Publishing News!

[MirkaH]

I wanted to jump in, and share the awesome news! I started here about 5 years ago, with almost no knowledge of picture book illustration (I did the PB class with Lilla Rogers before joining here). I've figured a few things out since then, including how to write picture books, and today we officially announced my debut author-illustrated 2-book deal with Candlewick. It's so rewarding to finally be able to make a post like this, and I wanted to tell everyone to keep with it, and keep climbing, you can do it.

[NessIllustration]

@MirkaH Congrats!!! Also "Kitty and Cat" sounds like my kind of book! I can't wait to read it!

[HeatherBouteneff]

Congrats! That little white cat, I can't stop looking at him.
Candlewick has such great taste, so many times I've been like "this is so fun, who is the publisher- of course Candlewick." I really love almost everything they print

[bridgetbick]

Congrats! So nice to hear!

[Larue]

Congratulations. That's quite the accomplishment! Looks like this will be an adorable book!

[carlianne]

@MirkaH that’s so exciting congrats!!

Did you take classes for writing children’s books? Wondering if you can suggest some good ones if so

[Melissa_Bailey]

@MirkaH congratulations!!!

[Neha Rawat]

@MirkaH Congratulations! This is so exciting!

[sarahlovellart]

@MirkaH this is amazing big news ! Congratulations 🥳 hope I get there too one day ....

[Jeremy Ross]

Congratulations @MirkaH! I love seeing success stories from SVS!

[xin li]

Huge congratulations! @MirkaH

[MirkaH]

@HeatherBouteneff Yes, I am super excited to be working with them.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@MirkaH YAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!! congratulations!!!!

[MirkaH]

@carlianne Yes I did. I joined SCBWI and Storyteller Academy. SCBWI has lots of webinars/conferences/professional critique opportunities, and they have the opportunity to connect to PB creators on a local level through regional chapters. I have done a lot of their events over the years and volunteered, and have met so many great people through them. Storyteller Academy is like SVS learn, but for writing picture books. There are classes for illustrating too, so if you want to do both, I found it really helpful. They also have some great teachers just like SVS, and Ask-me-anything sessions from agents/editors/art directors. If you can only join one. I'd say join SCBWI now and plug into your local chapter, then save some money and wait for the huge thanksgiving event that Storyteller Academy does and join them then.

[Kevin Longueil]

https://www.storytelleracademy.com/blog/success-stories-mirka-hokkanen I found this on the Storyteller Academy site’s blog - definitely worth reading

[davidhohn]

This is excellent! Congratulations!

[Jacy13]

@MirkaH Congratulations! I love the two kitties. They are adorable

[BradAYoo]

Congratulations!! So cool to hear a success story. I'll be waiting in line to read your book!

[MirkaH]

@Kevin-Longueil said in Publishing News!:

https://www.storytelleracademy.com/blog/success-stories-mirka-hokkanen

It feels like ages ago when we did that interview! I now work with another agent, have another book finished (coming out next month), the baby is 3 years, 2 book deals, a GN going out on submission this month, and I've started doing freelance and licensing work this year. A really good look back at how far I came since then.

[Mara Price]

@MirkaH You did it! Congratulations!