Mother's Day Flip-Cards Are The Bestest Cards.

A couple of months ago I hopped on Teachers Pay Teachers and set up shop, making clipart (clip art? One word, two words??) for teachers.

Like any new business venture, it takes time to build both a catalog of art for sale and a customer base. I'm drawing furiously! There are obviously some great artists out there already well established in the market so how do I find my niche?

And so, for Mothers Day, I give you ...FLIP-CARDS!

Yessss! Mother's Day Flip-able greeting cards - I am so smart.

Once assembled, these babies animate when you flip them up and down. I used drawings from my book, Motherhood, which is on Amazon, but I think I'll soon be posting a download in my shop as well.

I'm still figuring out all the do's and don'ts around selling clip-art and printables on TPT. The learning curve is kinda steep, even for an established stick-figure-drawer like myself. But I'm thinking more animation-based products is where I'm headed.

Each card is $1, or you can get the set of 4 for $3. Don't wait for shipping or delivery, just download, print and BAM, you're making something awesome for the mom in your life. That's my sales pitch; I hate marketing my stuff so I'll shut up now.

Love you!

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Getting a Puppy? Read This.

In the past three weeks I have seen more poop than you can shake a stick at. It's no secret that I have got myself a little Newfoundland puppy boy and YES, he is the uncommonly remarkable source of all the poop. Not only is it (finally) of perfect colour and consistency, this little guy can really churn it out. The food goes in - the poop comes out. Totally magical.

Inkling is my third dog, and my second Newf. But it's been over a decade since I had a puppy around. Knowing I had to get my self, my family and my house ready, I tried to prepare, tried to remember, did a lot of reading. However, nothing can really prepare you for a new baby. And that's what having a puppy is like. It's exactly like having a baby.

Because not only do you have to feed it, and teach it and play with it, you also must care for it when it's sick, and be patient with it when it's wrecking stuff, and it's chewing on your arm with those needle sharp puppy-fangs, and you haven't had enough sleep, and you're worrying whether or not you're doing it right. You forget to pluck your eyebrows, you wear the same clothes every day, showers become a distant memory, and makeup seems pointless.

And deep in the corners of your mind, because you've done this twice before, you're thinking, "in fifteen years I will have to let you go", and you just cannot bear it.

In short, you have to love the dang fur-ball floof-baby. Time to pick up some poop.

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"Motherhood" receives a book award from All Authors Magazine

You guys. Look. My wordless picture-book Motherhood has been honoured with the All Authors Certificate of Excellence.

The AACE comes from the good people over at All Authors Magazine - they advocate for all authors to reach all readers. The Certificate states that I have "encompassed the qualities that All Authors stands for: originality, talent, creativity, and most of all excellence of execution." It looks pretty official.

As an independent author and illustrator moving into the world of self-publishing can be daunting. Those who brave the industry face the task of not only creating and executing the story, but also handling the publishing, including the formatting to multiple platforms and the marketing of the book. Therefor the support and recognition of All Authors Magazine is invaluable. To be recognized for my work is such a gift, especially as there are so many worthy author illustrators self-publishing today. I'm thrilled, honoured and humbled to receive this award for my book.

All Authors Magazine also sent me a gift: this supermug will see me through my next two books, I swear!

But I think the best gift is that I'm now an award winning author. Which feels pretty good.

Motherhood by JC Little, is available in paperback and for Kindle on Amazon.

More comments and reactions to this post here.

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New baby.

I miss having a new baby. Part of surfing midlife is leaving all that behind, I guess, but I still remember how much fun it was.

My nose was always buried in them, I was always breathing them in, always gazing at them, as if I could somehow freeze time and live in a perfect moment forever. I felt like I could never get enough of them.

What were your most precious moments with your new baby?

These drawings first appeared on World Moms Blog.

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JC Little authors second book, "Motherhood".

Do you like the title of this blogpost? I thought I'd try out some magical SEO.

My second book, simply titled Motherhood, is now available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle) and Createspace. You can find out all about it by clicking here.

I haven't officially press-released it yet, but because Mothers Day is right around the corner, it's kind of leaking early to give you a chance to order it in time.

This book will make a wonderful Mothers Day gift; it will last longer than flowers or a bottle of wine, or a card. And best of all, your mom will know in her heart that you truly understand what it means to be a mom.

