Preview of "Prairie Storms" by Sylvan Dell Publishing

This is the spread I created for the month of September in the upcoming picture book "Prairie Storms", by Sylvan Dell Publishing.  The book is due for release in 2011.  I am enjoying illustrating this book IMMENSELY!

A nice review... and a teaching moment

I am always happy to see great reviews for books and when they happen to be for authors for whom I have illustrated, I am even happier.  Here is a great review for Flying Poodles, A Christmas Story.  Karen Morss is the talented Renaiassance Woman who created the story.

Karen's own personal story is just as exciting and entertaining.

I was able to include the northern lights in some of the illustrations.  My mother grew up north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. Her stories about the Aurora Borealis always intrigued me.  I did visit Alaska, but only in the summer, so I have never seen these first hand, but hopefully I will return to either Norway or Alaska and view them for myself.

Life is happening
I must go away
To get some peace and solace
Just sometime to lay
Around and rest while
To strengthen my weary soul
I'll come back refreshed
and ready to go
Just wanted to let everyone know that I have
to take a break and catch my breathe. Get
a second wind. I wish each one of You a
a very Happy and blessed Holiday Season
Looking for good things in the New Year too!
Peace,
Vanessa Brantley-Newton

What came first? The children's book or the calendar?

Long before I had dreams of targeting the children's book market, I dabbled in the calendar market. You see, back in the early 90's calendars were all the rage. So I came up with a silly golf character, entitled it Shank A Muligan's Golf and sent out 43 sample copies to 43 various publishers. I waited for 6 months and eventually got back 44 rejection letters. Yep. 44 when I only sent out 43. One publisher reeeaaaalllly wanted to make sure that I knew they weren't interested so they sent me two rejection letters. That aside, I eventually did sell the Shank calendar and it did really well.

During this same time frame I came up with an additional calendar concept about my favorite sport--- Bicycling. For some reason I didn't push as hard as I did with my Golf concept and it didn't sell. But years later here it is!!! My style has certainly changed but I still enjoy some of the concepts. If you're interested, check out all 12 illustrations at http://www.zazzle.com/retro_biking_calendar-158316781644169417

Shhhh! We're sleeping!

Here's a peek at my first book coming out in the spring of 2011!