Jake Parker, the creator of Inktober and World Art Drop Day, has worked on everything from animated films to comic books to picture books.
In today’s episode we talk about Jake’s forthcoming picture book, Little Bot and Sparrow, and the many forms it took on it’s long road to publication.
We also discuss the difference between self publishing and traditional publishing, and one important key to succeeding in either market…
Listen to ‘Stories Unbound’ Episode 8:
[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]
Awesome Links:
Society of Visual Storytelling
Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin
What Do You Think?
Jake explains how he trained to climb the tallest mountain in Utah by going on many short hikes.
He compares these short hikes to the small projects we need to do that will eventually shape our larger career goals.
What are the “mini hikes” you’ve taken on your creative journey?
Very interesting interview!
The number of social media followers that you need was incredibly good info! I’m currently working on building up my social media following.
One thing I’m curious about, how does he handle all the social media he does? He’s everywhere!…twitter, tumblr, snapchat…etc. Plus he’s doing events too!
How does he handle that? I have a Twitter for my book and I’d like to expand into Facebook and Instagram, but it’s a lot of time out of the day. Does he use IFTTT?
As far as taking little steps to get somewhere. I started to wake up earlier, not to make art in the morning because I’m a zombie before 9am, but to go into work earlier. I give my boring job my zombie hours and have a longer, more creative afternoons to myself now 😀
I’m also going to the zoo once a week now that it’s warmer. I always get a few things to post on social media and its good to practice from life.
Thanks again!
Hi Sarah!
I don’t know how Jake handles all his Social Media. That’s a great question!
That’s great that you have figured out when to do the work that’s boring but necessary, and how to allow yourself more time to work at the times when you have more energy. It’s interesting how everyone works on a different sort of time clock, and we all have to figure out when we do our best work.
I think that’s awesome that you are able to go to the zoo once a week to draw animals and to post to your social media more often. It sounds like you’re taking your mini hikes in the right direction. Thanks for listening and for commenting, Sarah! It’s great to hear from you!
Another very inspiring interview!
I need to take a page out of Jake’s book and stay active on my social media. I have a miniature sketchbook planner that I draw in every day, but I rarely post the day’s doodles because I’m not sure anyone will like them. But maybe I should start doing that…
About little “hikes”, hmm. Well, I exhibit at a few comic cons a year, so I always try and produce new work for those! Granted, a lot of it’s fanart for series I’m a fan of, but I’m determined to show off my original stuff too. And slowly I’m starting to see certain people come back each year, and then some people even buy my original stuff, which is really cool! As far as staying productive, with my day job, I unfortunately can’t make my own schedule. So I’ve had to learn to manage my evenings that I’m off work so that I still can do art during the week and not just push everything off for the weekend! Stuff like drawing thumbnails for projects while I’m waiting for files to load at work, or sketching during my lunch breaks so that I’m excited to work on art when I get home instead of lay around, haha.
Thanks again for another episode! 😀
Hi Casey,
It’s so hard to be consistent on social media. But I do think it would be great for you to share at least some of your sketches that you do every day! Do it!
I think it’s so great that you are making an effort to draw during waiting times and on lunch breaks. Those are definitely the mini hikes that are going to help propel your career forward. Keep it up!
This podcast was really helpful, and just what I needed right now as finished making my second kids book (self publishing for now). It makes me feel like I am on the track in many ways, I just need patience. It also allowed me to see ways in which I can improve – such as more consistent social media posts. Thank you so much for sharing this content. Looking forward to listening to more in the future.
Amanda
Amanda-
That’s awesome about your picture book. Good luck on the social media and publishing process. Jake always has great insights into that. I’m so glad you found this episode helpful! Thanks for listening!
I’ve been following JP for a while now and very excited to hear more of his insights relating to children’s books. Very talented and hardworking guy. Keep up the work with Stories Unbound, I’m always waiting for a new episode!
Thanks so much, Rabbleboy! I’m so glad to hear you’re always looking forward to a new episode! Jake really ins so hard working and inspiring, isn’t he?! Thanks so much for commenting and listening!
Shawna,
I’ve been so behind on seeing what you and the Oatley academy are up to. I truly do love what you all do. I need to make sure to tune in more when I’m on a project and can listen.
Can I just say, I’ve only known you from your pictures and posts on Social media, but now after hearing your voice, I’m like hey, She really sounds like what I imagined! HAHA, so random, but really your voice really does match your personality that comes through on social media.
I’ll admit I was super motivated to tune in when I saw that Jake was your guest, I have really been enamored with his work and his experience always gives me hope in my artistic path.
