Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with Julie Rowan-Zoch, whose illustration debut, LOUIS, written by Tom Lichtenheld, is receiving rave reviews! I adore this book and I’m so excited to introduce you all to Julie’s work.
So without further ado, please welcome Julie Rowan-Zoch!
Where do you live?
In sunny northern Colorado! If I sound excited about the sun, it's because winter in CO has many sunny days, and especially this winter it will really come in handy for sanity!
When did you know you wanted to write/illustrate picture books?
I talked about it a lot when my kids were small, but finally put serious effort into it upon joining Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Picture Book Challenge in its inaugural year, 2012.
Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?
When I started out I naively assumed my drawing talents were good enough, so I set about learning how to write, first by reading (100 PBs/wk for 3 yrs!), then writing, then critiquing - I formed a crit-group locally, but I also used to belong to an online group. Very soon I realized how overconfident I was about my own illustration skills! That's about the time I started the practice of drawing daily. All elements were vital - especially the naiveté!! No joke! I started submitting to multiple agents, but my agent actually found me!
Can you share a bit about your process?
I try to start every day with a warm-up sketch which I post with birthday greetings for facebook friends. It allows me to draw with blithe abandon at least once every day, and almost all of my characters have developed directly from that exercise. All my illustration work is now done digitally, thanks to advice I got during a portfolio critique from illustrator Michael Garland in 2013. Never looked back! I use the Procreate app on an iPad for all the work, from sketches to finished art. Even some revisions for art on LOUIS were done in a hospital waiting room on the iPad.
Doll sketches by Julie Rowan-Zoch
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
Last month I actually wrote a short article about just that HERE, but it's the daily practice of drawing every day that really helps keep juices flowing. I post just about all of them on Instagram.
Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?
Quiet. Once I am in later stages of drawing, I do like to run a movie I have already seen just so that I might look up now and again. but for writing I would even prefer to be alone in the room - VERY quiet.
Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?
So many! And my taste varies widely. I keep a list of illustrators I like on my website, with links to theirs, but it's really just a drop in the bucket! Some of the picture book authors I admire off the top of my head are William Steig, Russell Hoban, Arnold Lobel, Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Julie Fogliano, Fannie Britt, Suzy Lee, and Michael Rosen.
Dream project to work on?
I would love to create a book for young people experiencing the hospital, as a patient or a visitor, that communicates the pain and sadness along with a BIG dose of humor and art.
Tell us about your debut book as an illustrator:
Louis the bear has had enough. From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry—literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!)
Early sketch for dedication/title page for LOUIS, written by Tom Lichtenheld, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch
Dummy page from LOUIS by Tom Lichtenheld, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch
This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all.
Character studies from LOUIS by Tom Lichtenheld, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch
What’s up next for you?
My author-illustrator debut is with HMH, I'M A HARE, SO THERE!, and releases in March 2021, and have hopefully completed all final revisions for the art. I will soon get to work on coloring/activity sheets and other graphics for social media for it. Otherwise, revising more stories to submit!
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
An Angel at My Table or Brazil or Room with a View? Sorry! Can't decide!
Huge thank you to Julie for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your fantastic debut!
Author, illustrator, bookseller, and activist: JULIE ROWAN-ZOCH grew up collecting freckles and chasing hermit crabs in NY, and spent years slicing rich breads in Germany before waking up to 300 days of blue Colorado skies. If she doesn’t answer the door, look in the garden!
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Julie online or follow her on social media:
Twitter @JulieRowanZoch
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of LOUIS, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LOUIS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 15th! US addresses only please.