News about the Hero’s Guide series.
Last week, Homesha, my publisher in Japan, celebrated the Japanese release of The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom with an art exhibit from illustrator Naoko Kawamura at Ondo Kagurazaka Gallery in Tokyo. My thanks to the gallery, Homesha, and of course Naoko, for what looks like it was an amazing event. (And thanks to them for the photos too.) I love seeing these different interpretations of my characters!
Here’s some more of the awesome artwork from the Japanese edition of Hero’s Guide (or as it’s called over there, “Prince Alliance!”). A big thank you to illustrator, Nawoko Kawamura! 
Today is a very exciting day for Hero’s Guide heroes! The 2015 Audie Awards—think of them as the Oscars for audiobooks—were handed out at a gala ceremony last night. And the award for Best Solo Male Narration went to…
Da-da-da-DA!
Bronson Pinchot for his performance of The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw!
My congratulations (and heartfelt thanks) go out to Mr. Pinchot. I was incredibly lucky to land such a talented actor for my books.
You can purchase a download of the now AWARD WINNING audiobook through this link. (As well as the first two books in the series, both of which were also expertly narrated by Bronson Pinchot—is there anything the man can’t do?!)
I am thrilled and honored to announce that The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom has been selected for the Texas Library Association’s 2015-2016 Bluebonnet Award Master List. I am especially thrilled and honored considering the 19 other amazing books on that list. Even if you’re not at one of the schools eligible to vote, you should check out the nominees.
So there’s this guy named Todd Harris who draws all the pretty pictures for the Hero’s Guide books (and the ones you see plastered all over the wallpaper of this site). Since I wrote those books (and used his artwork all over my site), I figured I should talk to him. Here’s the conversation. (Read to the end for a peek at some awesome unused art from Storming the Castle!)
ME: So, Todd, let me start off with a thank you for creating such awesome depictions of my characters for the Hero’s Guide trilogy. More often than not, you’ve nailed the images I’ve had in my head as I wrote. I’ve always been curious as to how much you use the text when creating your character designs. What kind of specific cues you take from the text?
TODD: I rely on the text completely in the initial phases, all in an effort of trying to understand the personality. Once I feel like I understand that, I’ll try to add little things that bring the character to life and compliment the story. Everything I draw flows from the personality of the character and the situation he’s in. I’ll even draw sad or happy hair depending on the scene! With good stories (like Hero’s), there are unique characters and each character gets a unique shape language. For instance, Frederick is kind of a wimp (at least at the beginning of the series), and his waist is smaller than Gustav’s wrist! Read More “I Interview My Illustrator, Todd Harris!”