Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
Designing
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Editing
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Find and Hire a Professional Illustrator for Your Book
How to Find and Hire a Professional Illustrator for Your Book
For many self-published authors, bringing their story to life requires the help of a professional illustrator. Unless you’re an artist yourself or have an illustrator in mind, finding the right one is crucial to ensuring your book's visuals match the tone and themes of your story. Whether you’re creating a children’s picture book, a graphic novel, or any other illustrated book, here’s how to find and hire the perfect illustrator for your project.
Why Hire a Professional Illustrator?
Working with a professional illustrator can elevate your book by adding visual depth and enhancing the storytelling. Illustrators bring a unique artistic style that complements your narrative, making your book more engaging, memorable, and appealing to readers.
- Visual Storytelling: Illustrators can enhance your story by adding layers of meaning through their art, especially in picture books where images are central to the narrative.
- Professional Quality: A skilled illustrator will deliver high-quality, polished artwork that gives your book a professional finish, making it more marketable.
- Consistency and Style: An experienced illustrator knows how to maintain a consistent style throughout the book, ensuring the characters and settings are cohesive from page to page.
Where to Start Your Search for an Illustrator
There are multiple avenues you can explore when searching for the right illustrator, whether you want to keep your search local or expand it online. Here are some key places to start:
1. Local Searches
Finding an illustrator locally can be a great way to build a close, collaborative relationship. Here’s how to begin your local search:
- Art Schools: Art schools and colleges often have talented students or recent graduates who are looking for work. Check local institutions for portfolio showcases or connect with their career services departments to find illustrators looking for projects.
- Community Art Groups: Local art groups, clubs, or co-working spaces can connect you with artists who specialize in various styles. Attend local exhibitions or community art events to meet illustrators in person.
- Referrals and Recommendations: Ask around in your network for illustrator recommendations. Fellow authors, teachers, or creative professionals may know talented illustrators who have experience working on self-published books.
2. Online Platforms
The internet offers a wealth of opportunities to find illustrators from all over the world. Many professional illustrators use online platforms to showcase their work and find clients. Some popular platforms include:
- Reedsy: A platform specifically for self-publishing authors, Reedsy allows you to connect with experienced book illustrators who have portfolios showcasing their work. You can browse illustrators, view their past projects, and request quotes.
- Fiverr: Fiverr offers a wide variety of freelance illustrators who cater to different budgets. While it’s essential to carefully review their portfolios and ratings, this platform provides options for affordable illustration services.
- Upwork: Upwork is another freelance marketplace where you can post your project and invite illustrators to submit proposals. You can also search profiles and review portfolios to find an illustrator whose style matches your vision.
- Behance: Behance is a portfolio site where illustrators showcase their work. You can browse through thousands of illustrators to find one whose style fits your book, and contact them directly to discuss your project.
- Instagram and Social Media: Many illustrators use platforms like Instagram to display their work. Searching for hashtags related to illustration or children's books can help you discover artists with styles you admire.
What to Look For in an Illustrator
When you’ve found a few illustrators you’re interested in, there are several important factors to consider before making your decision. Here’s what to look for:
- Style: Does the illustrator’s style match the tone and mood of your book? Take a close look at their portfolio to see if their artistic approach aligns with your vision.
- Experience: Has the illustrator worked on similar projects before? Experience with children’s books or graphic novels can be a big plus, as they’ll be familiar with common formats, pacing, and layout considerations.
- Consistency: Make sure the illustrator has a consistent style throughout their portfolio. This is especially important for longer books where consistency in character design and overall look is key to a cohesive experience.
- Communication and Collaboration: Find out how they prefer to communicate and collaborate on projects. Are they responsive to feedback? Good communication ensures a smooth working relationship.
- Budget and Timeline: Be upfront about your budget and timeline expectations. Ask about their rates, how they structure payment (e.g., per illustration or per project), and their availability to meet your deadlines.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Illustrator
Before you officially hire an illustrator, it’s important to ask a few key questions to ensure you're both on the same page:
- What is your process for creating illustrations? Find out if the illustrator works in stages (e.g., concept sketches, followed by final illustrations) and how often they check in with you during the process.
- How many revisions do you allow? Some illustrators include a set number of revisions in their rates, while others may charge extra for additional changes. Be clear about how flexible they are with revisions.
- Can you provide a timeline? Make sure the illustrator can meet your deadlines, especially if you’re working on a tight schedule. Ask for a clear timeline of when you can expect drafts and final artwork.
- What are your rates, and what does that include? Clarify how much the project will cost and what’s included (e.g., number of illustrations, revisions, file formats). You should also discuss copyright and usage rights for the final artwork.
Working with an Illustrator
Once you’ve hired an illustrator, the collaboration process begins. Here are some tips to make the project run smoothly:
- Provide a Clear Brief: Give your illustrator a detailed brief that includes the style you’re looking for, key elements of your story, and any specific ideas or references for how you want the illustrations to look.
- Be Open to Their Ideas: Illustrators bring their own creative expertise to the table, so be open to their suggestions. They may come up with visual ideas that enhance the story in ways you hadn’t considered.
- Review Drafts and Give Constructive Feedback: As the illustrator sends drafts, review them carefully and provide clear, constructive feedback. Be specific about what you like or want to change to avoid misunderstandings.
- Respect Their Creative Process: While it’s important to provide feedback, respect the illustrator’s creative process. Allow them the space and time to produce their best work.