We’re looking forward to introducing you to Maeve Norton. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Maeve, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
You know lately I’ve been doodling just for myself with no deadline or end goal and it’s been quite joyous. I’ve never been one of those people who always keep a sketch book on hand, and I am lucky that my 9-5 keeps me very creatively fulfilled, but over the last year I’ve felt a pull to explore what my own work means to me. Through doodling I’ve been able to ask myself what it means to create, how I create, what I want to put out in the world. It feels like a rebirth, or a reimagining, in a way. After over a decade in the doodling industry, I’m excited to see where this new push takes me. There really is no rest for us creatives.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well let’s see. My name is Maeve Norton. I’m originally from the Boston area but I am coming up on my 15th year in New York. I am an Art Director for middle grade and young adult novels at Scholastic. For those of you who may not be familiar, you can think of Harry Potter to Hunger Games in terms of age range. A few titles I work on are the Baby-Sitters Club franchise and Goosebumps as well as novels by best selling YA authors Ann Liang, Kelly Andrew, Lamar Giles, Brian Selznick and Ryan La Sala. While most of my days are spent on the older end of children’s publishing, in my personal time I create work for a younger audience. I’m currently working on my first picture book dummy! Aside from all the books, I love living in New York and roaming the city. I spend lots of time with my chubby cat Voodoo, hiking upstate with my man or searching for the best vegan food this city has to offer.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I absolutely love this question. I am a big believer in the ever-changing and ever-growing experience that is being human, especially a creative human. I think early in our careers we expect to get to a certain point and just sit there comfortably. But that isn’t the case, and thank god it’s not. Every day I am learning something new to better my work, and letting go of habits or practices that don’t serve me anymore. A lot of that has to do with getting to know yourself better over the years. Early on in my career I was listening, learning and letting others lead the way. I was more of a vehicle for creativity, instead of the driver. But, as I’ve built my confidence and voice, I’ve seen how the listening and learning served it’s purpose and now informs my decision making.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I almost gave up before I even started! When I was fresh out of college, I thought I had done everything right. I did all the internships, I networked my tush off and I worked up a strong portfolio. I really, truly thought I was the perfect candidate for a career in publishing, but it just wasn’t shaping up that way. No matter how much I applied or interviewed, nothing was landing. I remember sitting on the floor of my apartment thinking, ok so what is plan B? Do I become a librarian? Do I learn how to do hair? I kid you not, that same week I got a call from Scholastic and they asked me to come in. That whole experience really taught me that somewhere in the universe there is a perfectly you-sized window, and you just have to keep plummeting forward until you find it. Or it finds you!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I’m extremely lucky to have had a number of mentors over the years. There are a handful of people who have seen my work grow from the beginning and because of that they understand me and how I create in a very intimate way. These are the people whose ideas and feedback I rely on daily. I still reach out to my professors from Pratt for feedback, and I still share work with my Dad for his input. When you’re creative, you cannot work in a vacuum. Art is meant to be shared, and I believe it’s meant to be shared at every stage of the process.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
About a year ago, I shot out of bed and realized that if I were hit my a truck tomorrow (morbid, I know) I would forever regret not at least trying to get my picture book published. For over a decade now, I’ve had some ideas, sketches and loose book dummies rattling around my brain but never really sat with them and pushed through to finish. I never understood when people say ‘the work just came pouring out of me’ but something really did click and now, thankfully, I understand. And I’m really excited to start sharing bits of that project soon! I would urge any creative to ask themself if you only had tomorrow to make something happen what would it be, and dive in head first.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maevenorton.com
- Instagram: @maevenn
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