In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan interviews Dean Rankine, a renowned author-illustrator best known for his work on iconic franchises such as The Simpsons, Futurama, and Rick and Morty. Dean shares his journey from a shy, anxious child passionate about drawing to becoming a prolific illustrator and author, discussing his latest book series 'Death Metal Emo Elves.' The conversation delves into the challenges of merging writing and illustrating, the impact of AI on creative industries, and practical advice for aspiring author-illustrators. Dean emphasizes the importance of persistence, navigating rejections, and leveraging side gigs to sustain a creative career. Additionally, the episode explores his role in comic conventions and the enriching, albeit demanding, experience of conducting school workshops.

00:00 Welcome to The Book Deal Podcast

00:43 Introducing Dean Rankin

02:17 Dean's Journey as an Illustrator

04:37 The Impact of AI on Creativity

13:20 Dean's Notable Works

15:31 Creating Death Metal Emo Elves

20:39 Persistence in the Publishing Industry

28:41 Drawing for The Simpsons and Rick and Morty

37:22 Influence of Reading on Writing

37:54 Comic Book Creation Process

38:32 Challenges of Being an Author-Illustrator

40:19 Navigating the Publishing World

41:50 Successful Collaborations

50:33 Balancing Side Gigs and Creative Work

01:00:05 Comic Conventions and Workshops

01:08:54 Top Tips for Aspiring Authors and Illustrators

01:11:48 Philosophy on Creative Success

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