Pattillo Armadillo: a dummybook's tale

After joining SCBWI, which is a wonderful Society for Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, I was privileged to attend their Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga, in spring of 2004.

Having only color photo copies of my drawings and no writings prepared, I put together a small portfolio by way of a plastic photo album, joined my niece, writer, Donny S, and headed for the Conference with few, if any, expectations.

My interview with the Art Director of Little, Brown, NY went well and soon I was home and writing the story of Pattillo Armadillo and the Dream of Green--a hero's journey of a tale--which I had assured her during our interview was "in my head since 1995 when I first drew Pattillo."

"Write it, send it, and I'll make sure an editor reads it," she said.

And since armadillos are primarily active in the wee hours, an armadillo was a perfect choice for my moonlight drawing tendencies!

Three months and one dummybook later, Pattillo was ready to mosey up to the Big City of New York and be checked out by Little, Brown's story editor. He was a smidge nervous, mind you, but quite game.

One month later, he returned, a corner of his cover a little crushed, but otherwise fit as a fiddle. He was accompanied by a real live letter from the editor who read his manuscript, saying that he was "a well-written tale with beautiful art, but didn't have an overt enough moral for our list."

Seems the plucky Pattillo was too nebulous in the moral department, and just not quite right...a little "New Age-y"  perhaps. 

Now if you know anything about publishing houses, you know that what they accept is for a particular "list"--usually spring or autumn--and must coordinate with the other entries being published. Plus, the traditional publishing industry isn't what it used to be, as you well know.

Well, Pattillo was quite concerned that he had disappointed me--not so, I told him, for how many dummybooks get considered by large publishing houses on their first try out of the gate--and in NYC no less!? How many?

So now that I have a better scanner than in 2004, this dummybook should be simply scanned and sent back out with the original dummy staying home (not me--Pattillo!) for it's a hand-sewn book of its own accord (I do little by half.)

Yes, I'm still proud of my Pattillo and his tale, the creation of my noggin and product of my drafting board, and would like to share him with you Gatherers, as I like to call you.

Hope he brings a smile, and please call in the kids for I'd love to hear what they--the Ones Who Matter--have to say concerning Pattillo Armadillo.

The first image here is the actual cover pic, the others are newer and may be included if I decide to re-tool the story before scanning and creating several new dummies.

And now, without further ado, here's Pattillo to say, Hi, Gatherers!

Pattillo Armadillo and the Dream of Green

note: the line-up I'm getting with three images is squished together so I'm trying to leave the cover pic in the article and have the others on the side! Hope it works ok--jc