The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Seth Fishman and Mark Fearing
Seth Fishman is a native of Midland, Texas (think Friday Night Lights), and a graduate of Princeton University and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England.
He spends his days as a literary agent at The Gernert Company and his nights (and mornings) writing. He lives in LA with his wife and son.
Seth is the author of Bad Drawer, illustrated by Jessixa Bagley, Armand Baltazar, Anna Bond, Travis Foster, Jessica Hische, Tillie Walden, & Ethan Young (2022), Up Your Nose, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (2022), When I Wake Up, illustrated by Jessixa Bagley (2021), A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (2018), The Ocean in Your Bathtub, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (2020), Power Up, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (2019), The Dark Water: A Well's End Novel (2015), and The Well’s End (2014).
Mark Fearing grew up near St. Paul, Minnesota and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he studied Comparative Literature, Chinese, Ancient Art History and Art.
After a stint at Walt Disney Television Animation as a current production manager, he remembered how much he loved writing and drawing books. He currently lives near Portland Oregon, after many years in Southern California.
Mark’s the author/illustrator of Welcome to Feral (Frights from Feral) series (2022), Castle Gesundheit (2021), The Great Thanksgiving Escape (2017), Giant Pants (2017), and Dilly Dally Daisy (2015). And the illustrator of numerous books, including Middle School Bites series by Steven Banks (2023), Glory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story by Maureen Fergus (2020) The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael by Bonny Becker (2018), Eleanor Roosevelt's in My Garage! (History Pals) by Candace Fleming (2018), Great, Now We've Got Barbarians! by Jason Carter Eaton (2017), Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom! (History Pals) by Candace Fleming (2017), Superhero Instruction Manual by Kristy Dempsey (2017), Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher (2016), and Tommy Can't Stop! by Tim Federle (2015).
Their newest picture book, Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine, released on October 15th.
Welcome Seth and Mark,
Tell us a little about yourselves. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate? )
SETH - Thanks for the great questions! Let’s see, I have been writing since I was a kid; it’s been a lifelong dream to be a writer. Though I never expected to write so many picture books! What I love about writing them is that they are often born out of something my own children have done or said, and they all feel so special because of that.
When I’m writing, I tend to write in a coffee shop, away from the family and the chores I have to do, which always distract me.
MARK - I’m always thinking of stories (there is not a time when I wasn't drawing or writing) and always thinking of images that inspire stories. I’m helplessly narrative! I draw in my studio on the computer and with pencil and pen and ink, and on my iPad when I travel. I love storytelling in any media.
When I’m illustrating a manuscript by another author I spend a lot of time thinking about art styles and how a specific type of drawing will enhance a story.
It's good to meet you both. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written or illustrated a manuscript?
SETH - The most unusual place I’ve written a manuscript is probably in England, in a small house I stayed at with friends, in the middle of nowhere. Warm fire, chilly days, letting the world around me seep into my bones and take my imagination away.
MARK - I’ve drawn while on and in trains, planes, and automobiles! I will work in coffee shops and quiet corners when I travel. Outside if the weather cooperates. Drawing cartoons is incredibly freeing - you can work in pencil or pen, and of course on an iPad or drawing tablet.
Sounds like a gorgeous place to write! So, Seth, what was your inspiration or spark of interest for Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine?
SETH - There’s a page in the book that most fascinates me and was the beginning of the book. It’s where Brandon goes to bed, setting a trap for FUTURE Brandon. And the idea is that he sets this trap, goes HIMSELF to get into bed, and then wakes up and the trap goes off and he gets a pie in his face. I was so tickled by the idea of how we sabotage ourselves all the time, often knowingly and fully aware of the consequences. So, I wanted to write a Time Machine book that dealt with our realization about how we work SO hard to avoid a certain future that we also are working SO hard to bring to life.
Oh my gosh - that's awesome. And sadly true. Mark, what about Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator?
MARK - I always carefully read and reread manuscripts I am offered and sometimes it takes a bit for me to decide if I feel like I am a good fit. This was a quick decision. I loved the silly adventure aspect; the action of the story could feel overwhelming if it was handled in too complicated a visual manner so I envisioned how I would want to approach it very quickly.
Sounds like the perfect match for you. What was the hardest or most challenging thing for you about writing or illustrating Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine? How did this differ from your previous books?