It’s amazing to hear that really it was a concerted 10 year process for him to go from doing work at studios and for clients to get to where he could fully support his family, himself, and career as an independent freelance. He gave such wonderful advice.
My big take aways from your interview with Jake would probably be – Be personal in how you interact with followers (future fans) on Social Media, SHARE SHARE SHARE what you are doing, and prioritize projects that will get you to where you want to be!
I’ve been working on a Graphic Novel Project, Expiration Date, for nearly 5 years now, with a writer, and we are nearing the completion of the Project, and I’m so stoked for it: http://wileyillustration.com/expiration-date-motion-graphic-trailer/
I’ve got a few other projects that have going/in development; EXODUS – A Steampunk Tale is one of my big ones. Also doing my Cardboard sketches; I’ve been planning to do those more for comic conventions and open an Etsy shop based on them. I have so many ideas and concepts, it’s just figuring out which ones will really work the way that helps my career and that I can maintain the passion through the whole process. It’s always great to hear from you, Jake, and so many others, on how to make those choices and be more effective/efficient with your art.
Thanks again, Shawna.
Lee!
So great to hear from you! I love that you told me my voice matches my art and social media presence. haha!
I’m so glad you tuned in for Jake’s episode. And… you can always go back and listen to other episodes you missed whenever you want. 😉 😉
Jake is always inspiring me with how much he shares shareable work. I really need to up my game! But it’s important to remember to just take it one baby step at a time and not get overwhelmed.
It’s great to hear about the things you are working on. The trailer for Expiration Date looks awesome! It sounds like you’re taking lots of great mini hikes to build your big career. Keep up the awesome work! And thanks for listening and commenting!
Absolutely, I gotta dive in to past episodes and see all the good stuff that you’ve been up to 🙂
This was great!
I’ve been following Jake Parker for a while now.
I normally focus on puppets, but I work as an illustrator, so this was super helpful. This summer I’m collaborating with a first-time writer in a self-publishing adventure.
Little hikes I’ve taken in puppetry…
First I just decided to make a puppet and use it, a lot.
Then I went to a festival, then I made some more puppets and started to post them online. Then I went to a professional puppet workshop and the roller coaster really got started. I’ve been auditioning and learning so much since then.
And I perform my personal project this Friday! Yikes!
Hi Jennifer,
I love puppets! I don’t make them, but I collect them, and I love to give them personalities!
Very cool to hear about your collaboration project! I’m sure Jake’s advice for self-publishing with really come in handy!
It’s fun to hear some of the mini hikes you’ve been taking to reach your big career goals. Where do you want to perform with your puppets? Is your performance on Friday going to be online, or somewhere local? It’s great to hear what you’ve been up to! Good luck with your goals! Thanks for listening and leaving a comment!
Yes, Jake’s advice was very helpful!
I’m performing at a church down in Tampa. I wrote the show specifically for their event and it’s been really fun. Hard and tiring, but fun.
I will post a video or two online once it’s over.
That’s awesome, Jennifer! You’ll do great! Good luck with you performance!
Thanks!
Such a great podcast! This interview delves into honest, real-world specifics of the children’s book industry that you vary rarely hear from anybody. It’s hard to plan your career goals when you don’t really know how long things will take. If you’re planning to be a children’s book illustrator, this is one you need to listen to.
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you so much! I’m so glad the interview was helpful to you, and I hope many other people! Yes, it is good to know how long picture books actually take to make and how to supplement your income with other sources. Thanks for listening!
Superb Interview! I love his advice about growing an audience, my problem is that animation and my personal projects are so demanding/time-consuming, that I don’t have something to share online every day. I’d be lucky to release new content month to month.
Maybe at some point I should do a something-a-day marathon again so I can build my audience. Maybe someday I can do personal projects full time. What a dream. 🙂
I definitely have a hard time sharing on social media, so you’re not alone. But… you’re taking the mini hikes, and I have every confidence that you will one day be able to work on personal projects full time! 😀
Yeah, speaking of short hikes, I had the chance to take a break from my large projects and do a short hand drawn animation with Von Gold from Vanishing Ink. I’ll be sharing that in a few days!
Woo! That’s awesome! I can’t wait to see it!!!
Another awesome interview Shawna, very inspiring!
I am finding Jake really clear, I don’t doubt he is a good teacher!
The baby steps approach was very interesting and requires a lot of patience, discipline and failure, rare and valuable skills…
I really enjoyed his theory on the number on followers you need to self publish and I guess this justifies his overwhelming social media activity. But he totally embraced the contemporary tools, that is awesome and inspiring. He seems to be very professional, in the management of himself. Maybe that is what you need to show on social media: illustrating, painting, writing, creating, actually requires a lot of work!
