Celebrating ALL your Books

as ALL our books are someone's favorite book.

Warning Sappy Post….

This has been an amazing year for me as a creator, and I just have to really, truly, celebrate it. Because, I've always struggled with accepting praise.
Especially when it comes to my art.
Since, I always have loved to ZAG.
While many were zigging, I was on my own zagging for a long time.

And when you zag, you have to shut yourself down to naysayers.
As people will think you are confused when you are attempting something new. Especially in Art.
They will try to right your course, but you have to hold fast to your beliefs.

And that takes a toll on you.
You develop thick skin, as you grow accustomed to just listening to what you believe. YOUR VOICE.
And it's a lot of picking yourself up, and moving forward again, again and again.
It's been a long and hard journey to where I'm at right now.
Success seems to be happening very fast for me lately,
but I try to remember how long, and difficult the path has has been to get here.
I don't want to lose that grit of getting back up,
as I enter this new phase where people are loving my work.

Instead, I’m trying at this point to hold on to who I am,
yet hold just as tightly to this WONDERFUL praise, which will excel me forward.
I know I need to squirrel it away for future lulls.
As there is always tough seasons in any artist’s career,
and I'll need this treasure chest to keep moving forward.

So CELEBRATE with me some of my happy moments for that chest this year…..

My debut Picture Book as an Author went to Auction in the Spring!
Amazing, but honestly the best part of it all was talking to so many Editors, and Art Directors who loved my writing and artwork. The meetings, and letters they sent me meant so-so-so-soooooooo much to me!
Now, whenever I feel imposter syndrome creeping, I just think of the auction, and start to float. I'll probably do a longer post about it one day, and so much GRACIAS to my agent for leading the charge. I’m sure I don't know even half of what he did to support me during the auction, but I DO know how hard he worked with pushing me to show my best work. For now, I will say it was the most difficult decision of my life choosing between so many amazing publishing houses, and I still keep the love letters tied around my heart.

I’m an AUTHOR NOW!
Honestly, I’ve considered myself a real author since I was 5 years old.

AUTHOR!!!

As YOU ARE AN AUTHOR the minute you decide to sit down at a desk, and write. But there is something magical about knowing you have a publishing team behind you, and that your book is about to be in so many kid’s hands.
AND THE DRAWINGS AND THE WRITING IS MEEEEEE!

Starting to regularly do school visits and getting the experience of talking to 20 students to even 500 students at once. And I'm really good at it! If you’d like me to visit and experience what has been described as pure un-cut JOY, send me a message!

Being featured at the Texas Book Festival! I had so much fun, and felt so appreciated. Please have me back every time forever, and ever!

And then check out how much appreciation Jesús Trejo and my book
Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock got this year!!

So I want to end this post by saying...

LAST YEAR, I was on absolutely NO Best Book lists.
And I remember being awkwardly told there was not really any good reviews by someone talking to me about my debut book as an illustrator. YIKES!!
BUTT, I've been told since then by many people that they LOVE that book.
I was asked to sign it again this year at Book Festivals, and other events!

QUICK KID! Grab GOLDIE before she’s all SOLD OUT!!!

And you know what? I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
I LOVE IT JUST AS MUCH AS MY NEW BOOK, and whatever books the future holds for me.

And what is even more important to remember is that any book you make will become SOMEONE’S FAVORITE BOOK.
Don't look to anyone else to tell you what is a good book.
Just picture some kid holding your book, loving your book,
and that will always be enough.
It certainly more than enough for me. :)

Have a wonderful Holiday season,
and I’ll see you with my treasure chest in the New Year!

PS
What’s in your Treasure Chest?
Let’s celebrate in the comments!
(And the best brownie of your life certainly always counts with ELIZA!)