GNY EP.212 | feat. Katie Risor
In this episode of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Katie Risor — author, illustrator, and graphic novelist living right here in Syracuse, NY. Katie is the creator behind *Welcome to the Forest*, an early reader graphic novel series featuring a cast of quirky forest creatures and their seasonal adventures. Her first book, *The Harvest Party*, captures the magic of fall, while the second installment, *The Lake Trip*, dives into a summer lake vacation — and she’s currently hard at work on a winter edition.
Katie shares the fascinating story behind her unique artistic process: she hand-paints every single page using gouache, a centuries-old water-soluble paint that dries opaque and matte — the same medium used for the iconic background paintings in Studio Ghibli films. She walks us through her workflow from thumbnail sketches to Affinity design software to printing on watercolor paper and, finally, painting by hand. At 80 pages per book, each one is roughly the equivalent of painting three picture books.
We also dive deep into the publishing industry. Katie breaks down the differences between agents, editors, art directors, and publishers in a way that’s accessible whether you’re a seasoned creator or someone who’s never thought about how books get made. She shares how she connected with her agent, Janna Morishima, through the Kids Comics Unite community, and offers candid insights into what it’s really like to work with an editor — including the time she convinced her publisher that Moss Man is canonically ambidextrous just to avoid a continuity error.
Beyond the craft, Katie talks about what she hopes young readers take away from her books: the importance of community, celebration, and working together. Every story ends with a party, inspired in part by the cozy, laid-back world of Tove Jansson’s Moomins. She also reflects on how moving from San Antonio, Texas to Syracuse transformed her relationship with the seasons — and how that shift made its way onto the page.
Katie also highlights the surprising depth of Syracuse’s children’s literature scene, from Eric Carle and L. Frank Baum’s connections to the area, to local illustrator London Ladd, fellow author-illustrator Lauren Stoler, and beloved neighborhood spots like The Golden Bee Bookshop and The Curd Nerd. Whether you’re a parent, an aspiring artist, or just curious about the world of publishing, this episode is packed with insight, warmth, and plenty of laughs.
Find Katie’s portfolio and books at katierizer.com and request her titles at your local library!
Chapters:
0:00 — Cold Open
0:09 — Welcome & Introduction
0:37 — *Welcome to the Forest* Series & Gouache
2:35 — Katie’s Creative Process
6:02 — Seasons & Syracuse Inspiration
9:28 — Meet the Characters
11:07 — Katie’s Art Journey
14:15 — School Visits & Teaching Kids
16:18 — Advice for Young Artists
18:01 — The Publishing Industry Explained
23:25 — Working with an Editor
27:16 — Themes & Takeaways for Kids
28:54 — Lessons Between Book 1 & Book 2
32:49 — Reading Comics as a Creator
34:18 — Local Syracuse Authors & Bookstores
38:57 — Where to Find Katie’s Work
39:40 — Outro
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