Getting Published: My “tail” by James Horvath

“Will Terry’s video series played a key role in helping me get my first book ready to submit to a publisher”

I wrote to Will Terry thanking him for his video series How to Illustrate Children’s Books. His video series played a key role in helping me get my first book ready to submit to a publisher. The course outlined everything I needed to know about creating and submitting my book, and his real-world experience and knowledge gave me the confidence to finally go for it.

Dig, Dogs, Dig available at amazon.com

 

“How did an unknown author/illustrator sign a 3-book contract in under a week?”

I’ve often been asked, “How did an unknown author/illustrator get a book dummy to a major publisher, have them actually look at it, and sign a 3-book contract in under a week?” Good question.

I realize my success is fairly rare, like finding a cache of pirate gold buried in your back yard, or getting quick and friendly service at the DMV, but, it’s not impossible to do what I did. And I am not someone who has a brother or a sister-in-law working in the publishing industry. What I am, is someone who did his “homework”.

So unless you actually have friends, relatives or somebody high up in the publishing world, you’ll need to do your homework too. And the videos and tutorials on FolioAcademy.com are a great place to start.

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Folio Academy Student, James Horvath, Gets an Art Gig

It all started with Will Terry’s first art lesson video course

How to Illustrat Children's books

 Words can’t begin to describe thfeelings I’ve had over the past few years since making my first video tutorial: “How To Illustrate Children’s Books”. I’ve received hundreds of letters, emails, Facebook messages, etc thanking me for making that video and the subsequent videos I made afterwards. I get to chat with people everyday about their enthusiasm and renewed energy for working on their art projects. I find myself wanting to produce more and more video courses for my students around the world.

More Courses by Artist, Will Terry

James Horvath shared a wonderful thank you letter and a short success story.

With permission from James Horvath I’m sharing his letter because it really touched me yesterday – I’m glad I was home alone so my kids didn’t see me get all mushy. My emotions come from the leftover feelings I have growing up in the shadow of academic over achievers in my family and thinking that I would never be able to do anything important with my life. There really isn’t anything better in life than knowing you make a difference – so I thank all of you for the kind words you’ve sent me in the past few years! ~Will Terry

 

Hey Will

 

 It’s been a while since I downloaded and watched your video series, “How to Illustrate Children’s Books“. I just wanted to write to you and let you know how well your course has worked for me. 
 
I’ve been a freelance children’s illustrator for many years. I worked primarily in the education market doing work for Scholastic, Pearson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and a few others. And while I’ve enjoyed some modest success, I always wanted to write and illustrate my own children’s picture books.
 
About a year and a half ago I decided to get off my butt and actually do it, instead of just dreaming about it. I found your video course online and decided to spring for the $29.99.
 
I developed my story, worked on some sketches and sample art, basically, followed your process and submitted my dummy (an email with a PDF) to one publisher. A test run so to speak. I braced myself for the almost inevitable rejection that I was sure would soon follow. 
 
Instead, within 24 hours, I received a response with a very enthusiastic reply. That was on a Tuesday. By the end of the week I had a 3-book deal with HarperCollins Publishers. My first book comes out on April 30th. And is up for pre-orders at practically all major on-line retailers.
 
I just wanted to send you this note and say, “Thanks”. I really do credit you and your course with outlining a path for my success. I would, and often do, highly recommend your video series to anyone looking to break into the children’s book market.
 
Thanks again!
James Horvath

Check out his work.
 

Congratulations James

– I can’t wait to buy your books when they come out and to brag that I might have played a tiny part in their creation. It’s been a crazy ride with our Folio Academy project.