open call for illustrators
Over the last several months I’ve been hard at work on a new book that is unlike anything I’ve ever written.
Full disclosure: this is an animal book with anthropomorphized animals like you’ll find in Charlotte’s Web and Watership Down.
More full disclosure: I never wanted to write a book like this. Not that animal books aren’t among the most memorable stories in English literature, but I never had the desire to write in the genre.
So what changed?
Well, let’s just say sometimes a writer is gifted with an idea by a Higher Power. When you’re called, you’re called, and you don’t make excuses. You just do it!
That said, I received the idea for this book, entitled Into What Splendor, way back in June. Funny thing is, I wrote the entire book over the course of an hour. That’s right… 1 hour! All the main ideas from start to finish. The cleanup work has taken a bit longer (written mostly in the snack shop of the local Sky Zone as my little ones bounced on trampolines to their hearts’ content), but I’m in the homestretch now.
This book is nearly complete. But it’s not completely complete. Not yet…
That’s where all of you come in. See, any good animal book is peppered with illustrations throughout the book. I looked far and wide for an illustrator to match what I had in mind, but I never got those goosebumps that tell me when I’m on to something good. Well, during my search I received another idea, and this one did give me goosebumps! Why not reach out to the good folks I’ve met at homeschool conventions and conferences over the years and see if your children would be interested in illustrating this book?
You heard me right: I’m searching for young artists who are willing to share their skills with the world by drawing pictures for my new book Into What Splendor.
By this point you’re probably wondering… what is this book about? As they say in the business, here’s the elevator pitch:
Into What Splendor is the story of a farm cat and a barn owl who wager on who will catch an elusive, pompous field mouse first. What follows changes their lives forever.
Into What Splendor is the story of a farm cat and a barn owl who wager on who will catch an elusive, pompous field mouse first. What follows changes their lives forever.
Now, if that sounds overly simplistic, think again. This is a deep story about life and death, friends and enemies, pride and regret, and a slew of learning about where each one of us fits into this sometimes crazy world.
Are there tears? Yes. Is there laughter? Yes! Are there a whole lot of gray areas where you might wonder if this character or that character did the right thing? Of course there are, because life is no different.
That said, Into What Splendor challenges kids and adults alike to consider the most important moments of life with fresh eyes, realizing that there’re always (at least) two sides to every story. Remember, King Solomon spoke of such things and he’s widely considered to be the second wisest man who ever lived.
Now, I’m not saying I’m as wise as King Solomon—not by a thousand miles—but I am saying a good story ought to challenge us to think big thoughts. And that’s what I’ve aimed to do with Into What Splendor.
So, after all my explaining, you’re probably wondering how you can help with these illustrations. Glad you asked!
See, I have in mind a total of 29 illustrations for the story. Maybe we hit that number, maybe it’s a little less. But the goal here is to give your kids a chance to draw pictures that capture the emotions of scenes from this book.
Are you game?
Are there tears? Yes. Is there laughter? Yes! Are there a whole lot of gray areas where you might wonder if this character or that character did the right thing? Of course there are, because life is no different.
That said, Into What Splendor challenges kids and adults alike to consider the most important moments of life with fresh eyes, realizing that there’re always (at least) two sides to every story. Remember, King Solomon spoke of such things and he’s widely considered to be the second wisest man who ever lived.
Now, I’m not saying I’m as wise as King Solomon—not by a thousand miles—but I am saying a good story ought to challenge us to think big thoughts. And that’s what I’ve aimed to do with Into What Splendor.
So, after all my explaining, you’re probably wondering how you can help with these illustrations. Glad you asked!
See, I have in mind a total of 29 illustrations for the story. Maybe we hit that number, maybe it’s a little less. But the goal here is to give your kids a chance to draw pictures that capture the emotions of scenes from this book.
Are you game?
If so, fill out the form below to submit illustrations for my new book, Into What Splendor. If you know other artistic kids who might want to try their hands at this, feel free to share this webpage with their parents.
The next step is for me to send everyone who responds a list of the scenes I’ve identified that should be illustrated for the book. I’ll take the best grayscale illustrations (sorry, no color drawings allowed) from the submissions and include them in the upcoming release of Into What Splendor. To protect the privacy of your kids, I will only include the first name, last initial, age, and home town alongside the illustrations.
And to show my appreciation, I will send each artist selected for inclusion in the book an autographed, first-edition, hardcover copy of Into What Splendor!
You might be asking… what if I want to sketch more than one scene. Can I do that?
Of course you can!
And if your illustrations are chosen for different scenes, you will receive an autographed copy of the book for each illustration chosen! Might make for unforgettable gifts to the grandparents, if you hear what I’m saying!
What’s more, everyone who submits an illustration will receive a digital copy (Kindle and eBook) of Into What Splendor, regardless of whether or not their drawings are chosen for the book.
The deadline for submitting illustrations is November 24, 2021, so we don't have long to turn this thing around.
Keep in mind we’re not looking for Mona Lisa’s here, but sketches that capture the essence—the heart of the scenes.
Don’t be frightened by this timeline, dear children. Remember, I wrote down the bones of this book in one hour and I suspect most of the winning illustrations will be drawn in about as much time.
I hate to wish anyone luck in this world, knowing that luck is a fickle thing, so I wish all of you best success with your illustrations! Just fill out the form below to get started. Let’s create something great together!
All the best,
Jack
Of course you can!
And if your illustrations are chosen for different scenes, you will receive an autographed copy of the book for each illustration chosen! Might make for unforgettable gifts to the grandparents, if you hear what I’m saying!
What’s more, everyone who submits an illustration will receive a digital copy (Kindle and eBook) of Into What Splendor, regardless of whether or not their drawings are chosen for the book.
The deadline for submitting illustrations is November 24, 2021, so we don't have long to turn this thing around.
Keep in mind we’re not looking for Mona Lisa’s here, but sketches that capture the essence—the heart of the scenes.
Don’t be frightened by this timeline, dear children. Remember, I wrote down the bones of this book in one hour and I suspect most of the winning illustrations will be drawn in about as much time.
I hate to wish anyone luck in this world, knowing that luck is a fickle thing, so I wish all of you best success with your illustrations! Just fill out the form below to get started. Let’s create something great together!
All the best,
Jack