by Ben Zackheim | Nov 23, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
Poor Simon. He’s had a horrid run of luck recently. A couple of bad decisions became one HUGE problem for New Camelot — a problem that looks a lot like a dragon. But he’s determined to find a way to make things right. And the only way he can do that is to go back to his Uncle Victor’s castle.
Let’s just say Simon isn’t welcome there anymore.
Snag a copy of The Camelot Kids: Part Four and see how the first part of Simon’s story comes to an end. There’s adventure, battles and betrayal the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
Really.
And THANK YOU. This run of The Camelot Kids has been the time of my life! I can’t wait to release the softcover book on December 10th, with art by Ian Greenlee, Nathan Fox and Matt Bailey.
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 30, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
If you’ve read The Camelot Kids: Part One you’ll remember the fight between the gargoyle and the troll. Simon will certainly remember it for the rest of his life! Ian Greenlee did a fantastic job of drawing that scene for the book, but I wanted to get another point of view from an artist with a different style.
I met Harshad Marathe at my parent’s place in New York. They introduced him as an artist. He was helping them settle into their new apartment and we got to talking about Camelot, myth and art. I was so impressed with the beautiful way he sees the world that I assumed his artwork was as expressive.
It is!
Harshad Marathe is a fantastic talent who drew this scene from The Camelot Kids.
I love Harshad’s whimsical style. It captures the child-like wonder that Simon must be feeling as he watches two monsters fight!
You can see more of Harshad’s work here.
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 23, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
Are you ready to see the next Nathan Fox cover? The Camelot Kids: Part Three is almost here, and I have the cover to prove it. You may have seen the teaser at the top of my Facebook page. Well, here’s the full deal. What do you think?
Pick up The Camelot Kids: Part One to see Merlin and the teen descendants of the Knights of the Round Table try to get along. It’s a hoot!
The Camelot Kids: Part One
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 21, 2014 | Writing |
I’ve talked a lot about the softcover collection of The Camelot Kids coming out in December, 2014. Why am I so excited? Well, besides seeing the story all together in one volume, there’s the spectacular artwork of Ian Greenlee. Ian has been body slamming every single piece for The Camelot Kids eBooks (yes, in a good, loving way). His art is getting a lot of buzz in the illustration world. And readers LOVE what they’ve seen so far.
Here’s one review:
“I love love love this series!!
The illustrations are really really wonderful. I wish I had some to frame for my office.”
And another:
“This is the first in an exciting new middle grade series, by Ben Zackheim, with stunning illustrations peppered throughout, this one is sure to be a hit.”
I want to give you a peek at how we’ll be using the artwork in the softcover edition. From the start, Nathan Fox (Art Director and cover artist) has wanted the illustrations to emerge from the story. His meticulous sense of theme and intent are woven into every visual decision he makes. For instance the theme of The Camelot Kids: Part One was “Emergence” which translated into wonderful illustrations of our characters stepping into a new world. But the softcover will give us a whole new way to play with the theme.
Example?
Well, when Simon Sharp finds the vambrace in the grass in Part One, it’s his first step into Merlin’s domain. Simon doesn’t know it at the time, but Ian did a fantastic job of showing the confusing, dramatic moment. In the book, you’ll be able to see the drawing in all of its detail, and you’ll notice how some art appears to embrace the text of the story. In the two-page spread below, notice how the leaves flow from one page to the next, like ivy growing through the prose.
This is just one example of the beauty and attention to detail that you’ll find in The Camelot Kids: Book One, coming in December. Yes, THIS December ;-)
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 13, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
Here’s a beautiful illustration of The Ball scene in The Camelot Kids: Part Two. Ian Greenlee went all out on that dress! The scene captures a moment where the heir to King Arthur’s throne shows up. I won’t give anything away, but it’s someone Simon knows (as you can see on the expression his face is wearing).
And, um, why is the guy charging Simon like that?
The Ball by Ian Greenlee for The Camelot Kids