Do you know how to build a mailing list? and Award

I am going to send out my first mailer in the next month or so, but before I do that I need to create a mailing list.

Back in January during the regional SCBWI conference, speakers emphasized the need to do your homework and be accurate when sending post cards or a package. Include the name of the AD or editor receiving the mailer and personalize the letters.

I wanted to pose a question to my readers that actively market themselves. How do you find current information for publishers? Is there a magic quick way of doing this? Or is this as painful and tedious as I think it might be… finding publishers and going on their web sites to find a number to call. Then calling and asking who’s the AD and the editor. Is this how everyone does it?  How do you do it? How do you compile the info and do you use a specific software to store all the data?

I would love to know!!!! 

I also want to let you know how much I appreciate every bit of info you can provide. Thanks for sharing! 

On a separate note, I wanted to thank Monica and Andrea for this award. I am so honored. They are so talented! Their work was most recently published on the cover of 'Night of the Crabs'. Please check it out when you can.

Here are few rules if you accept the award

Feel free to deliver this award to eight other people

(or as many bloggers you would like) and include the

following text with the award on your site.

" These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.

They are not interested in self aggrandizement.

Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,

even more friendship are propagated.

Please give more attention to these writers."

My list is:

Nicole

Candace 

Aja

Heather

Addrianne

Vanessa

Phyllis

Kathleen

Carli

I would like to keep going as there are so many artists that I admire and find inspire me, but I feel I must stop for the sake of time.

My good friend Annie started her blog Hip Organic Mama not too long ago and already she has a strong following, and rightly so! Her blog is a wonderful resource for mom's trying to provide a healthier lifestyle to their families while being greener to our planet. 

She was kind enough to award me the Kreativ Blogger award, and I feel so honored as she is a wonderful inspiration. When I had my kids she inspired me to make healthier choices for my family. I've also learned a recipe or two from her. She is really fantastic. Please take the time to check out her blog!

Oh, right ... I need to nominate 10 people, but since I think all of my blogging friends are so creative... I nominate everyone on my 'Blogs I Read' list. Go ahead, take a peak... you'll find some amazing artwork!

On another note, I finally joined the SCBWI! 

Have a great weekend!

Edrian

Color Study and Award

Here's a color study for an old illustration friday post. I feel I am falling behind with my illustration fridays. I have this one, and the one from this week to paint. I also have another sketch to paint, and three new books to read on illustration. Yet, I don't have enough time for all of it. I think I need to organize myself a little and re-prioritize. 

Also, the wonderfully talented Roberta has given me this award. Roberta is such a source of inspiration. I visit her blog regularly. Her stories are full of humor and life and her illustrations are always wonderful!

I am supposed to list 7 things I love and pass this along to 7 very creative bloggers:

My list:

1. My husband and my two kids who love me just as much as I do!
   
2. My mother and my in-laws who are always wonderful with me!
   
3. My friends. On line, off line, close by, and far away.
   
4. My art! I love to create. It's part of who I am!
   
5. A good home cooked meal (not necessarily cooked by me)
   
6. Buying art supplies. I enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes and purses too, but I love art supplies!
   
7. Love to feel happy. 
   

I tag:

Nicole

Bella 

Alicia

Diana

Deborah

Heather

Tiddly Inks

SWEETEST BLOG AWARD EVER!

I was surprised this week by my very talented blogging friend Diana Evans who gave me this Sweet and scrumptious award! This award is so beautiful and colorful, it makes me want to eat a cupcake! Be sure to check out her work!

In her own words:

"I am giving this award to all the wonderful people that I visit almost every day....they have inspired me and shared their wonderful lives with all of us....
I only ask that you nominate some of the wonderful people you visit each and every day...."

And the award goes to.......

• Nicole Merkens
• Bella Sinclair
• Tom Barret
• Krisztina Maros 
• Kathleen Rietz
• Ms. Froggie
• Nina Seven
• Deborah Mori
• Claudine Hellmuth

An Award!

What a great day! I was surprised by the very talented and kind Diana Evans who makes the most delicious digital cupcakes ever! (among other things). Her blog is so neat, I'm a fan myself!

Since I have to nominate 7 other blogs, I will start with some VERY talented artists and some of my favorite reads:

• Diana's (right back at you girl!) followed by:

• Nicole Merkens for always being such a wonderful friend off-line and on-line!

• Bella Sanclair whos given me such wonderful words of support since she found my blog

• Dani Jones for having such cool tutorials and putting so much effort into her blog. 

My last three nominees are people who's work I admire and who visit my blog on a regular basis... 

• Kathleen Rietz
• Eric Barclay, and
• Andi Butler.
  
  I could go on and mention more wonderful people that I have had the pleasure to contact through my blog, but then I would not finish today...and I want to get back to my illustration...

The rules are:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated
I'm passing this award on to these wonderful and talented blog friends....I pop by their blogs almost daily for some inspiration....