100,000 books

When an author sells to a publisher they’re paid an advance, which is an amount of money before sales. That money (ideally) is to make the book because the publisher purchases an idea or a rough draft. Often it’s not enough money to live on (which is why authors seek paid author visits and try to sell multiple books a year). The advance amount depends on many factors (the subject of the book, an author’s reach, whether other publishers are interested, etc). The book releases and the sales of the book pay back the advance. After that, the author will earn royalties on that book. That’s profit minus the publishers cost to print, ship, distribute copies. In a recent legal hearing with Penguin Random House, they stated most books only sell 2,000 copies. For most publishing deals, an author would need to sell 10x that, or 20,000 books to earn royalties.

Twice a year I receive a royalty statement from my publisher. Inside are the numbers of sales and my earnings (if any, remember most books only sell 2,000 copies). I received my statement for Pashmina, which earned out (which is publishing speak for “paid back the advance”) in its first print run in 2017, almost 5 years ago. I was stunned to see that in that it crossed 100,000 copies sold!

When I pitched Pashmina in 2013, I was pregnant. I lost that pregnancy. Everything felt tenuous and difficult. In between dozens of exchanges with my editor, refining and revising the story I felt so unsure. I never made a comic longer than 5 pages prior to Pashmina!

Sample from my original pitch

We had our rainbow baby in 2015. I signed the contract for Pashmina and my first 200 page deadline descended. As I worked, Leela crawled through the studio. I was full of worry and doubt – about my book, life, everything! I held high hopes and dreams for Pashmina but I was unaware of the challenges within the publishing world.

My inking assistant

 

Despite the challenges, five years later I’ve released 10 books with 6 more signed up. It feels wild to write that! Life still feels tenuous but knowing that my first book reached so many people makes it a little less terrifying. I celebrated yesterday with a small cake from the grocery store. Because even though the days and deadlines overwhelm, it’s important to celebrate the good things.

And 100,000 books is very good.

Look what I found

Honestly, seeing this feels wonderfully surreal. I hope it always does. This is a placeholder on Netflix for the adaptation of PASHMINA into a full length animated musical with Gurinder Chadha set to direct. More info TBA.

It’s been a year. Many challenges along with reasons to be grateful… for my work, the hubbahubba, the kid and for your support.
Thank you ❤

Pashmina and Netflix

 

I’m overjoyed to share this announcement with you that my debut graphic novel PASHMINA will be adapted into an animated musical with Netflix. Gurinder Chadha and Ashok Amritraj are wonderful and I’m honored to have them take my work to new places.

I’m a bit overwhelmed with the good news! Thank you to everyone involved, especially my husband Nick, my editor Mark Siegel and the entire team at First Second/Macmillan and my rockstar agent who years ago helped me believe in myself, Judy Hansen. And of course all the folks who supported PASHMINA since it’s release.

I hope you have a lovely week!

love in the leaves

I had the privilege of creating this custom illustration for a lovely couple who will marry this fall. I’ve been buried under deadlines and at times unsatisfying work. Drawing this reminded me why I love my job.

Next week I will be at Denver Comicon as their special guest, I will participate on a slew of panels as well as have an artist alley table and I’m excited to share that my office manager, Nickole, will have her original art there as well! I will kick of the weekend with a presentation at the Denver public library on Thursday. If you’re around the area, I’d love to see you!

I hope you have a great week!

schulz museum tomorrow

Seven years ago I made this drawing for my mother-in-law. She loves Peanuts and Snoopy.

So I’m extra excited that tomorrow I will be featured at the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. If you’re in the area, please come by. I will be signing books and talking about my comics process.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

international women’s day

I was invited to contribute to the Mary Sue for International women’s day. I created a short comic about one of my favorite authors, Arundhati Roy. Read it and my interview here.

I hope you have a lovely week!

exhibitions

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Last night I participated in a panel at the San Francisco Public Library and had the opportunity to see the First Second books exhibit. Similar to when I held Pashmina in my hands for the first time, the feeling of seeing my work displayed in this way left me without words.

The exhibit will remain up until March 4th.

This Sunday I will be at the Cartoon Art Museum to see another display of Pashmina artwork in their new space. I will be on hand to sign copies of Pashmina from 2-4pm and after Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Grommit will be discussing their new project (ticketed event).

It should be a great day and I hope to see you there!

Thanks, as always, for your support.

signed copies of pashmina!

I’m thrilled to share that you can now order signed copies of Pashmina from a wonderful local bookshop, Bel and Bunna here. Each book is signed and comes with a limited edition postcard! If you’re around Lafayette, you can get one in person and if not, no worries, she will ship it to you!

I met Bel at the Northern California Booksellers meeting back in November. She handed me her card and I noticed that her shop was only 20 minutes from where we live now in the East Bay. Then she mentioned they had a weekend story time. We went to a couple, our daughter played with legos and coloring sheets while listening to Bel read. We loved the welcoming and comfortable environment she created in her shop.

Recently, I received a few requests for signed copies of PASHMINA. I wanted to partner with a bookshop to meet these requests so I called her to see if she would be open to working to meet those requests. She was! Within one day she had books online and arrangements made with the local pack and ship.

I love being part of this industry for all the amazing people I’ve meet like Bel who are committed to supporting authors and stories.

The same association, NCIBA, that allowed me to meet Bel announced that PASHMINA is the middle grade book of the year!

I hope you have a wonderful week! ^_^

san francisco streets (and signing)

My first custom illustration of the year and I was so happy with how it turned out!

I will be speaking and signing copies of PASHMINA at Books Inc (Laurel Village)  in San Francisco this Sunday. I hope to see you there!

Also, my comic Eggs was reprinted today in Mutha Magazine (appeared originally in the Nib).

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

nachle

I had every intention of completing this drawing of our family dancing. Some of our best days are when the hubbahubba puts on a record and our daughter demands that we get up to dance (mostly to chaiyya chaiyya). Like many things this year, though, I did not have enough time. So I share it in its raw sketchy state as it still captures our joy.

It’s been a strange, exhausting year. Aside from sharing PASHMINA across the country, creatively the best art I shared were my free resistance coloring pages. Most of my other work I cannot share yet. In fact one of my projects, a picture book titled I WILL BE FIERCE was just announced.

For the first time in my years of working independently, I am taking 2 full weeks off for the holidays. Not working late on Christmas eve, not missing catching up with friends and family and taking a much needed mental break.

Thank you for all your support & shares. I hope you have happy, warm holidays.