SETH - Time travel is tough in books. Especially books for youngsters that don’t have too many words. The continuity has to make sense, and so do the illustrations (which Mark did an incredible job with). My previous nonfiction books were about getting the facts right. But I always like to mess around with a reader’s expectations, and, in that respect, this book falls right in line with that. I am not always sure why I come up with difficult ideas.
MARK - Visualizing the main character through time was the most challenging aspect. Since it’s a picture book, I wanted to focus on the kid aspects of the character. Having him age up a bit, but not too much was tough. It was fun to picture him as an older teenager and young adult. You don’t get to draw that difference in picture books very often!
Wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't a bit challenging. I think you did a great job, Mark! How many revisions did Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine take for the text or illustrations - from first draft to publication?
SETH - Oh gosh. I’m not sure, honestly. I had a change in editor in the midst of it all. But considering the first draft all the way to changing text when illustrations were landing… probably 7-10?
MARK - That’s a tough question as I tend to do roughs on typing paper. So, I have pages and pages of different approaches to each page of the book. As I feel my way along I start to take pictures of the roughs on my iPhone and bring them into a layout in Photoshop. I sort of build a ‘best of’ this way until I have a full rough of the book. Then there are notes and revisions and sometimes I go back and draw in pencil again (I still tend to ‘think’ best on paper with pencil). So, there are countless revisions and alterations. Too many too count!
Sounds like it would be fun to peek about your studio. Mark, many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine? If so, could you share one or more with us?
MARK - I was most interested in trying to capture the main character throughout the different aged versions. So, I hope I created a set of ‘looks’ and emotional reactions that keep that character identifiable whether or not he is 5 or 16.
I'm impressed. Seth, when you first saw Mark’s illustrations in Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine, did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?
Text © Seth Fishman, 2024. Image © Mark Fearing, 2024.
SETH - Oh what a lovely question. Mark’s work is amazing and I think one of the best parts is the details he throws into every single page. I LOVE the title page, I love the page where we first see the time machine, I love the page where Brandon’s accuse each other of things and one Brandon points at himself. This is a tricky book and it was wonderful to have a dialogue thru the pages with this incredible artist who brought his own take on the story to life.
I do love the time machine as well. Mark, is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Or perhaps one which is your favorite spread?
Text © Seth Fishman, 2024. Image © Mark Fearing, 2024.
MARK - The cover turned out well. And covers are tough! There are so many people involved and marketing issues to consider. I’ve had some covers I really feel mixed about. I don’t think they captured the story well enough. I enjoyed developing the cover and pushing the outlandishness of his invention, even thinking about why and how it MIGHT work! I know why there’s a fish aquarium involved!
Especially when you have so many versions of the same character! Be fun to see what kids will guess as the purpose of the aquarium during your readings & school visits. What's something you want your readers to know about Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine?
SETH - I love time travel. And I think I would absolutely go see the Colossus of Rhodes (featured in the book). But more, I love making things out of boxes, whether they let you time travel or not. I hope I get to build ‘a time machine’ with my kid!
MARK - It’s a FUNNY picture book with a BIG IDEA. Which I love. I hope it sets off some contemplation that catches readers off guard.
I think if will definitely encourage some fun box adventures and spur some interesting discussions. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
SETH - Actually, I think my brain is forcing me to write an adult novel. GASP. I don’t know if I can manage that many words!
MARK - I’m always working on something. I just finished illustrating another picture book that will be out next spring. After that I’m working on a series of graphic novels and trying to pull a new picture book together. In between, I will try and get some sleep.
Good luck to you both on your projects. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
Top of the World Park, B.C., Canada
@ Iain Robert Reid
SETH - I love me some nature. And JUST started researching British Colombia. I can’t wait to take the kids out there in the crisp cool forest and explore an entirely new world.
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
@ dougolupski
MARK - I grew up camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota. I also traveled extensively around the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories including camping above the tree line. Dropped off by a ‘bush pilot’ we’d be in the wilds for up to 2 weeks exploring. So, I have a real affection for the outdoors and rather rough and desolate places. But living in the Pacific Northwest I have access to amazing hiking and parks: local, state, and national. Oregon is beautiful and places like Silver Falls State Park are truly magical.
Thank you Seth & Mark for sharing with us a bit about yourselves and your new picture book.
Thank you for your time!
Be sure to come back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine
To find out more about Seth Fishman, or to contact him:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/sethasfishman
To find out more about Mark Fearing, or to contact him:
Website: https://www.markfearing.com/
Portfolio: https://markfearing.myportfolio.com/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/markfearing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_fearing/
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