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

Part two of my Rachel Maguire interview!

An illustration of Rachel, by Rachel!

Hi everyone! Today I’ve got part two of my interview (read part one here) with Rachel, the main illustrator of my book, Cosmoe’s Wiener Getaway! As you probably know, on May 5, the very cool print version will be out in bookstores. Rachel did a bunch of extra art for the print book — I can’t wait to see it!

Last time, Rachel told us about her childhood wish to be a unicorn-mermaid, her unplanned nose job, what she digs on her veggie dog, and more. What else has she got for us? Let’s find out…

ME: So we all know that you’re the main illustrator of Galactic Hot Dogs. What did you do before that?

RACHEL: I worked in animation for a while, and before working on GHD, I did the colors for KaBOOM! Studio's comic book, Ice Age: Where There's Thunder.

ME: Cool! Okay, my next question is super important: You just got your own spaceship — what would you name it and what cool features would it have?

RACHEL: Oooooh, good question, and since I knew this was coming, I have a good answer for it! My ship’s name would be GUS, and it would look like a giant space turtle time machine. Anyone who is familiar with Doctor Who and Terry Prachett can tell this mash up is of the TARDIS with Great A'tuin. It would be the perfect vehicle to pilot into the unfolding infinity of space and time.

The reason my ship would be named Gus? Well, I once met a 90 year old turtle named Gus at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, and he made quite the impression. Gus knew which direction the sea was and he was determined to scratch his way through his plastic tub even if it would take 40+ years. That focus and drive is something a spacecraft needs. The science-y acronym combinations for GUS are boundless too: Geosynchronous Undockable Spacecraft, Galaxy Uncertainty Spectrum, Geothermal Universe Supergiant…

ME: Giant Universe Scavenger, Galactic Ultracool Spaceship…

RACHEL: Yes! Those are good, too.

ME: I’m going to be thinking of acronyms for GUS all day long! Okay, next question is from the Princess: Do you have a pet?

RACHEL: Ah, yes. There is a tortoiseshell-colored house beast named Becky that is always lurking around. One of her front legs is bad, so she makes a peg leg sound when she walks around. She doesn't have the ninja stealth skills that all cats are born with, but she gets to be a pirate instead.

Rachel's pirate cat

ME: Humphree now wants a pirate cat.

RACHEL: Of course he does.

ME: Speaking of Humphree, he wants to know all your favorites: movie, TV show, food, dessert…?

RACHEL: Movie: It’s a tie between Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle from Studio Ghibli. They each have a special place in my heart. Spirited Away is all about growing up, and Howl's Moving Castle is based on the Dianne Wynne Jones book.

TV shows? I devour any TV show that has a hint of magic or monsters in it. Sushi is my favorite food, and for dessert, I really love mochi ice cream — it’s a Japanese treat.

ME: I love all ice cream, so I definitely have to try it! This has been a way cool interview, Rachel. Any last stuff you want to tell us?

RACHEL: When I’m not working on all things Galactic Hot Dogs, I like to study Japanese or take a nap! And I also teach comics drawing to kids at the Eliot School in Boston.

Thanks Rachel! That was a totally sweet interview!

See you guys tomorrow,

Cosmoe

Meet Rachel, illustrator of Galactic Hot Dogs!

Hi you guys! Today I’ve a new, super-awesome interview for you. Meet Rachel Maguire, the main illustrator of my book! She's way cool and really digs illustration. Plus she has a rad fake nose. No, really, she does. Find out why in our interview!

Rachel's illustration of herself!

ME: Okay, first thing's first: Why did you become an illustrator?

RACHEL: Illustrators get paid to draw pictures. This is what everyone dreams of isn't it?!

ME: Well, I dream of being a professional gamer, but being an illustrator would be way cool, too! Did you always want to be an illustrator, or did you want to be something else when you were a kid?

RACHEL: When I was very, very young I wanted to be unicorn-mermaid or a geneticist. Those seemed to be very magical things to be.

ME: Yes. Yes, they do. Okay, so tell me this: What's something funny or unique that not a lot of people know about you?

RACHEL: So, I'm 8 years old and my older brother is teaching me about centripetal force. If you spin a bucket filled with water around in circles, the water doesn't fall out. I wanted a turn to break the rules of gravity, and so I made a bee-line for that ill-fated bucket. My brother saw me coming with just enough time to slow down and have the bucket be in direct line with my face.

Once a year my brother still proudly jokes that he saved me from having the Maguire nose by breaking it to itty-bitty pieces. The fake nose I have now is very nice; it came from a doctor’s binder labeled as the 'perky one.' And while I missed camp that summer, I got to be the youngest kid in my elementary school to have rhinoplasty.

ME: Rhino-whaty?

RACHEL: Fancy word for nose job.

ME: Right. Duh. Next question: What are your favorite hot dog toppings?

RACHEL: Veggie-dog with everything non-meat-based that's available at time of consumption. Food is tasty, so it is best not to limit oneself.

ME: Truth! I'm not sure you'd like some of Galactic Hot Dogs' non-meat options though.

RACHEL: They might be a little out there for me. 

ME: Me too. Lime moon cheese? No thanks. Last question for today: What’s the best advice you have for an Earth kid who thinks they might want to be an illustrator?

RACHEL: Don't be afraid to draw hands. Yes, they are hard to draw. Draw 100 of them and stop hiding them in your character's pockets and behind your characters.

Thanks for the rockin' interview, Rachel! 

Be sure to come back on Thursday for part two of our interview. You’ll find out what Rachel's favorite movies are, what type of "house beast" is lurking around her home, and more!

