Dallas Clayton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Occupation | Illustrator, writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Notable works | An Awesome Book! |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | |
| dallasclayton | |
Dallas Clayton is an American author and illustrator best known for his children's works in the Awesome Book series.
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]
After the birth of his son in 2003,[ citation needed ] Clayton wrote, illustrated, and published An Awesome Book!, a 64-page children's picture book about "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 sold over 50,000 copies to date.[ citation needed ][ when? ]
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 the children's book of the same title. [4]
Clayton released his next book, An Awesome Book of Thanks! (2010) through online bookseller Amazon.com's new publishing imprint, AmazonEncore. [5] [6] An Awesome Book of Thanks! followed the pattern of An Awesome Book!, this time delivering a message about the importance of being thankful.
In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter announced [7] that Clayton had signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins as well a two-book deal with Candlewick Press. An Awesome Book! received a full scale re-release from Harpercollins in March 2012. [8] 2012 also saw the release of Awesome Book of Love! (Harper). [9]
Clayton released a collection of children's poetry entitled Make Magic! Do Good! (Candlewick Press) in 2012. [10]
He released a "children's book for adults" entitled It's Never Too Late through P. Putnam's Sons in 2013. [11]
Clayton's 2014 releases included A is for Awesome and Lily the Unicorn.[ citation needed ]
In 2016, he wrote an early draft of a film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon for Sony Pictures Animation before the film was cancelled. [12]
Clayton, along with Australian singer-songwriter Sia, wrote the screenplay for musical film Music , which was released February 2021. [13]
With actress Shannyn Sossamon, Clayton has one son, named Audio Science, who was born on May 29, 2003.[ citation needed ]
Clayton founded the non-profit Awesome World Foundation in 2009 with the intention of traveling the world, reading to kids, and promoting childhood literacy. [14] The foundation has donated books worldwide and supported various other children's causes. [15]