<p>How does one become a professional cartoonist? In this episode, I talk with New Yorker cartoonist Tom Toro, whose sharp wit clever drawings have kept readers laughing (and thinking) for more than fifteen years.</p><p>Toro’s debut book, And to Think We Started as a Book Club (out now from Simon &amp; Schuster), gathers the best of his cartoons from over a decade and a half at The New Yorker. In our conversation, we dig into the realities of professional cartooning — from the weekly grind of submissions and rejection, to the balance between writing and drawing, and the creative fire that keeps artists like Tom doing it anyway.</p><p>🙏 Thank you to all paid supporters on Patreon — without your support, this would be an expensive hobby. Thank you!</p><p>🟢 Listen on Spotify | 🟣 Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🔴 Listen/Watch on YouTube</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Cover of And to Think We Started as a Book Club …</p><p>IN THIS EPISODE</p><p>What it’s really like to be a New Yorker cartoonist — and why rejection is part of the job</p><p>How the relationship between writing and drawing defines the cartoon form</p><p>The secret to making a success New Yorker-worthy cartoon</p><p>Why embracing imperfection keeps art alive</p><p>How Tom feels about his body of work from the past 15 years</p><p><br></p><p>SHOW LINKS</p><p>Tom Toro’s Website — https://www.tomtoro.com</p><p>Tom Toro on Instagram — www.instagram.com/tbtoro</p><p>📕 And to Think We Started as a Book Club (Simon &amp; Schuster, Oct 7 2025) — https://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/book/and-to-think-we-started-as-a-book-club/</p><p>SLO-FI Illustrations (my new Skillshare class) — GET 30 DAYS FREE WHEN USING THIS LINK — https://skl.sh/4nbo3KT</p><p>📗 Drawing is Important — https://geni.us/DrawingisImportant</p><p><br></p><p>THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!</p><p>You can show your appreciation for the Thoughts on Illustration podcast by:</p><p>Sharing with your friends on social media</p><p>Liking / Following / Subscribing</p><p>Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts</p><p>Becoming a paid supporter on Patreon — patreon.com/tomfroese</p><p><br></p><p>FIND ME ELSEWHERE</p><p>Work and Classes — http://www.tomfroese.com</p><p>Instagram — http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese</p><p>Daily Drawings — http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant</p><p><br></p><p>CREDITS</p><p>Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — http://linktr.ee/semiathletic</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks for reading Thoughts on Illustration with Mr. Tom Froese! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>