Steve Riley: Illustrator & Publisher

  I recently interviewed William Steven Riley, illustrator and publisher. Most people know him as Steve or Steven. In his family it was common to go by your middle name. He works from the comfort of his California home. "I love it, but it does mean that sometimes I don’t get things done as fast as I probably would having an office." His wife home-schools their two children, and Steve  loves having the family close-by.

Steve is currently working on Furnatche the House Dragon, written by author Honey Apotos. The story is about a family who discovers a baby dragon in the basement furnace. Steve is also finishing The Little Flame written by Denise Gary, his good friend and CEO of Kids Need To Read.  The Little Flame is a heartfelt adventure meant to inspire kids to pursue the important things in life while maintaing healthy relationships.

When asked how Steve chose this line of work, he admitted it chose him, almost by accident. He reached a point in his life when pursuing unimportant careers needed to change. “If I don’t give something else a try, then this will be my life.”  Life was not awful,  just not what he wanted. After some soul searching, writing and illustrating children's books were his best chance to succeed.

Steve now has three titles the Little Ty Cooney National Wonders Series.  They are Little Ty Cooney and the Big Yosemite Race, LittleTy Cooney and the Big Yellowstone Mystery, and Little TyCooney and the Grand Canyon Tour Company.  Other works include author Derek Sabori's book Lu and the EarthbugCrew Zap the Energy Spikes. The illustrations were a collaborative effort between he and Mark Wayne Adams. Steve has three other books written. He is also collaborating with with World Class Climber, Dean Potter on a story about his life, which many people would say are just plain crazy.

Most all Steve's character ideas are born in sketchbooks. "I will be drawing one day and some random sketch will just come to life in my imagination," Steve says. His written stories generally evolve around characters, not a specific plot or theme. "All the story elements are there in the characters just waiting for me to discover them." His Ty Cooney series began in Yosemite Valley with a little raccoon that lived under his family's porch. "I sketched a little cartoon picture of him and that picture inspired the rest."

The only career for Steve before publishing was managing restaurants in Yosemite Valley, California. It required very little of his creativity, and focused on managing people, resources, and providing customer service. His experiences inspired the entrepreneur within him. Publishing has been frightening and rewarding for Steve. "Frightening because if I fail there is no safety net. Rewarding because, when I succeed the rewards are mine." said Steve. The combination of those two things keeps him highly motivated.

Steve is an independent publisher and illustrates for other independent authors. I asked him to offer insight to other's considering independent publishing. His first words of advice were to develop a business plan on how to sell books. "This is a business driven by money.  Money is derived from sales. If you have a great book and no way to sell it, you are in trouble. If you execute a good marketing plan, then your book is going to make you money." Money isn't the most important thing to Steve, but paying the bills is a publishing priority. 

"I think the most significant moments for me were the first moments of the journey. The first time I held in my hand a real true-to-life published book, that I wrote and illustrated." says Steve. "Upon the arrival of my first 5,000 books, I stood back and looked into my garage at the enormous pile of boxes. My wife and I took pictures with the pallets. It is comical to think of it. I still smile when I see those pictures." Steve said. To him those moments cannot be taken away, because the first memories were the best.

Steve didn't hesitate when asked if he would start his publishing career again. "I absolutely would, in a New York minute!" Steve replied. The one thing he would change would be to start before he graduated High School. "I always had silly ideas and funny pictures of crazy characters floating around in my head. I never believed they would ever amount to anything." Steve replied. Starting younger would given him nearly twenty years longer to build upon his success. "I recommend not hesitating or making excuses. I would just do it." He also recommended choosing the correct college institution. His education was a good, but felt an art school would have provided more opportunities.

To contact Steve Riley visit his website at:  http://tycooney.wordpress.com

Prolific Writing & Illustration

"You are a prolific writer and illustrator and have written or illustrated 37 children’s books. I happen to know that your goal is to illustrate and or write 50 books by the time you are 50. That is just a couple of years away. What’s your secret to getting so much done in such a short period of time? What does a typical day in the working life of Mark Wayne Adams look like?"

