I have been a children's book writer & illustrator for 25 years & have had over 100 titles published all around the world. Below are some questions that I am often asked about writing & illustrating for children's books.
I hope that you find the answers useful.
How do I become a children's book illustrator or writer?
The main thing is to draw & write as often as
you possibly can. I know this sounds obvious but, the more you draw and
write, the better you'll get. At the same time you'll also build up a
body of work to show publishers & agents. Qualifications are not necessary as your writing and pictures will speak for themselves.
What resources are there to become a children's book writer or illustrator?
There are plenty of books and web sites to look at - some of which are excellent. A really good start is probably
The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook,published every year. It is well-worth buying but can usually found in the reference section of your local library as well. Visiting your local bookshop is also a very good way to find out what is currently being published.
How can I promote myself as a children's book writer or illustrator?
Websites can be brilliant for getting yourself
known. If you have one, try to update it regularly and make sure
publishers & agents know about anything new that you place on your site -
ideally try to link sites with them. Blogs can also be an excellent way to keep people interested in your work.
How can I get a children's book literary or artist's agent?
Getting one has probably never been easy as agents
are very selective. But finding one should make getting work much
easier. Many publishers will take you more seriously if you have an
agent - but not all - some prefer to work directly with children's book
writer's and illustrator's.
Which children's book publisher or agent should I approach?
It's always a good idea to see what type of
children's book they are interested in first. The big publishers and
agents are usually happy to look at a wide range of children's books,
but the smaller ones might specialise in only one area, like picture
books, non-fiction or novelty books.
When you are ready, send them an email or letter
asking if they would be interested in seeing your work. If possible,
find out the name of the person to contact by phoning or emailing first.
What is a publisher or agent looking for?
This is almost impossible to answer, but some things
do seem to help. It can be really useful if you can write &
illustrate as this means the publisher or agent only has to work with
one person.
It also helps to be aware that children's books
often have to sell in more than one country. For example, everyone in
the UK knows what a hedgehog is - but readers in the United States will
probably have no idea of what they are.
What else do I need to know?
It's a good idea to know about some of the technical
stuff. A working knowledge of copyright, rights, contracts, etc. is
very useful. This is all covered in the Writer's and Artist's Yearbook.
