Award-winning children's author visits Writing Studio
Award-winning children's author and illustrator Michael Garland, '70, spoke to students in the Learning Commons on February 25.
Award-winning author discusses career, publishing today
On February 25, best-selling children's author and illustrator Michael Garland, '70, joined the Writing Studio in the Learning Commons to talk about his journey in the publishing industry.
In his discussion, Garland discussed his incredible writing and illustrating career which has spanned decades.
Garland shared slideshows showing different illustrations he has done throughout his career. Garland has used his illustrations in numerous ways, working on stamps, album covers, billboards, magazines, and his children's books.
Michael Garland (far left), '70, is most recognized for his Miss Smith book series that has won him a number of awards.
Garland has published over 40 books throughout his career and has won various awards. Garland is most famously known for his Miss Smith series, a four-book series, with Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook winning the California and Delaware State Reading Awards. Another book in the series, Miss Smith and the Haunted Library, made the New York Times Best Sellers list.
In addition to illustrating his own books, Garland has collaborated with authors like Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Estefan and New York Times bestselling author James Patterson. Irish American Magazine also recognize Garland as one of the Top 100 Irish-Americans for his work.
Garland touched upon the importance of compromise and flexibility as being big components for success in this field. Collaboration, he notes, is key when dealing with other authors and publishers.
"You have to compromise that if they insist, or the publisher insists that you know that, so you have to do it," Garland said. "If you don't compromise, you're out of the business."
Michael Garland, '70, shows some of the various books that he has either written or illustrated over the course of his lengthy career.
Throughout his lengthy career Garland talked about how he adapted to the ever-changing world of publishing, thanks to the rise of various technologies over the years.
"I really transitioned since I've been in the business so long, from a different era of publishing," Garland said.
In fact, Garland took a course in digital art learning programs like Photoshop to help him with his pieces of art.
"I start with a pencil drawing, and then I scan that into my computer and Photoshop," Garland said, noting that working with these newer digital tools can be beneficial, if not necessary, for those looking to succeed in today's landscape.
Monsignor Farrell thanks Mr. Garland for his time and his wise words to inspiring writers and artists.
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