Max Eaton ’04 learned how to handle the collaborative nature of publishing at St. Lawrence.

“My experiences working with professors at St. Lawrence contributed greatly to my current path in children's books,” explains the writer and illustrator. “From early sketches and drafts through final proofs and into marketing and promotion, you're constantly working side by side with people who are there to support, critique and guide your work in order to make it the best story that you're capable of producing. It was a seamless transition from working with art and writing professors at St. Lawrence.”

Eaton has had two children's books published with Random House in his “The Adventures of Max and Pinky” series so far. Best Buds is a 2008 International Reading Association and Children's Book Council Children's Choice Pick. The third is being released this October; he has a picture book, scheduled for next summer and a contract for a fifth book. (For more, go to www.maxandpinky.com).  He has spoken and done signings at book festivals from coast to coast, and has been invited to elementary schools throughout the Northeast to talk to children about what goes into creating picture books. 

An English and fine arts double major, Max was very active in the Outing Club, which he calls “a group of motivated, open-minded, intelligent students all living together and taking advantage of such an ideal location.  As a writer and illustrator the outdoors are still a primary influence and, I believe, crucial in the development of any student, whether in kindergarten or college,” he says. Beyond that, “there's nothing I enjoyed more than time spent on my work,” he adds.