I think I look pretty good for having just given birth. They say the second time is easier.

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Book cover sneak-peek! (and Goodreads Giveaway)

Where was I? Oh right, so my next book, Motherhood, is set to launch on April 28th. JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHERS DAY.

"This is the universal story of motherhood, from the gentle moment of birth to the inevitable letting go. In the playful and poignant simplicity that is her signature style, JC Little has captured the tender bond between mother and child. A timeless and wordless picture-book for mothers, sons and daughters of all ages."

Some of you might remember the bare bones of the story as blogpost. I want to bring it to a wider audience, so I fleshed it out into a book with completely new drawings.

1. This book is wordless. Pictures only. And if you get the Kindle version, the page flips animate. So it's like watching a little film. Feel free to hum a little soundtrack to yourself as you read.


2. It's for all ages. It's the kind of book that might be given by anyone experiencing mother-appreciation sentiments. Sons and daughters can give it to their moms. Moms can give it to their sons and daughters to help foster an understanding of the experience of motherhood. I'd want to give it to a new or expectant mom, a teen or young adult leaving home for the first time...and children who like to make up the words to the story themselves. I loved doing that when I was small.

NB: some teenagers react to this book by sobbing on the sofa and needing cuddles.


3. Did I mention that this book will make a perfect Mothers Day present? It'll be available as a paperback. Think of it as a really, really special card. I even included a clear page at the beginning for you to write or draw a little note (I am nice).


4. This is happening:
   
   
   

   
   

   Goodreads Book Giveaway

   

   Motherhood

   by JC Little

   Giveaway ends May 01, 2014.
   See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

   Enter to win


5. If you'd like to review the book ahead of Mothers Day or soon after, please reach out to me for a review copy. I would be honoured...and humbled.
   

As always, I love you all very much.

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Next book coming soon.

Just a quick hello as I am waist deep in stuff over here.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my next book, which will be available for print and Kindle from Amazon around the third week of April. 

The book is called Motherhood and it's a finessed, expanded and completely redrawn version of my award-winning (totally) blogpost of the same name. This book will have no text, pictures only. And I'm publishing it through my company, Little Animation, just like The LAST Snowman.

Here's the inside title page:

Coming soon...in time for Mother's Day, as a matter of fact.

So yeah, that's what I've been doing. What have you been up to?

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The 17 Year Old Girl.

Our middle child is seventeen today. She's finishing high school this year and has her college applications in.

The girl asked for Doc Martens as a birthday present.

*     *     *     *     *

The perfect boots for walking into the future...



Happy Birthday, our talented, funny, smart and powerful ginger. And remember that even as the snowmen bow down before you, you will always be my baby.

Love, Mum.

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I am Santa.

SPOILER ALERT: Don't show this to your kids if they still believe. 

Usually I'm too busy to contribute to Neil's Annual Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concerts, and this year is no exception. But last night, at around 11 PM, I thought I'd throw some animation together with this Christmas lullaby I wrote for my kids when they were little.

Yeah, I was thinking maybe just a couple of drawings...but when I next looked up from my animation, it was 6 o'clock in the morning. Oopsies.

Guys, I did it again.

The song is called "I am Santa" and it riffs off the idea that these kids are supposed to be good in order to get treats. By the way, I subscribe to the philosophy that people should just be good, period. Parenting is hard. It's hard to teach little people how to be good. It's hard to watch them grow up and not need you anymore...

When I wrote this song, my daughters were eight and eleven years old, so they already had inklings about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. But my son was only five and even though he sang along with a big smile whenever I played it, he didn't actually figure out what it was about until he was ten.



Uh.... now I'm nervous. Because it's just a dinky little acoustic recording. But whatever, it's from the heart and the thirteen-year-old boy loved it. So this is for him.

For a splendid array of seasonal spirit, songs, poems and videos by real authentic actual people, go see Neil's Eight Annual Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert, CitizenoftheMonth. It's one of the best blogs out there, at any time of year, and I'm not just saying that.

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How self-publishing a book is like giving birth.

WARNING: Partial nudity.

As you know, I made a book. Making a book is just like making a baby. Perhaps not the making part...

...but probably the growing part. And most definitely, the pushing out part. Especially if you're self-publishing.

I won't lie to you; it's really fucking painful. Nothing can prepare you for the torture leading up to the actual release. And yes, you will probably shit yourself. (I decided not to draw that part because I am nice.)