Peggy DeKay, The Business of Writing Summit

Peggy,

We all choose how to pace our life. I find realistic goal setting is key for my success. Creating ongoing long and short-term goals helps me stay on point. Some goals are firm while others change. Either way they are written down. Once goals are on paper, they are real.

As an Illustrator, the speed at which I draw plays a huge part in my success. My childhood dream was to become an animator. I read how animators created hundreds of drawings in The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. So, I did the same.

I now draw at an animator's pace, however that speed isn't required for an average children’s book illustrator. Drawing one picture a day, means I complete one picture book a month. After six years, I’ve illustrated almost forty picture books. I've inspired so many readers with only one thousand illustrations.

The author in me writes all the time. I use writing applications like Notes, Pages, and A Novel Idea on my iPhone and iPad.  I then export my inspired writings into a formal document once a week. Writing instantly is more effective for me than designating a time to write.

So, what is a typical workday? Normally my illustration workday is about six hours a day, five days a week, eight months a year. Most days I draw by my pool until the kids get home from school. Tough life, right. It can be because I'm a publisher, author, President Elect for FAPA (Florida Authors & Publishers Association), Readers’ Favorite Illustration Award judge, and public speaker. Wearing one hat at a time can be difficult.

Becoming a prolific writer and illustrator for me has included setting realistic goals, working consistently, and capturing my inspiration immediately.

Mark Wayne Adams
Award-winning Illustrator, Author & Publisher

Being Social: Creative Sales!

Mark Wayne Adams (left) and Elaine Goldberg (right).

Mark Wayne Adams and Elaine Goldberg finally meet at a local Panera. Many of us find private spaces to work. Mark chooses to illustrate in public. Not only to get out of the office but to get readers' input. 

Elaine commented on Mark's Kids Need To Read unicorn calendar illustration. As they talked she realized he illustrated her favorite series, the Best Fairy Books, written by author Mrs. Bobbie Hinman. Elaine met the author at an Orlando Costco book signing. Now, years later, she meets the illustrator working on "The Freckle Fairy," the fifth book in her favorite series. 

Being social happens in many ways and inspires not only fans, but also the people around them. Mark received multiple orders from this meeting, none of which were Elaine's. He also captured several email addresses inquiring about the new book's release. 

Mark also signs book orders in public. What reader doesn't recognize an author signing books! The inventory is on hand for the reader to review. Mark offers to personalize the book, and uses the SquareUp reader and app to capture sales. Mark appreciates being social not only for the sales, but also for building his tribe of followers.

Mark Wayne Adams
President Elect of FAPA (Florida Authors & Publishers Association)
Moonbeam Award-winning Illustrator for
Nicholas, That's Ridiculous!

Finding time to market and run a business?

A wonderful question! I asked a financial planner running two businesses that same question. His response, "The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss." 

The book is full of useful and useless information. Take away only things that apply to your business. A few suggestions are priceless for managing time. My favorite was email and telephone requests.

I was working 60 plus hours a week at my day job. Being a parent and starting a business was daunting. Following The 4-Hour Workweek suggestion, I set scheduled times for email and telephone requests.  Thus freeing enough time to get work completed. This also allowed me to leave work on time. Giving me time for family and the new business.  

I also learned families need structure. My children were four and six at the time. I started doing homework with them as I made dinner. This change accomplished two things at once. I also began to  write and draw while the kids did homework. A few small interruptions during math is more managable than play time arguements. 

Create a kid work station in your office. I'd rather work with my kids than the person my old boss stuck me with. Work through kid noise and some great memories can be made. 

Invest in The 4-Hour Workweek either as a book or audiobook. Audio books are great for multitaskers.  

Mark Wayne Adams,
Award-winning Illustrator of King for a Day: The Story of Stories