SFC October Issue 2011

The October issue of

"Stories for Children Magazine "

 is out!

You can find some wonderful stories written and illustrated by talented people like

myself ;)  

"Mystery of the Grinning Skull"

 (10-12)

By: Andrew MacRae

illustrated by: Stephen Macquignon

Pen & Ink
buy a copy to see the color version

Frog’s Then & Now

As I still wait for my copies of “Ferdinand Frog’s Flight”

it has given me time to reflect on how far I have evolved as an artist.

 I had to dust off a very old portfolio for this first frog/toad it was done back in the 80’s; it also shows off my sense of humor the title is “Toad Stool” pen and ink with water color and color pencil

Toad Stool

The next one is a frog I never drew I just colored it, the title is "The Dancing Frog” it was an animation project done back in the day at Michael Sporn Animation Studio.  see (Clip)

.

The Dancing Frog

The third I must of done around 2004/05? Not sure also pen and ink with water color (Tree frog) this one was once part of a stock art company I did a little work for.

Tree Frog

 

The fourth “Who Let the Frogs Out?” illustration done in 2007? for Stories for Children Magazine.

Who Let The Frogs Out?

 Also from Stories for Children Magazine "The Surfing Frog" 2009/10?

The Surfing Frog

The sixth is from “The Giving Meadow” picture book I illustrated for 4RV Publishing in 2010

The Giving Meadow

And of course Ferdinand himself who wants to fly

 if the picture book looks anything likes the PDF I have seen it should be stunning to look at.

Ferdinand Frog's Flight

The 12th Annual SCBWI International Winter Conference

Well I am excited tomorrow starts SCBWI 12th International Winter Conference "two days chock-full of agents, editors, publishers, workshops and networking designed to rocket your writing and illustration to the next level."
I have never been to a conference before so I looking forward to see if the quote above is correct. = )

 Today I drop off  my artwork submission for the Art Showcase it is part of the conference you are allowed one piece (1) art matted and or framed and with a few other rules/ guidelines about size etc...

It was not easy to pick one piece of artwork over others, but there guidelines helped me chose.
One of my first choices was from "The Marshmallow Man" written by Rena Jones the illustration is a two page spread of the fox carrying the Marshmallow dude across the river, the second was also a two page spread from "The Giving Meadow" written by Stephanie Burkhart  it was of all the characters sleeping together (click here to see artwork). But do to size guidelines I thought that both would have lost some of there charm because they would have to be shrunk down to fit.
So I went with an older piece that fit the size requirements better and I felt it is what most Publishers and Editors look for when it comes to artwork submission.    
The title of the piece is called "Hide & Seek" originally published in Stories for Children Magazine March 2009 issue. I would like to thank Susan York Meyers who wrote the poem, allowing me to use her poem as it was originally seen with the artwork back in 2009

Thank You Stories for Children!

Katie's Creepy Christmas

by Mark Seline

December issue 2007

I would like to take a moment to say Thank You to Stories for Children Magazine and VS Grenier for giving me a chance when others didn't.

Back in 2007 I submitted samples of my artwork to VS Grenier the response was (not a direct quote) "Do you draw anything else besides dragons? Most of the stories we publish are about children." I sent what I had with kids not many maybe three and one of them I did back in the 80's.

I figured like other responses to my submission that was it, I will not hear from them again. But I was dead wrong I spent a year creating illustration after illustration for them (not one dragon) I became more confident in my self; The work I did for Stories for Children lead me to illustrating picture books for 4RV Publishing (still no dragons). Also one of the stories I illustrated for them "A Grand Dilemma" Won! the 2008 Best Artwork by Preditor & Editors Readers Poll.

It came to me as quite a shock when I received an email just before my holidays stated letting me know that "Right Know, the magazine division is closed to submissions and will only publishing issues out to March 2010." I was ensured that the magazine is only on HOLD for now and will return. Also that Stories for Children Publishing, LLC is still operating and will continue to do so.

So Thank You again Stories for Children for believing in me and allowing me to be part of a great family of Writers, Illustrators, Editors, and Art Directors. I look forward when you reopen your doors to new submissions.

Stephen