“Monsters Are Go!” (with the exclamation point intact)
The Next Big Thing is a global blog tour, started in Australia, to showcase authors and illustrators and their current work. I was tagged by the super rad Wilson Williams Jr! After I answer the interview questions, I’ll pass the Q&A along to two others who’ll pick up the tour and have their Next Big Thing’s posted by June 6th, 2013.
My Next Big Thing is actually an old idea that went through a bunch of changes over the years until now. So here’s what I’m working on…
1) What is the working title of your next book?
“Monsters Are Go!” (with the exclamation point intact)
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
Simply put, the idea came out of the feelings I had when I was considered a freak by my peers, when I was a punk rock kid who didn’t conform to the status quo.
3) In what genre does your book fall?
Its a Rock-N-Roll fantasy picture book.
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This would have to be an animated movie and since this is a fantasy question, here’s my fantasy answer for what I hear their voices sounding like:
He definitely sounds like Henry Winkler as The Fonz!
This character is voiced by a young Joan Jett.
This one was a no brainer! This character is voiced by Sterling Holloway.
This guy most definitely sounds like a very young Peter Robbins from back when he did the voice for Charlie Brown and hadn’t grown up to be a criminal.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Kip Wilson, born with a tail, was the loneliest Rock-N-Roller in town until he met a band of totally rad monsters.
6) Who is publishing your book?
This is yet to be determined. I’m at the stage in this project where I’m ready to start work on a dummy book to submit to publishers. My agent has already done some ground work talking to some publishers about it, but I am prepared to self publish if need be.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
I actually don’t remember. The first draft was written in 2005 as a 96 page all ages comic book (I hate the graphic novel term). Its been written and re-written so many times that I have lost count and has had many false starts since then as well. The final written story barely resembles the original version and is better for it. Its now a picture book akin to a Little Golden Book.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That’s tough… “Where The Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak is all that’s coming to mind.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My Dad.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
I didn’t just write this book for children, but also for Rock-N-Roll parents who are like me. I know they will be reading it multiple times with their kids and I don’t want it to be like a lot of the bland pap that clutters children’s book shelves at bookstores these days.
Additionally, I’ll be releasing some music to go along with the book as if the monster’s band played it. Click here for a preview of one of their instrumentals.
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That’s it! Now its time to tag two other rad and talented people. Please stop by the following blogs Thursday, June 6th, 2013 for their Next Big Thing:
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Here’s a pin-up illustration, of Batgirl, I finished over the weekend.
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Hey Illustrators! Wanna know how to to get clients without doing any promotion or marketing? Its easy! Here’s how I do it:
See?! Easy.
