Meet Mike Yuen-Killick, Editorial and Creative Director at Red Comet Press!

I’m thrilled today to be interviewing my editor of We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court at Red Comet Press. Not only was he the editor, but creative director as well.

He was the person who found illustrator Victor Bizar Gomez and did all the little touches to make this such a beautiful picture book! The embossed cover! The jacket cover which is different from the actual book cover! The beautiful paper stock!

Mike Yuen-Killick, Editorial and Creative Director at Red Comet Press

1) Describe your journey to becoming both an editor and creative director for Red Comet Press.

Most of my career has been in storytelling of one sort or another. So, when we conceived of Red Comet Press, it was natural for me to take on those roles. I think it is a benefit to come to the table with skills as an editor, creative director, and designer. I can envision the path—from manuscript to matching it with an illustrator, to how it ends up getting printed and feels in your hands.

2) Why did you decide to acquire We Sing From the Heart? I understand that it needed quite a bit of work on the editorial side … 🙂

We Sing From the Heart was an exciting project from the first read. First, it was relatively new to me, so that is a huge plus. Second, there is so much history and as a book that is about free speech and Asian rights, the decision was easy.

3) What was your vision visually for We Sing From the Heart and how did you find the illustrator?

I always start with the manuscript and what I think is the intention. Then I imagine what the world of the book will be and find someone who can make that world a reality. I really wanted this book to reflect the attitude and atmosphere of an indie record—it’s one of the reasons we went with a square format. It needed to be uncompromising, be a bit in your face, and look and feel different. I found Victor Bizar Gomez on Instagram and made a mental note of how impressive his work was. We were thrilled to have him on board for his picture book debut!

4) What is your favorite page spread and why?

I think the Supreme Court one where you see the lower part of a few faces and what Victor created with the collars and the wonderfully bold black spread just appeals to all my design senses. It tells a story, with simplicity. I think it is stunning.

5) What are you working on now for Red Comet Press? Is there a particular direction or an exciting bit of news that you want to (or are able to) share?

One of the exciting things about Red Comet Press is that all of our books are so different from each other, yet all have commonalities like SEL themes, unique points of view, and working with some of the most talented established and upcoming authors and illustrators. And of course, I just love working with you, Mia. I love how you throw aside any pretense and just want to get to the heart of what will work and be true to the story. You have a specialty in blending non-fiction and fiction in a really creative storytelling way. So the more books we can work on together, the better.

Thank you for this interview, Mike! I am going to hold you to your promise of working on more books with me! Promise is a strong word, I know, but that is what I am interpreting! 🙂

Mike Yuen-Killick’s extensive experience includes VP of Marketing at Crossroads Live North America; Senior Director of Marketing & Sales at South Street Seaport Museum; and Director of Marketing and Outreach, an Obie Award-winning PlayCo.

For 18 years he was a co-founder and partner at MK Advertising, which included being the agency of record for Showtime’s B2B business, ABC Daytime, Hachette Publishing and clients including AMC, Bravo, MTV, Doubleday, Scholastic, Crown, Macmillan, St. Martin’s Press, and campaigns for John Grisham, Dan Brown, David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, Candace Bushnell, Mo Willems, James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, Ally Condie, and Lane Smith, to name a few. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

p.s. Related posts:

Picture Book Announcement: We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court (out Fall 2024 through Red Comet Press)

Red Comet Press Spring 2023 Books

Red Comet Press Fall 2022 Books

Introducing Red Comet Press Children’s Books

We Sing From the Heart picture book featured in THE FIRE

WE SING FROM THE HEART Book Trailer!

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