Breaking In as a Children’s Book Illustrator
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Many creatives wonder about pursuing a career as a children’s book illustrator. If you have passion and skill in the field and want to make beautiful illustrations for children’s books, keep reading.
How to Break in as a Children’s Book Illustrator
One of our Good Story Learning members had a great question recently: Must she "prove" herself in writing or illustration before being taken seriously as a children’s book illustrator? Are there any shortcuts here?
The picture book industry has really expressed a recent preference for picture books from an “author illustrator,” meaning one person who acts as both the writer and the children’s book illustrator. These creators both write and draw, and both of these skills are strong enough that they can put together a picture book project that’s compelling and attractive to publishers.
It’s important to note that most people who do author illustrator work started out as a children’s book illustrator first, then trained themselves to write manuscripts. The two necessary skill sets here are different, and illustration tends to be “harder” and to take more natural talent and rigorous training. (At least in the early stages of being a children’s book illustrator, before discouragement sets in and most people are tempted to quit. The ones who persevere are rewarded with a career in a very tough field.)
Furthermore, many editors look favorably on author illustrator projects because the whole package is present: text, art, the combination of both, and even layout and interior design. You’re not “just” a writer trying to sell a manuscript, or “just” a children’s book illustrator supplying visuals. You are telling the story in both words and pictures, and that’s a special skill set that’s in demand.
The Benefits of Being a Children’s Book Illustrator and Author In One
Some agents and editors are more skilled than others in matching text with a suitable children’s book illustrator and vice versa. Manuscripts intended for picture books can get agent and publisher attention (and many text-only sales are still made every day). Similarly, illustration portfolios can be submitted to agents and editors if you’re a children’s book illustrator and have no writing skills (yet).
Sometimes, these pieces are incomplete until they meet their perfect fit. It takes the right editor, agent, or art director, as well as luck, to make the right connection between a writer and an illustrator. When these two pieces don't match well, the production process can become difficult. That's why editors usually opt for acquiring author illustrator projects: it's simpler to work with just one creator.
Children’s Book Illustrator and Author Teams
This effect can also be achieved if a team makes a match as an author and illustrator duo (you can read more about “how to find an illustrator for my children’s book" here). These arrangements bring to the table a better idea of how to combine text and image in a way that adds more value to the project. When I open a dummy from an excellent children’s book illustrator and author team, or an individual author illustrator, it’s as if everything gels.
Do you have to begin as an author illustrator to be successful? It depends. If you have an appealing picture book idea that could be marketable, it could sell, even if you don't have prior credits as either an author or children’s book illustrator or both. You could also try to land a text or an illustration deal before creating a combination of the two. Illustration credits are not essential for landing an author illustrator book, though they do help.
No matter what, know that being a children’s book illustrator takes a lot of either talent or practice (or both).
How Does a Children’s Book Illustrator Submit a Book to a Literary Agent or Publisher?
Now, some people have questions about submission guidelines for a children’s book illustrator. Most agents don’t accept attachments, so you would need to present your dummy—a sketch example of what the final book would look like, with a few finished spreads (called mock finishes) and text layout—another way.
Copy and paste your query letter and the text into an email (or into the agent’s submission form) and make it clear that you’re a children’s book illustrator. Then add a link to your online portfolio (which every children’s book illustrator should have, even those new to the technical side of things). You can also link directly to your dummy or illustrations via Dropbox or host them on a password-protected page of your site. If agents like your artwork style, they will ask to see more.
One bonus tip for breaking in as a children’s book illustrator or writer (or both) is to finalize the story and manuscript first, then illustrate it. Otherwise, you are in for potentially difficult revisions on both the text and art fronts.
Elevate Your Storytelling
Wherever you are in your writing journey—from an initial outline to a draft to pitching your project—the experienced team at Good Story Editing can take your work to the next level.