Most authors can’t draw. Likewise a lot of illustrators don’t write. Most published books are designed by a designer or typesetter. Myke is all three. Author, illustrator and designer. He understands it’s a great creative release to craft a book and see it in store – a dream fully realised.
Since late 2006, alto books (now alto publishing) has published two of Myke’s books, and Myke has been commissioned to illustrate two more titles by other authors. Over the last two years he has also helped alto publishing designed and typeset a dozen titles, plus Myke Mollard has illustrated a few covers which were published in 2009.
Myke through Wildfire Productions, is consistently working on publishing projects now. His 6 years commercial experience in this area, in developing and collaborating with writers, self publishers and alto publishing can benefit anyone wishing to get there book designed and typeset. His knowledge and connections could guide fellow author/illustrators on what to do next. What truly inspires Myke is creating original work that isn’t ‘anonymous’. here is so much reward in working with passionate artisans and helping them design either an “elegant solution” or a gratifying end.
The following illustrations demonstrate a range of books Wildfire Productions* and Myke Mollard has produced in the past eight years.
Mal the Lion, Written by Jesse White and illustrated and designed by Myke Mollard, published by alto books.
One World – a journey. Illustrated beautifully by David Higgins and published by altobooks, was originally designed by Warrnambool design company. The final artwork had to be prepared for printing overseas. With extensive knowledge with overseas jobs Myke Mollard prepared the art to international standards, as well as, completed some last minute design changes and photo retouching. The the following year altobooks reprinted this book as a Mini version for quick counter sales, Myke Mollard did a complete typeset and redesign in scaling the book to this smaller size.
Our Time – Living on Earth. followed the same format as the previous book, yet this time Myke designed the book from start to finish. There was quite a bit more photo retouching required in this book as some of the original images were in separate pieces needing knitting together.
OhDarling Do behave! Written by Tania Materazzo Rann. Typeset, Plus cover designed and retouched by Myke Mollard. Published by altobooks.
Songforge. Written by James Beckingham. Typesetting, cover illustration, cover design and internal B&W illustrations by Myke Mollard. Published by altobooks.
Dragons Rising. Written by James Beckingham. Typesetting, cover illustration, design and internal B&W illustrations by Myke Mollard. Published by altobooks.
The Aspen Portal. Written by James Beckingham, cover illustration and design by Myke Mollard, Internal typeset by Myke Mollard and published by altobooks.
Reflections in my Rear View Mirror, Published by DISA and altobooks. Front cover design compiled and retouched for final print by Myke Mollard and internal picture pages (plates) typeset and layout prepared for final printing by Myke Mollard.
Maximus Musicus, Visits the Orchestra. Australian adaptation published by altobooks and the translation re-typeset in english by Myke Mollard. This also had a DVD and some complicated design opportunities which made it a complex job. The result was great and my kids loved Global Fancy Pants (Iceland) iphone App Maximus Musicus with puzzles, music game and cheese arcade game.
Silly Sam’s Smile, Written by Jesse White and Illustrated by Gwyn Perkins was the second book of Jesse’s published by altobooks. Myke Mollard designed the layout and typeset this delightful tale.
Mis’ka – rite of ascension. Written by M.A. Miller and cover illustration by Cover art by Sebastian Ciaffaglioni, cover design and internal typeset by Myke Mollard. Published by altobooks.
The Ottomans – Empire of Faith. Published in Australia by altobooks. Australian edition amendments, publisher’s logo reworked into opening pages, cover and jacket and file adjustments cover and on internal CIP pages all reworked into final illustrator art files and prepared for reprinting by Myke Mollard.
Chris ‘Roy’ Taylor had this book written, illustrated and designed. Myke Mollard just put some finishing varnish plate touches to the cover and and told the publisher altobooks it was good to go. Myke just helped this book to market with a professional pre-press check and a print plate creation.
Bedpan Blues, written by Sandy Thorn, cover design and typesetting by Myke Mollard. Published by ST Publishing.
*Wildfire Productions is Myke Mollard’s trading name, but in most of the early book designs and typesetting Genie Jar or Genie Productions might be the folio reference.
I have discovered your book A-Z of Australian Bush Creatures online, which looks interesting.
Being the secretary of the East Gippsland Wildlife Shelter Groups Inc., am always looking for a book promoting Australian wildlife which we could use as a fund raiser for our group. In the past other authors have donated books at a very reduced price so we can resell them at a modest profit to assist us with wildlife care.
As an example, we are The Snug Wildlife Shelter and had a wallaby handed on to us on the 6th of January from another wildlife carer who was having trouble feeding her. Her name is Jodie. Doing well from the day she came into our hands. This is one way that we receive wildlife.
We also have 10 wombats in care. Some handed on to us because other carers were having problems with them, and some handed to us by members of the public. Though now only three still reside in and own our cottage. Like most wildlife carers, our cottage is like a menagerie and we share it with all these, hoppers, diggers and flyers prior to soft releasing them after they have been dehumanised in enclosure where they don’t have constant contact with us.
The East Gippsland Wildlife Shelter Groups supports the carers of East Gippsland in every way possible, and between our members and even non members we share equipment and expertise, pay for vaccinations for our members etc., though the tyranny of distance is always a problem. We have market stalls to keep some money coming in, and on selling books from authors who have donated them is another way to do this.
No pressure of course, but if you might be interested please contact me in the first instance with price and particulars so that I can take this to our committee or not as the case may be.
Thank you for your time,
Charlie
Charlie,
I haven’t been too active on my site in replying to emails. I have now settled and built as much as I can right now. I’d like to help with the books. contact me through myke@bushcreatures.com.au let me know how I can help and I will talk up the line to see what we can do. I hope that in the future I can do something more I am working on a fundraising proposal to raise money for injured wildlife. Please give me a email.
Myke
Charlie,
I haven’t been too active on my site in replying to emails. I have now settled and built as much as I can right now. I’d like to help with the books. contact me through myke@bushcreatures.com.au let me know how I can help and I will talk up the line to see what we can do. I hope that in the future I can do something more I am working on a fundraising proposal to raise money for injured wildlife. Please give me a email.
Myke