Get to know Max, Rachel, and Nichole, 'cause they rock!

Hey you guys! So I might have mentioned once or twice that Galactic Hot Dogs: Cosmoe's Wiener Getaway is now in bookstores everywhere. Obviously I'm super psyched about it. But you know who is way, WAY excited? The author and illustrators of the book!

Here's Max finding me and my book at his local Barnes & Noble:

Hey look! It's me at Barnes & Noble!
Oh, and Max Brallier, too.

 And here is Rachel at a different Barnes & Noble. With me, of course.

Rock on, Rachel!

When she visited another bookstore, Rachel drew a pic of me in a book for a fan!

Hey dudes! It's me!

Max, Rachel, and the other illustrator, Nichole, are ridonkulously awesome humans. Did you miss it when I interviewed them? Check out my convos with Max here and here, and with Rachel and Nichole too. You'll find out cool stuff like why they do what they do, their fave hot dog toppings, what pets they have, and other rad junk!

See you back here on Friday when we get into the next chapter of Galactic Hot Dogs: Book Two. It's called "Angry Revenge Moldy Pizza." Yes, really. You're gonna love it!

Later gators,

Cosmoe

Part two of my interview with GHD illustrator, Nichole!

The Galactic Hot Dogs creative team!

Hey everyone! Today I’ve got the second part of my interview with one of my way-cool book illustrators, Nichole Kelley! Last time we discovered that Nichole used to design video games, digs tomato-related stuff on her hot dogs, and wanted to be an astronaut when she was little. What else does Nichole have to tell us, hmmmm?

ME: So, Nichole, tell us a little more about what you did before being an awesome GHD illustrator.

NICHOLE: Before Galactic Hot Dogs, I worked in video games — mostly web games (including Facebook), but I have also worked on a console game and iOS games. But you know, working on Galactic Hot Dogs is exciting because I'll be able to have something to put on my shelf forever. With web games, they fade away into the depths of the internet, never to been seen again.

ME: Well, I’m glad you’re working on Galactic Hot Dogs. You and Rachel’s illustrations rock!

NICHOLE: Hey, thanks, Cosmoe!

ME: Okay, next question is from Princess Dagger. She wants to know if you have any pets.

NICHOLE: Oh, I have too many pets! We have Pepper the Boston Terrier, who’s a snoring fart machine. And we also have two cats. If I could handle another pet, I would want a French Bulldog. They're so fat and cute. I think Pepper would really enjoy a friend. The cats don't appreciate her play style very much.

Nichole's dog, Pepper, an expert snorer!

ME: Yeah, I could see that! Next, let’s hear all about your favorites. Movies, TV, food…?

NICHOLE: Oh, man, there are too many good movies to choose from! Of course I love all the Pixar movies. I identify with Lilo and Stitch, and Up most — aliens, Hawaii, and adventure! But ask me this question tomorrow, and it'll probably be an entirely different answer. My favorite TV show is the X-files. And my favorite food is ice cream!

ME: You mean your favorite dessert?

NICHOLE: Nope. Ice cream is always my favorite food, dessert or otherwise!

ME: I like the way you think! Okay, Humphree wants to know what you do when you’re not working, like hobbies and stuff.

NICHOLE: I have more hobbies than I have time not working, and too many to list! I like playing board games, card games, video games, watching movies, skiing, crafting, marble making, paper crafts, sledding, boating, boogie boarding, and adventuring, to name a few.

ME: Way cool! Now I have one last question: Tell us some funny or unique that not a lot of people know about you.

NICHOLE: Oh, I am sure there are lots of things that I just don't think about, but I like going to Florida to collect shark teeth. Maybe one day I'll find one of those huge ones. And no, I can't just buy one, it's not the same!

Thanks, Nichole! It’s been fun getting to know you more, and I can’t wait to see all your new illustrations in Galactic Hot Dogs Book Two!

See you guys tomorrow,

Cosmoe

Meet Nichole, illustrator of Galactic Hot Dogs!

Cool illustration of Nichole by Rachel,
the other GHD illustrator!

Hey you guys! Today I’m interviewing Nichole Kelley. She’s one of the illustrators of my books, and she’s super awesome. She’s even designed video games! How cool is that?! Let’s see what Nicole’s all about…

ME: So, Nichole. Why did you want to be an illustrator, and is that what you always wanted to be when you grew up?

NICHOLE: When I was a kid I wanted to be a Disney animator. I loved cartoons and I wanted to be part of that magic. But luckily, as I grew up, I learned that I didn’t have to work for Disney to be part of animation and cartoon magic. I am now happy making all kinds of whimsical art suited for kids. So, I guess I wanted to grow up to be a big kid, instead of a little kid! Oh, and I wanted to be an astronaut, too. Doesn't every kid want to be an astronaut? I was very jealous of space camp.

ME: Space really is the coolest. You should visit sometime!

NICHOLE: I will definitely look into that.

ME: So you never became an animator?

NICHOLE: Well, I realized that I didn’t want to do only animation. Have you ever tried it? It has an amazing payoff, but it takes a LOT of time and effort to get there. But I did use my animation expertise when I worked in the gaming industry.

ME: You designed video games?! Awesome!

NICHOLE: Yeah, it is awesome! I really liked it because there was just enough animation to have fun, but not so much to get bored. It's like an amazing blend of illustration and animation, And you get to play with your art in the end!

ME: So cool. Okay, back to space stuff. If you had your own spaceship, what would you name it and what cool features would it have?

One of Nichole's favorite illustrations
that she did - poor F.R.E.D.!

NICHOLE: Oh, Cosmoe, I am terrible at naming things. I would quickly turn to my trusty space sidekicks for help! As for cool features… I like that feature of the U.S.S. Enterprise where the ship cleans itself — and replicators! Imagine having any food you want with no preparation? Seems too good to be true. 

ME: Aw, man, I need that self-cleaning ship feature. And replicators rock! Speaking of food, what are your favorite hot dog toppings?

NICHOLE: Oh, I love tomatoes, cheese, and ketchup on my hot dogs!

ME: Yeah, I stick with human-food toppings, too. Some of the stuff Humphree and the Princess eat on their dogs make me want to hurl! Okay, last question for today: What’s your best advice for a Galactic Hots Dogs fan — you know, an Earth kid like me?

NICHOLE: Don't grow up, and be true to yourself — don’t let other kids tell you what you can and can't do. (But don't hurt yourself or do anything dangerous, of course!)

Good stuff, Nichole! Thanks!

Be sure to come back on Thursday for part two of the interview. You’ll find out what Nichole’s favorite movies are, all about her pet who passes way too much gas, and more!

Stay awesome,

Cosmoe