a little april showering of news...
i got to meet new fans at comic*con!
last weekend’s show was special because unlike "fine art festivals," i got to bring all my fan art with me! so i had my original disney fan art paintings, story*inspired paintings and ink drawings, and all the little things (stickers, mini*pins, journals, bookmarks, & more!) that haunt the halthegal etsy shoppe! all in one happy place!
my author buddy catherine jones payne also just launched her first middle grade book, so i picked up a signed copy at sc comic-con! and yes, she’s wearing my mer*REY tee shirt, available now in my NEW redbubble shoppe! ;D
some exciting changes to the crayon box!
new benefits for everybody!
last month we re*named the "halthegal patreons" the crayon box!!-- the place online where i create art & stories just for the merry band of supporters that sponsors me with a small membership fee every month so i can keep doing what i do! :D i'm happy to announce that both the $5 and the $10 levels now get all the same benefits-- so join at whichever level you're able. :)
there's also a new halthegal redbubble shop where you can get your happy crayon box merch if you need a dancing theodore in your life, too. ;)
learn more & join the crayon box with a small monthly pledge!
bucket list mode: activated!!
faerie tales & well, danishes?
i feel pinch*me fortunate to get to say this: in less than two days, i'm going to denmark!! (squeeeeeeal!!) nathan and i will be at a 1o-day artist residency and i still can't believe it! denmark has been at the top of my bucket list since childhood, and i'm beyond excited to even imagine going-- let alone pack and do the thing!
i should have wifi at our lodging, but maybe don't expect the NYC-level of vicarious adventuring (still saved in my insta highlight reels), but i'll do what i can! ;D
here’s to the books!
^ favorite reads of march.
better nate than ever, by tim federle: middle grade theatre humor and big city adventures! (also recently adapted to the disney+ screen by the author himself-- who also got to direct it!)
shakespeare in the theatre: mark rylance at the globe, by stephen purcell: yes, i'm a total dork, but i love any behind-the-scenes theatre, acting, directing goodness, and i found this one at the drama bookshop in nyc last month and there was no way i was leaving it behind! :)
the counterclockwise heart, by brian farrey: middle grade faerie tale adventure with three strong POV characters including a girl sent to assassinate her mother the witch, a boy who tells his woes to a giant sculpture that appears in the town square overnight, and a prince who was found in the castle walls...
those kids from fawn creek, by erin entrada kelly: one more middle grade recommendation for you-- because it's just so well done! a new girl moves to a small town in louisiana-- from paris. and the sixth grade class hasn't had a new student since they all started kindergarten together! friendship and secrets and popularity and just brillllliant writing from an amazing author.
^ reading next
the ogress and the orphans, by kelly barnhill: currently reading this one! it's a faerie tale-esque middle grade read and just delightful so far!
portrait of a thief, by grace d. li: i don't even own this one yet, but it came out on tuesday, sounds like my favorite kind of art heist book, and i've been known to hit up a bookstore on a friday afternoon, so keep you posted... ; D
an arrow to the moon, by emily x.r. pan: a romeo + juliet retelling x chinese mythology! it was my signed indie pre*order of the month, and i'm excited for it to get here from books of wonder! (just released on april 12!)
you can always shop my recommended reading lists by genre on my bookshop.org page and support independent bookstores across the country while you're at it. and of course tune in to my weekly reading book reviews for more recent reads and story feelings!
all that to say: sending you all the colourful blossoms and inspiring spring stories you wish!
i'm still busy revising my middle grade novel to get it agent-ready, hoping for a writing conference scholarship, shipping your etsy orders, creating new art & stories for the crayon box, and working on some freelance illustrationprojects, too. sure glad you're here.
with peace, love, and many colourful reads to you,
*hallie :)