An Illustrious Illustrator is Initiated...

Initiated into what? Where? Who is this illustrator?

Each of those the right questions to ask, my dear friend. I will answer the "who" after the "what" and "where".

What exactly do I need an illustrator for? For my children's picture book, Marty the Mailroom Monster. The story is about a monster that lives in mailboxes. He helps hand out mail to his friends. I finished the writing process, so finding an illustrator was next on my list.

After searching through pages and pages on Instagram, I came across Julie. Her style of illustration is #whimsical and playful, two qualities I was looking for in illustrations. I also loved the darker tone in some of them. I struck up a conversation with her and....here we are.

We made a deal.

The light is green and we are ready to go!

If you had asked me a year ago if I would be here, I would definitely have answered, "No way!" I was very much stuck in the mentally of, well, being stuck. I felt trapped in my career as a nurse, but felt like I couldn't pursue my passion to some day get out of nursing. I still feel bad from time to time that I am on the road to being happy and an unconventional day to day life, but I have been working hard to push those thoughts aside. Just because I am doing something I love doesn't mean I am working any less. I have been working pretty much nonstop since I have been #writing. I have been working in the hospital and then on my "off" days writing. It doesn't feel like work because I love it. I never thought that I would be here creating a book, but I am so appreciative that I have this opportunity!

Anyway, back to the illustrator!

I guess I sort of went over the "who", "what", and the "where"-ish. I connected with Julie on Instagram, but she lives in Minsk, Belarus. Thank goodness for technology. You're welcome....because I am sure I just saved a few of you from pulling out a map. I will probably post a Q&A with her soon, a s well, so if you have any specific questions for her, send them on over to my contact page.

I am excited for the next part of this book journey and working with Julie. Thank you for coming along on the ride with me! I will keep you all updated on the process, preorders, and a publish date.

I am shooting for late November/early December.

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Until next time,

K.M.