Jeff Miracola’s first picture book is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com! He’s my hubby, and a fabulously talented, successful illustrator. Welcome to Monster Isle is written by Oliver Chin and published by Immedium, Inc. All 36 pages of this fabulous, fantastical romp will be available in stores September 2008.

     Story Description:

     A family’s vacation goes bananas when a perfect storm tosses their skipper’s tiny boat off course. Now seven castaways are stranded on an uncharted desert island! Finnegan, his sister, parents, and dog Howl venture into the wild and encounter a menagerie of colorful monsters. Can these hardy survivors befriend seven beasts straight from their wildest imaginations?

     Whimsical and lushly layered illustrations invigorate a zootopia of mythical creatures like the Yowie, Abominable Snowman, and Ogo Pogo. Adventurous readers will take a trip they’ll never forget, since being lost was never so fantastic!

     New York Times Bestselling Author Lesley Kagen had everyone at the Whitefish Bay Library Center laughing, as she talked off the cuff about her life and the publishing process. Kagen is the author of Whistling in the Dark, pictured here. She, along with H. W. Schwartz Bookshops’ General Manager Daniel Goldin, spoke of the steps from an author’s initial idea for a book all the way through to seeing the final product on the shelf. We even peaked at a bound galley of her upcoming book, Land of a Hundred Wonders, which has a release date of late summer.

     Kagen and Goldin were both entertaining speakers. They offered interesting stories on how various books came to publication, how much (or little) a publisher might support a book, how authors handle requested changes, and how some characters get their unique traits. Kagen revealed that one of her character’s personality quirks are based on typical symptoms of menopause, an unexpected insight that delighted the audience. Goldin offered inspiring tales of a manuscript’s fight to the top of the slush pile and into the spotlight.

     It was a great talk, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them both.

     I am pleased as can be to tell you that my husband’s artwork has received another honor. The Society of Digital Artists is highlighting his work as the Society’s Featured Portfolio. Once there, click on the wrestler to see more of his work, or you can check out Jeff’s other work by going directly to his website.

     This is a great honor because CGSociety is the most respected global organization for digital artists and is frequented by the top names and companies in the industry. Being singled out by the CGSociety says a lot because of the high caliber of work seen throughout its community. Jeff’s been honored there before, twice achieving CGChoice Awards.

     If you wonder where he gets his inspiration, it’s all me. I drive him nuts, and his only salvation is through crazy art.

     An understanding friend recently quoted Vincent Van Gogh to me, saying, “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

     After five great years of working at WTMJ, I’ve stepped down. Sunday, March 9th, was my final day, and what a send-off it’s been. Friday, many of my colleagues gathered at Bar Louie to wish me well, and, Sunday, the weekenders had a sneaky little party planned. I should have expected it because they’re uncommonly generous. Many people signed around the superb caricature that station artist Nick created of me, at right, and Shelley Walcott was her usual sweet self, writing about the day:

     Leaving such a group of caring and awesomely talented people was a very difficult decision. At heart, I’m a writer and journalist, and have been immersed in that world for so long, that I find it difficult to say that I wouldn’t ever return to it in one form or another. For now, though, I have a unique opportunity in my life to focus on other things which also mean a great deal to me.

     Thanks, everyone, for everything.