See you later,
Cosmoe

Part two of my Max Brallier interview!

Cool illustration of Max
by Galactic Hot Dogs illustrator, Rachel!

Hi everyone! Today I’ve got part two of my Max Brallier interview for you (read part one here). Max is the rad guy who wrote my book, Cosmoe’s Wiener Getaway, which of course you can read online now. And on May 5, the very cool print version will be out in bookstores!

Last time Max and I talked, we found out what color food he thinks is gross, the cool name he’d give his own spaceship, his advice for Earth kids like me, and more. Let’s find out what else makes Max the cool dude he is…

ME: Okay, so obviously you’re the writer of Galactic Hot Dogs. Have you written other stuff for kids?

MAX: Yep! I’ve written lots of stuff, including books for the Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time and Regular Show, and Poptropica, too. The first book in my new, middle-grade adventure series called The Last Kids on Earth comes out later this year. I also write books for grownups.

ME: Cool! Next up: Humphree wants to know what your favorite hot dog toppings are. Whaddya like?

MAX: I’m kind of boring. I pretty much like ketchup. Nothing else. Unless its’s bacon-wrapped — that is also delicious. Crumbled up Funyuns also add a little flavor and crunch. 

ME: Funyuns! What, no raw arakzid legs? No lime moon cheese?

MAX: Isn’t lime moon cheese green?

ME: Uh, yeah.

MAX: No green foods, remember? And I’ll pass on any kind of space creature legs.

ME: I’m with you, Max. I think both are pretty nasty! But aliens completely dig them. Okay, Princess Dagger wants to know if you have a pet, and if not, what kind of pet would you get?

MAX: I don’t, sadly. I’m not allowed to have one in my apartment building! It’s a butt… I really, really want a big fat bulldog. Also, I’d like a dragon if that’s somehow possible. With mechanical wings. And night vision.

ME: Ooooh, a dragon. That would be awesome. All right, let’s hear more about your favorites. What's your favorite movie? Food? Dessert? TV show?

MAX: Favorite movie: Star Wars, closely followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, closely followed by Tremors, closely followed by The Bad News Bears. Favorite food: Not counting hot dogs? Hamburgers. Also pizza, fried mac + cheese, Choco Tacos, and Goobers.

ME: Whoa, whoa, whoa. GOOBERS?

MAX: Oh, no, not like your little elastic blob buddy! On Earth, Goobers are chocolate-covered peanuts!

ME: Oh. Right! Phew!

MAX: Okay, my favorite dessert is Phish Food ice cream. Favorite TV show… too many to name! Simpsons, Seinfeld, Firefly, Regular Show — anything about buddies getting into trouble. 

ME: This interview totally rocks, Max. Thanks. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?

MAX: Hmmmmm. I do fake karate in my apartment and I’m really good at it. Super skilled. But I’m cruddy at real karate. I hate cooking but love eating, which is a pain. I collect old action figures and toys — it’s a hobby and hobbies are good. If you don’t have one, get one! But video games don’t count (sorry)!

Best. Interview. EVER! Thanks, Max, for telling us about yourself!

See you guys tomorrow,

Cosmoe

My way-cool interview with Max, the author of my book!

You guys! I’m so excited about today's blog post. I just did this amazingly rad interview with Max Brallier, the author who wrote my first book, Cosmoe’s Wiener Getaway! As you know, you can read it for free online. And on May 5, the print version will be out in bookstores!

Max is pretty awesome. I’m not just saying that because he thought I was cool enough to write a book about, I swear. And he gave me so much info in my super-exclusive interview with him that I’m going to do part one of it today and part two on Thursday.

All right, here we go. Meet Max Brallier!

This is Max. He's awesome.

ME: Okay, let’s start off with a really official-type question. Why did you become an author? Did you always want to do what you're doing, or when you were a kid, did you want to be something else?

MAX: Well, when I was 6, I wanted to play outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates. When I was 7, I wanted to be the dude that gets paid to design Lego spaceship kits.  When I was 10, I wanted to be an illustrator for Image Comics. When I was 12, I wanted to be a movie critic but just for action movies. When I was 13, I wanted to design video games. When I was 14, I wanted to be a writer and that one stuck.  

ME: Dude! I want to design video games, and I’m 13! Sweet. Okay, tell me this: What's something funny or unique that not a lot of people know about you?

MAX: I have a tattoo of the James Bond logo on my ankle. I refuse to eat green foods (not counting green peanut M&Ms — I eat too many of those). In 1995, I was the country’s youngest professional movie critic (for real). 

ME: Green foods are the worst. I don’t go near them.

MAX: Exactly.

ME: Next question: You just got your own spaceship. What would you name it and what cool features would it have?

This is Max's awesome book.
Not that I'm biased or anything.

MAX: The Millennium Pigeon. It would be a real hunk-of-junk but, boy, she’d be sweet in a pinch. It’d have a big room in the back where all my friends and I could hang out while the ship’s on auto-pilot. There would be a film projector on the outside so we could watch movies on the sides of moons. 

ME: Ooooh, I wonder if F.R.E.D. could trick out the Neon Wiener so we could do that movie thing… Okay, last question for today: What’s the best advice you have for a Galactic Hot Dogs fan? You know, an Earth kid like me?

MAX: Play as much flashlight tag as you can. Watch weird movies. If you have a bike, ride it and ride it and ride it. And keep a journal!

Thanks, Max! That was super cool.

Be sure to come back on Thursday for part two of the interview. You’ll find out what Max’s favorite movies are, the weird-ish hot dog topping he digs, and more!

Later gators,

Cosmoe