You can beg and plead for an epidural or hardcore narcotics, or even pray that a falling piano will knock you out and take the pain away.

But you won't get any drugs, because you're self-publishing! Ha ha.

"I'll never have sex again!" you vow.

Yeah, yeah. Everyone says this while giving birth, but you can't deny that even as you endure the awful thunder in your blood, there's already a glimmer of another sexy book lurking in the creative soup of your consciousness.

And then, just when you think you can't take it anymore, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Literally.

The book is about to launch - bear down! Bear down!
Give'er one last push.

Push!

PUSH!!

You did it! Your book is out!

And you're still alive.

Welcome to the World little one!

It's a goddamn miracle.

You're overcome with maternal joy. (Even if you're a dude.)

Congratulations on what seems to be a happy, healthy baby book, to have, to hold, and to share. Possibly even destined for the New York Times bestseller list - you never know, right?

Let's celebrate! Champagne! Enjoy the moment.

Because the real work has only just begun.

You have to keep the baby alive - feed it and give it lots of love and attention. By attention, I mean publicity; make sure folks know about the book-baby. Get that fucker out there!

Don't banish the baby to forgotten boxes in the dusty shadows of your garage or basement. You mustn't let the baby die! It's counting on you - you're all it's got.

And... don't forget the afterbirth!

Notes on self-publishing:

• It's not easy; but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
• You probably won't make money; but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
• Your first book might not be very good; but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. 
• Although self-publishing e-books is free, you will probably have to give up something you love. Like sleep. You might want to think about that one.

Life is short people. Go forth and tell your stories.

The LAST Snowman is my first book. These folks all yelled "PUSH!" and deserve my thanks. Smack me if I've forgotten someone...but not too hard, because I'm still post natal:

Jill Smokler AKA ScaryMommy, Annie @ PhD in Parenting, Tracy Beckerman from Lost in Suburbia.
Virginia, Mona, Gigi.
Sandi, Derek, Stephie, Brandie, Åsa, Kristin, Judy, Susie, Julia, Dean, Tracy, Tanya, Brooke, Scotty, Tanya, Susie, Julia, Virginia, Michael, Sarah.
Everyone who took the time to read my blog and tell me they liked it.
Uncle Simon, The Huz, all our children and my mom.

But most of all, I want to thank the fourteen-year-old girl.

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The BROW Crease.

Kick, kick, kick.

Every time I lay supine the baby growing inside me would wake up. I rolled onto my side and put my hand where I imagined her feet to be. One more month and I would be holding this new little person in my arms.

First babies are game changers. There's a dawning realization that you must now care for another being completely. Eight months into my pregnancy, I looked in the mirror and I noticed something that wasn't there before.

It was...a line.

Just a tiny vertical line nestled between my eyebrows.

About 2 months after my first child was born, I suffered post-natal depression. This manifested as morbid intrusions, where I would imagine some disaster befalling us, like a bomb or a house fire, from which I'd have to save my baby. 

Those episodes were debilitating, they froze me in my tracks, kept me from sleeping, and eating...I was sick.  But my baby thrived in real life.

The line between my eyebrows deepened into a crease.

It took a few years but eventually I recovered from the post-natal depression. With each of my subsequent children, my brow crease became more visible. 

The midnight barfs, the public temper-tantrums, the watching them break-away and get on that yellow school bus without me; all this intensified the crease. 

I began to accept it as a part of my face. 

And now, at just over half a century of my life well lived, I gaze in wonder at these three opinionated and promising teenagers. 

The eldest, who once kicked me so relentlessly in utero, now blows me kisses as she leaves for University. 

The second child, who flung herself around the supermarket floor as a toddler, now dances around the kitchen singing as we cook dinner. 

The third and youngest, our son, who scared us half to death when he fell from the treehouse and fractured his skull in grade 1, now draws endless variations of Spiderman, his tongue poking out in concentration as he sketches.

Each day I pause to look at my reflection, and I know I'm aging. 

My silver streaks brushed up and away from my forehead, the lines and wrinkles sprout out of control.  

I will never again be unfettered and smooth; the bloom of youth has abandoned me. But it doesn't bother me to see it...

...because my brow crease tells everyone the story of how much I care.

And that makes me smile. My life is written all over my face.

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