I was excited to have the chance to interview Beegee Topla. She is the very talented illustrator behind THE WINNIE YEARS series’ covers and has illustrated picture books, such as EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU and THE SMALLEST TREE. Middle Grade Mafia: When you get hired to illustrate cover and/or interior art, do you read the book or skim to get an idea? Beegee Topla: If they give me the manuscript, and the deadline for the art permits, yes, [...]
In our ongoing illustrator series, we had the awesome opportunity to interview the wonderful Stephanie Graegin. She has created beautiful cover art for book such as DON’T FEED THE BOY and THE ART OF FLYING. Middle Grade Mafia: When you get hired to illustrate cover and/or interior art, do you read the book or skim to get an idea? Stephanie Graegin: I read the entire book, first to see if it’s a book that I would [...]
The Mafia's resident illustrator, Alison Hertz recently had the pleasure of interviewing the great Gilbert Ford. You may have seen his artwork gracing MG titles such as THREE TIMES LUCKY, ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY, and PETER NIMBLE & HIS FANTASTIC EYES. Middle Grade Mafia: When you get hired to illustrate cover and/or interior art, do you read the book or skim to get an idea? Gilbert Ford: I take the weekend to read the book, jotting down [...]