Do you know any good illustrators?

No. And that's the problem.

Well, actually, let me rephrase that. I know a great illustrator. His name is Corey Egbert. He illustrated Tiny Talks last year and he's doing it again this year and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

Unfortunately Corey is so great that he's now become über popular and busy and agented and such.

Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy for him. But... that does mean that he's probably too busy for me to keep using him for every book I write.

Which brings me back to the original question. For this post it's more of a question for you, my wonderful friends and family and blog readers (all three of you). I'm actually asking you all if you happen to know anyone who might be interested in illustrating a book I'm writing.

If you or someone you know is an illustrator, please contact me. This is a legit project that's coming out probably a year from now and I'd be splitting royalties with you. And it's full color. And I'd want to see a sample of your work. And if you have more questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Oh, and hey while I'm on the subject, guess what, guys: I have a new book I'm writing. I think I mentioned it on here in passing once before but now it's for realsies.

Details (still subject to change):
- It's going to be a board book. So like for toddlers.
- Its coming out probably next August.
- It's going to have a Book of Mormon theme.
- And it's going to be AWESOME!

Not because of anything I do. But I already know my editors and they're amazing. It's a definite perk of working for your publisher. :)

So anyway I'm excited.

And please do comment here or on Facebook if you know an illustrator. I'd love to find someone I can partner with long term since I plan to keep on writing. It's not all that lucrative but it's really fun! I promise.

Oh, and it doesn't really matter if the person is LDS or not. Just to clarify.

Kthxbye!

PS--I promise to blog more as soon as I have internet at home. Which I will soon.

Probably.

PPS--I hope you all appreciate that I walked over to the Springville library late at night so I could sit outside it and borrow their wifi to post this. And there are mosquitos out tonight!

Honestly. The things I go through for you people.

PPPS--Just kidding. I love you guys. Totally worth the mosquito bites. ;)

What have you been up to?

Oh hey, hi! Long time no blog.

Turns out that whole not-having-internet-at-home-thing really did cut into my blogging patterns.

So . . . what have I been up to?

Hm . . .

Well, for one thing, I got in a fender-bender. That was way not fun. I rear-ended someone on the freeway. We were going about two miles an hour. They were totally fine. No damage whatsoever. I, however, got to pay several hundred dollars to have my hood look sort of like new again.

Lame.

In better news: I'm writing another book, I think. I just signed a contract for a kids book that's coming out next fall probably. I'd go into more detail but for one thing, I don't really know all the details. And for another, they could all change anyway. But I will keep you guys posted when I know more.

And in the best news: I'm planning on driving home to California in a week!!! So excited about this! I'll be leaving work early on Thursday then driving and driving and driving and driving across the Nevada desert to make it home around midnight, assuming all goes well.

That will mean I'll have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to spend reveling in the awesomeness that is home before driving all the way back again on Monday so I can be at work on Tuesday.

I am seriously stoked.

And . . . what else?

I'm mostly settled in at my new place. I've been love/hating it for awhile now. I love the solitude and the fact that I can have everything exactly my way. I love that I don't have to clean if I don't want to. (Don't worry. I usually want to.)

I hate the part where I look around and see all the stuff that's missing but I can't afford to buy it yet. Everything from an oven mitt to a mattress for the futon frame my across-the-street-neighbors gave me for free. I've started keeping a prioritized list.

There are the things I need (that futon mattress is on there). The things I'd like to have (a bigger mirror than the tiny hand-held one I currently have hanging from a nail in my bedroom wall. For some reason there's no mirror in my bathroom.). And the stuff of my dreams (lamps, an arm chair, a rocker for the front porch, a desk for my bedroom).

Someday . . . Someday . . . Maybe.

(That's a really good book, by the way. And I'm not just saying that because Lauren Graham wrote it. Except that is mostly why it's good.)

Anyway, I should get back to my internet-less life.

Here are a few photos of when I had no car last week so I walked the 2.5 miles to and from work one day. Plus a few more photos of randomness that will show you what I've been doing with my life.

This horse started chasing me on my way home from work. It was awesome.

And there were Eeyores.

Pretty sure that's what they're called. I aced zoology. 

(Or I would have if I'd ever taken it. Just like Lady Catherine or Anne de Bourgh would've been great musicians.)

One of my new neighbors left these lilies anonymously on my doorstep. Best thing of my week!

Do you have a favorite mountain? This is mine. 

It's Mt. Olympus and it looks even more impressive in person.

We went for a walk in downtown Park City as part of our family reunion. I love old houses.

Especially when they're little.

I would totes move to Park City if it weren't for the commute. It's not so bad now . . .

But there will come a time, all too soon, when there will be snow. Lots and lots of snow. Sigh.

Sometimes I find weird things when I go for walks. Like this tree that grew around a bar.

Or these window washers rappelling off the side of a building in downtown Salt Lake.

 I think that might be my new dream job.

Reading outside is exactly what vacations were made for.

These are all views from my grandparents' vacation condo in Midway. It's pretty much paradise.

And the best part is when there's a thunderstorm. (Tragically, not pictured.)

Anyway, I hope you're all having a fun summer! I can't believe we're so far into July already. Crazy!