I am in a similar position than a lot of people here: I am juggling between a day job and my passion for creation but I don’t mind as I know that I am slowly progressing towards the goal I have. And I am therefore satisfied when I take the time to draw or paint. I also have a young family that I want to spend time with, I just found a good balance at the moment and it feels good. I have accepted that it will take time and that acknowledgement removes some of the pressure that I used to put on myself 😉
Anyway, keep it up, love the show!
ps to myself: give up on Linkedin and get yourself an instwitttumblram account 😉
Hi Cesar,
I’m so glad you liked the episode and found it inspiring! Jake definitely has what it takes to be a phenomenal teacher!
That’s a great thing to point out, that the baby steps take patience and discipline. I’m glad you have found a good balance between work, personal drawing and painting time and family. It’s always a big balancing act. I think it’s great that you have come to accept the fact that building a successful art career takes time. There are many artists that have a hard time accepting this. I know there’s many times that I have a hard time with this myself!
Thanks so much for listening and commenting!
Another excellent interview, I enjoyed a lot!!!
I have never thought Jake Parker also work as a children books illustrator. I knew about him two years ago because of Inktober, but now I have a new book in my library!!!
After this interview I realised that I have to improve more the social media, maybe to create an artist facebook page; I also have twitter and instagram, but I don’t use them a lot, maybe I have to spend some time there.
I love the advise to make a goal for publish, I will try this also 😀
Thanks Shawna for interviewing him, this guy is very inspirational.
Micsy!
Yes, indeed. Jake is very inspiring! I’m glad to hear that listening to this interview has motivated you to post to your social media more. It has motivated me too! My advice is to make a goal on one platform at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Good luck in your social media endeavors! Thanks again for listening and for leaving a comment!
Wow that was a great podcast, great questions and answers! Very inspiring!
One thing I was wondering, Jake mentions he has an editor, is that the same thing as having an agent?
Hi Asta,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the episode!
An editor and an agent are actually two different people- and Jake has both.
An agent is someone who finds work for you- art reps can find illustration work for you, or literary agents can send your manuscripts out to publishers to find work. So an agent is sort of like a match-maker. They also do things like negotiate contracts for you etc.
An editor is someone who works at the publishers who you work with after you have a contract to publish a book with their company. An editor works with you on editing your story, and if you’ve done both the writing and the illustrating on a book project, they will often work with you on both your story and your illustrations to get them ready to be published.
I hope this helps clarify things for you a little bit. Thanks for listening!
Thanks for the interview Jake and Shawna!!! I love the small steps to a bigger goal. It totally works and makes everything feel more attainable! Also, so great to hear Jake’s experience and advice with self publishing and traditional publishing. Thanks for all the info (and thanks for Inktober)!
As far as my “mini hikes,” I would say participating in things like Inktober and #the100dayproject. I love the sense of community with those projects and it’s good to have that daily goal. Since my day job is in the technical side of animation, my free time is spent doing more creative work, and the daily goals help feed that need to do some creative work.
Thanks again!
Brianne-
Inktober is great, isn’t it? I’m so glad you’re taking advantage of these awesome challenges to help move your career forward! Keep up the awesome work. Thanks for listening!
I got really busy in the first half of this year which really derailed my personal project. However, I did not want to let it die so I used Post-it Notes and kept sketching ideas and saving them in my sketchbook whenever I could at work. This method kept my project not from totally dying.
That’s my current Little Hike that I can think of.
“At least post once a month.” That’s extremely encouraging for me. One year tried to post a small drawing each day and I think I failed. Ha ha. But I hate to admit that it discouraged me a little from posting because I thought I had to do it often. I am going to try this once a month posting and take it from there. I just forgot that consistency and not how many times is the key.
It was pretty cool to hear from Mr. Inktober himself. I did my first one last year and I am gunning for it this year too. I even have an idea! Thanks for the excellent interview, I’m not even eyeing Children;s Books but I learned a lot today.
Manny-
I really like your idea of using post-it notes or any little means to keep your project going. I often have the tendency to just completely stop working on my personal project when I get too busy. When this happens I can really feel the absence of that personal project release in my life. So I’m glad you’ve been able to keep your project going through the busy times.
I think it’s so important to start out small- such as in posting once a month. To set small goals and make small habits at first and then work up to bigger things. I’m happy to hear that this encouraged you.
I’m so glad you listened even though you’re not doing children’s books. I think all of us artists- in any field that we’re pursuing have so much to share with each other and learn from each other. Jake certainly has a very multifaceted career- he’s involved in many different areas in art, which is part of what makes him such an awesome teacher. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Yeah, I agree. And you never really know what field you’ll land on. And no problem. Keep up the good work.