Dallas Clayton

Dallas Clayton
Occupation Illustrator, Writer
Nationality American
Genre Children's literature
Notable works An Awesome Book!
Years active 2008 - present
Website
dallasclayton.com

Dallas Clayton is an American author and illustrator best known for his children’s works in the Awesome Book series.

Early life

Clayton began his writing career by self-publishing small run short story zines which he distributed in art galleries, music venues, and on street corners throughout the U.S.[1][2]

An Awesome Book (series)

After the birth of his son Audio Science Clayton, Dallas was inspired to write, illustrate, and publish An Awesome Book!, a 64-page children’s picture book focusing on the idea of “dreaming big.”[3] After being turned down by several major publishing houses Clayton opted to self-publish An Awesome Book! by posting the book for free online and using mostly non-traditional means of distribution, after which the book became a commercial and critical success. With sales of over 50,000 copies to date, An Awesome Book! garnered accolades from online media outlets such as DailyCandy,[4] Wired Magazine,[5] and The Huffington Post.[6] The book also became a favorite among the Hollywood elite, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Christina Aguilera[7] and Justin Timberlake.[8][9] It even made a prominent appearance in the Joaquin Phoenix mockumentary, I'm Still Here, in which Phoenix reads the book aloud.[10]

With the publication of his 2010 follow up,[11][12] An Awesome Book of Thanks!, Clayton again decided to forgo the traditional publishing houses and inked a deal to become the first children’s picture book released by online bookseller Amazon.com’s new publishing imprint, AmazonEncore.[13][14] An Awesome Book of Thanks! followed the pattern of An Awesome Book!, this time delivering a message about the importance of being thankful. As with An Awesome Book!, the follow-up was heralded by critics, leading media outlets to tag Clayton “The New Dr. Seuss.”[15][16][17]

In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter announced[18] that Clayton had signed a three book deal with Harper Collins as well a two book deal with Candlewick Press. An Awesome Book! received a full scale re-release from Harpercollins in March 2012.[19] 2012 also saw the release of Awesome Book of Love! (Harper).[20] Extensive touring followed throughout 2013 in collaboration with Starbucks, which selected An Awesome Book of Love! as its iTunes pick of the week in honor of Valentine's Day 2013.[21]

Clayton was the subject of a worldwide ad campaign for Google Chrome featuring his story and rise to success. In conjunction with the campaign Google helped translate An Awesome Book into over 20 different languages for free digital release.[22]

Philanthropy

Clayton founded the non-profit Awesome World Foundation in 2009 with the intention of traveling the world, reading to kids, and promoting childhood literacy.[23] The foundation has donated books worldwide and collaborated with numerous brands and charities to help support various children's causes.[24]

Other Work

Since entering into the world of children's publishing, Clayton has carved out a loyal progressive fan base through extensive touring. Between tours he's released a collection of children's poetry entitled Make Magic! Do Good! (Candlewick Press)[25] as well as producing successful collaborations with brands such as Nike, J. Crew, and Target.[26]

Clayton was tapped by top editor Amy Einhorn (The Help) to release a "children's book for adults" entitled It's Never Too Late.[27] It's Never Too Late was published by Amy Einhorn Books/G.P Putnam's Sons on November 7, 2013. Clayton's 2014 releases include the titles, A is for Awesome and Lily the Unicorn.

Personal life

Clayton was hired in 2009 as the editor-in-chief of We Love You So, an art magazine founded by director Spike Jonze, designed to tie into with Where the Wild Things Are, Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book.[28] He maintains an art blog at Dallas Clayton Blog.

With actress Shannyn Sossamon, Clayton has one child, son Audio Science Clayton, who was born on May 29, 2003.

Publishing history

References

  1. ↑ Schwartz, Mara (June 2, 2002). "Getting Literary Buzz at the Sidewalk Level". LA Times. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  2. ↑ "Dallas Clayton". Lodown magazine. March 16, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. ↑ Golsorkhi, Ali (September 2010). "Dallas Clayton talks to Ali Golsorkhi". Tank Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  4. ↑ "A Children's Book We're Thankful For". DailyCandy. November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  5. ↑ Liu, Jonathan (November 18, 2010). "An Awesome Way to Give Thanks". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  6. ↑ Clayton, Dallas (October 20, 2009). "An Awesome Book". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  7. ↑ Hogan, Kate (December 22, 2010). "Author Dallas Clayton Gives Thanks in Awesome New Book". CelebrityBabies. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  8. ↑ Young, Faith-Ann (June 11, 2010). "Dallas Clayton's Magical Book Tour". JustinTimberlake.com. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  9. ↑ "What the Stars Are Reading to Their Kids". Life and Style. February 22, 2010.
  10. ↑ "YouTube Video". Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  11. ↑ "Dallas Clayton". tumblr. staff blog. November 9, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  12. ↑ "An Awesome Book of Thanks". Fecal Face. November 15, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  13. ↑ Young, Monica (November 28, 2010). "Local writer has his own ideas on marketing his children's books". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  14. ↑ Douglas, Nick (November 18, 2010). "'An Awesome Book!' Series by Dallas Clayton - The Internet, Drawn". urlesque.com. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  15. ↑ "Buzz Guide: Alex Pettyfer, An Awesome Book and Operator Please". Buzz Net. April 29, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  16. ↑ Fieber, Pamela (December 5, 2010). "Children's Books". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  17. ↑ Fieber, Pamela (December 19, 2010). "What's new for kids". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  18. ↑ Lewis, Andy (August 4, 2011). "Self-Publishing Sensation Dallas Clayton Signs Deal With Harper Collins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  19. ↑ "Harper Collins Children's online catalog". Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  20. ↑ "Harper Collins Publishers: Browse Inside". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  21. ↑ "iTunes - Books - An Awesome Book of Love! by Dallas Clayton". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  22. ↑ "Google Chrome: An Awesome World". YouTube. October 7, 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  23. ↑ "An Awesome Book: Interview With Dallas Clayton". Neato Bambino. August 23, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  24. ↑ "Sweet Charity". DailyCandy. November 9, 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  25. ↑ "Candlewick Press Catalog". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  26. ↑ "Giant Artists: Dallas Clayton". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  27. ↑ "It's Never Too Late - Books by Dallas Clayton - Penguin Group (USA)". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  28. ↑ Bec, Alex (May 11, 2010). "An Awesome Book". It's Nice That. Retrieved 2011-03-04.

External links

Merchants
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