Finding an Illustrator
Nov 6th, 2011 by MPC Press
I can’t draw; my pigs look like dogs. In every guide to getting a children’s book published (here is one), it is stated that publishers prefer that children’s book authors submit their work without pictures. The publishers want the job of pairing the authors with illustrators. I sent my first children’s book, Lawrence the Laughing Cookie Jar, to publishers back in about 2002, and I didn’t include illustrations. I wish I could offer the publishers’ views on the pros and cons of submittals with and without illustrations but most of the 30 publishers never responded and those that did, simply said, “we are not interested in your book, but thank you.” However, it does seem that the major publishers (you can go to their websites) prefer to introduce children’s book authors to their own illustrators, typically artists with whom they have previously worked. Anyway, knowing that my book would not be published, I looked in the mirror and suddenly found an expensive but quality publisher–Marks Publishing Company, now known as MPC Press International. Yes, I am talking about yours truly, the only publisher who could not say no to me. MPC Press simply smiled back in the mirror, knowing it would receive a healthy fee.
So my search for an illustrator began. And, MPC kindly offered to find me an illustrator! Not only had I been hired by a publisher, but this publisher was going to pay for my illustrator. For the next step, MPC (I, the author/publisher) went to the websites of two local art schools, The San Francisco Art Institute, and The Academy of Art College and posted help wanted ads. Within a couple of days, I had received emails from a dozen students and alumni who were ready to illustrate Lawrence the Laughing Cookie Jar. At this point, few of these people had websites displaying their portfolios so I met each one for coffee. (For my second children’s book, Rhyme, I was able to review the prospective illustrators’ work online.) As for my meetings, it was easy to say a quick “no thanks” to George and his morbid collection of skeleton drawings; these just weren’t right for this particular children’s book. And Laura’s graphic nudes didn’t make the cut. But Josephine Taylor’s work was more pleasant and appropriate and she became the illustrator of my first children’s book. Feel free to contact me for information on cost.
