Competition has a lot of benefit. History is littered with examples of how rivalry pushed humans to achieve more in a shorter time. This is great if faster and ‘more’ are your goals. But not everyone needs to be faster, or make more. I scroll through my algorithmically-driven Instagram feed maybe once every few days.… Continue reading Your only competition is you
Author: Matt Shanks
CBCA Notable books – Eric the Postie and Koala Bare
Eric wears his shiny new sticker I’m delighted to announce that my first picture book, and my first collaboration with Jackie French have both been given a shiny notable sticker by the industry’s premier body, the CBCA. While the last you thing any one should ever illustrate for, it’s recognition, it’s still a lovely feeling… Continue reading CBCA Notable books – Eric the Postie and Koala Bare
Row Row Row Your Boat featured in Better Beginnings
A whole generation of kids are going to have access my first ever picture book and I can’t tell you how great and humbling that feels.
Scholastic Australia selects Sleigh Ride as their 2016 Christmas e-card
It’s not often your art gets in front of 1000s of people so when Scholastic gave me the good news, it’s fair to say that I couldn’t contain my excitement.
Urban sketching the Greek islands
Take a peek in to my sketch book where I play with ink and watercolour to try and capture one of the most beautiful places on earth.
May Gibbs Creative Time Residential Fellowship 2017
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been selected as one of May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust’s Creative Time Residential Fellows in 2017. I’m a gum nut baby! YAY!
The HarperCollins Annual Author Day 2016: The definitive wrap-up
Whether your an author or illustrator who couldn’t make it or you’re keen to know what happens under the hood at a publishing event. Here’s my key takeaways from this great day.
Sketches from Row Row Row Your Boat
If you’ve ever been interested in how a picture book comes together, here’s a little insight in to the process I went through for my first picture book.
Should I find a literary agent?
A few thoughts on why I think a literary agent was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career