We recently connected with Amy Everson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I think what it takes to be successful is ultimately hard work and perseverance. I try to set a part of my day (typically in the morning before work) that is dedicated solely to writing and illustrating. Having a good support system is key, because there will always be disappointments and failures, and that is one thing I am lucky to have, a great critique group. We’ve been together since 2014 and during my lowest time I made sure to always keep showing up to our weekly meetings. And that kept me engaged and still in it, even if I wasn’t writing anything. And we motivate each other and encourage each other to keep going, and challenge one another to create more and bring more work. But working every day on your craft, continuously growing by taking art classes and writing classes, and putting yourself out there is key to success. And it’s important not to compare yourself to others, because you will always find people who are better than you, but you just have to do your best work because ultimately it’s how hard you work that will set you apart.
Amy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Amy and I’m from the Pacific Northwest. I decided when I was in high school that I wanted to publish a book one day. I just didn’t know how to do that or what it meant. I had written several novels, but I didn’t know anything about the industry or what it took to get published. After high school I tried to publish my books, sending query letters out to publishers and agents but to no success. I was discouraged and put my dreams on hold to go to college where I got my aerospace engineering degree. And graduating I went to the University of Washington and took their 1-year Writing for Children series, and that’s what put me on the right course. I learned how to write better, how important revision and critique groups are, and more about the industry. I met my critique group in that class, and we still meet every Tuesday. I 2018 I decided I wanted to try illustrating books, so I signed up for an agent consultation and illustration review at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Portland. The agent ripped my work apart, telling me I needed to take art classes and learn how to draw. She probably said it nicer than this but that is how it spoke in my head. I left devastated. So for nearly 6 months I wrote and drew nothing, but I still showed up to my writing group on Tuesdays. Then I started to really listen to what she said. I signed up for art classes at Gage Academy, and took art classes from my favorite Instagram artists. And my art grew, every piece was getting better. I wrote new picture books, worked on my portfolio, developed my website, and posted as much as I could on social media. Then someone I follow on Instagram got an agent, and I messaged her asking her how she did it. She said she was found on Twitter on one of their #pitchwars or #pitmad days. I didn’t know what that was, and I had Twitter but never used it. So I started up my Twitter account and started posting. I never got any response, but still posted anyway. Then one day an agent from the Andrea Brown Literary Agency saw my work and messaged me. She asked to see any manuscripts that I was working on, and wanted to see more illustrations. I signed with her a week later. So 20 years since I first set my goal to get published, I have an agent, and now we are working on refining my manuscript. I’m still not published yet, but through hard work and perseverance, I know I am one step closer to my dream.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Anyone who wants to write or illustrate children’s book should definitely join the Society of Children’s Books for Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). They are such a great community for learning and networking. Every state has a local chapter where you can take classes and attend conferences, which I highly recommend. This year I did the mentorship program which was a 1:1 with a published author for 6 months, and she told me what I needed to work on to grow my portfolio.
Also having a critique group is so important. A safe place where you can share your work and get feedback. I have a writing group and an illustration group. Over the years we have become great friends.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love the challenge, always trying to push myself to get better. And when I know I’ve made something good, it makes people smile and wow at it. All the hours hunched over my tablet or drawing table, trying to fix something I messed up on or getting the piece to come together, when it finally does it’s such a rewarding moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amyeversonart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyeverson.art/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/amyeversonart