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How to Draw a Best-Seller: Inside 'Human Body Theater' with Maris Wicks

From the podcast Join The Fray

·21:21

Today, Fraser welcomes Maris Wicks to the show!

In this episode, Fraser sits down with the incredibly talented Maris Wicks, the author and illustrator behind some of your favorite science comics and books like 'Human Body Theater' 🧬🎨

In this episode, Maris talks about the "hardest parts" of her job, how she works with major book publishers like First Second and why having a "science job" actually makes her a better artist.

If you’ve ever had a big idea but didn’t know what to do next, Maris shares the exact steps to take to get started. Plus, stay tuned for a high-speed Rapid Fire Round where Maris has to choose between pencils and digital, and sharks and puffins! 🦈


Episode highlights include:

  • The "Detective" Beginnings 🕵️‍♀️Maris reveals that her path as a science communicator started at age five when she became obsessed with animal tracks and "scat" (animal poop). She explains how wanting to be a "nature detective" as a kid was one of the two guiding lights that led to her career as an author and educator.


  • From Ambulance to Author 🚑In a surprising career twist, Maris shares that she originally trained to be an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). While she ultimately decided it wasn't the right job for her, that hands-on medical training provided the deep "body knowledge" that allowed her to create the hit graphic novel Human Body Theater a decade later.


  • Field Research: The Smelly Side of Science 🐧Maris discusses her "boots on the ground" approach to research, including volunteering for two weeks on a tiny island off the coast of Maine to study puffins. She gives us the unglamorous truth about fieldwork—including sleeping in tents covered in bird poop—all to better understand the animals she illustrates.


    Support the show and our guest: Grab your copy of Human Body Theater on Amazon or where all great books are sold.

    • Follow Fraser's journey on Instagram @jointhefraypod and get ready to join the fray!


    Whether you’re into STEM, pro sports or movie making, Fraser is here to interview the experts and find out how youcan join the fray. Hit 'Follow' on Spotify and ApplePodcasts for weekly episodes that make career exploration fun and easy for the whole family!

    To share feedback on each episode, please leave a Commenthere on Spotify and follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jointhefraypodcast

    If you’d like to get in touch with your own career story,give feedback on this episode or even request an interview, email our team at jointhefraypod@gmail.com . We’d loveto hear from you!


    🚀 PROVINCIAL RESOURCES & CAREER PATHWAYS Looking to turn inspiration into action? Check outthese helpful resources for students and parents:

    • [Canada - BC] WorkBC Parents’ Guide: Discover career quizzes and labor market trends for the next decade.  WorkBC.ca
    • [Canada - BC] EducationPlannerBC: The one-stop-shop for planning post-secondary paths at schools like BCIT, SFU, and UVic. EducationPlannerBC.ca
    • [Canada- BC] Skills Ready: Focused on the "Skilled Trades" mentioned by BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey as the backbone of BC’s 2026 economy.  SkillsReady.ca
    • [UK] National Careers Service (Parents' Guide): They offer a specific "Help a young person" section. It includes a "Skills Health Check" that parents can help their kids take.  nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice
    •  [USA] CareerOneStop (Get My Future): A youth-focused portal designed for ages 14–24, but excellent for parents of 9–12 year olds to look at "Career Clusters. careeronestop.org/getmyfuture