Hello! My name is Jacob Souva and I’m an author and illustrator of picture books.

This is where I’m supposed to uncomfortably talk about myself in a non-demeaning way. Let’s go with Chance the Rapper once read a book I illustrated about a kid with big, big feelings, Michigan kids and a jury of my peers loved my book about butterfly poop, and I’ve illustrated over 15 books in 5 years or so. A bee flew into my armpit and gave me the idea for Little Bee’s Flower.

I’m rep’d by Jen Rofé of Andrea Brown Literary Agency and am a member of SCBWI (I won honors at their portfolio showcase before the world stopped spinning). Oh and I drew pictures with Bob Shea and Mark Hoffmann on the internet.

Drawing a Blank is delivered on Friday morning to your inbox with a freshly made pastry and bi-weekly on Wednesdays. Friday’s newsletter is 5 things from the week that was and is free. Every other Wednesday we go on the deepest of dives for the paid subscribers. They can also rustle through all of the archives and cough as loudly as they like.

This newsletter is about the things that both interest me and that I think will be helpful in your creative kidlit journey:

• What I’m learning about making books for children (mostly the hard way)

• My creative practice (book making tips and tricks, how I work, sneak peaks)

• Things I’m learning to do that make me a better storyteller (big picture stuff, life hacks, growth mindset, why this matters)

• Stuff I like (podcasts, recipes, illustrators I admire, vacations, spatulas, and more!)

I’m excited to share a bit of me with you on the regular.

From time to time, I’ll include links to books that I think rock. When I do, I typically use Bookshop.org and I earn a small commission on books sold. FYI.

Have you ever forgotten a story idea in the middle of the night? The name of that place with the best sandwich? It stinks to miss out on things that are good.

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