Name: Loryn Brantz
Age: 32
Job Title and Description: Author of Feminist Baby, a bestselling children’s book from Disney Publishing, and the sequel, Feminist Baby Finds Her Voice, out May 15. Also a senior writer/illustrator at BuzzFeed, illustrator and comic artist.
College Name/Major: Traditional Animation
Website: lorynbrantz.com
Twitter Handle: @LorynBrantz
Instagram Handle: @lorynbrantz
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
LB: Every day is a new and crazy adventure! Typically I get to my job at BuzzFeed around 9:30 a.m. and have breakfast. The rest of the day is either drawing or writing comics, posts, or storyboards and meetings. Then around 5:30 p.m. I head to my home office where, depending on what phase my book is in, either write, draw or do PR for upcoming projects.
What is the best part of your job?
LB: Hands down, the ability to reach so many people in a positive way. Whether that’s making someone laugh through a comic or a learning moment for a baby reading one of my books like Feminist Baby. All I’ve ever wanted was to positively impact the world using my art and I feel like I really get to do that now.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
LB: I was an intern at an animation studio in Brooklyn, Dancing Diablo, where we did the color design for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was lucky enough to get the connection through a school program and just went on over there in a snowstorm to do a very nervous interview and gratefully got the job.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
LB: My dad told me when I was very young to “not be a victim of life” and I take that attitude with me into my job as well.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
LB: Early on in my job at BuzzFeed I didn’t take the advice of a very knowledgeable editor about a piece I was working on, and will always regret that. I learned to listen better and be better at taking criticism after that.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
LB: Getting a great review of Feminist Baby from New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist Roxane Gay, who said, “Pictures, here, really are worth a thousand words… making feminism accessible with a keen understanding of what kids need to know about [it] in their young lives… Feminist Baby is not just for babies. It’s for all of us.” It felt like I was dreaming.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
LB: Someone detail-oriented with follow through. I also greatly appreciate enthusiasm and passion.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
LB: Every rejection is just one step closer to success. I can’t even count how many children’s book rejection letters I’ve accrued over the years. Use the rejections to fuel your fire, don’t give up.
What’s the one thing that’s stood out to you the most in a resume?
LB: I love when a resume has a funny drawing on it, but that wouldn’t fly for some jobs!