Children's Books Need Find Own Illustrator

 So you've written a children's book and you're wondering, What about the pictures? This question often comes up a lot and it's one of the most common questions asked by a new children's writer-- "Do I need to find an illustrator for my picture book?" The answer is no. Unless you are a professional-quality illustrator, do not submit illustrations with your manuscript. You'll clearly come off as an amateur, and the publisher may shy-away from you because of it. Instead, sit back and concentrate on your writing. It's hard enough to get your writing publishedimagine selling your writing AND pictures!

As a writer of picture books, your job is to imagine the illustrations in your head as you're writing the story. By doing this, it's easy to become attached to the illustrations in your mind and when you land that book contract, you feel compelled to convey your vision. However, a publisher is the one who knows what will sell a book and their job is to match an illustrator with a manuscript. Publishers have illustrators they like to work with and will pick the illustrator they think has the best style for your manuscript.

When you're lucky enough to land your contract, discuss your thoughts of the illustrations with your editor, but leave it up to them to do their job and find the perfect illustrator. If it's not what you had in mind, you have to decide if you want to turn down that offer and find another editor who has the same ideas as you. Be confident that an illustrator will take your story and put his or her edge on it. That's the magic of a picture book.

One of the hardest things for an author to do is to find the right publisher for their book. It takes researching publishers' catalogs to find the place that your book will fit in. That includes looking at the illustrations and style of each publishing house. If you think the illustration style for a certain house is amateur and not up to your standards, don't send your manuscript to that publisher.

I've heard of authors who have no contact whatsoever with their illustrator and I've heard of authors who have some say in the design. It depends on the editor, your experience, and the illustrator. However, the main rule of thumb is do not describe how you see the illustrations, except in cases where the illustration is required for the story, and not indicated in the text. Only experienced authors with many published works can put a clause in their contract to approve or oversee the illustration process.

If you're one of the few who has the talent to write and illustrate, then go for it! Why split your royalties in half when you don't have to? It's a no brainer! Put together a dummy book with your text and illustrations and submit with 2 or 3 completed illustrations. Be sure to emphasize in your cover letter whether or not you want the text and illustrations to be considered separately. There's the chance an editor might like your story, but not your illustrations. Are you willing to search around for that publisher who wants both or are you willing to sacrifice one for a contract? You have to decide.

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature and a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.


To learn more, please visit http://www.loricalabrese.com

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