Children's books are not always about the words and the morals. Sometimes children's books are about the illustration.
Contrary to popular belief, most children's book illustrators are actually hired by the publishing company rather than the author of the book. Sometimes this can be upsetting for prospective children's book writers that really wanted to illustrate their book according to their own visions.
Sadly, most publishers have artists they already like to use. So if you are a children's book writer that badly wants to illustrate their own book, you are left with only a few options:
Option 1 - Self publish
It's an incredibly difficult process, but self publishing may be one of the only ways to publish your children's book with your own illustrations. Selling them can be an arduous task, though the internet does provide a way for you to try to sell your story.
Companies that allow you to self publish are available almost anywhere, though they often charge hefty fees in order to allow you to print your work. Often times this method is best when you have a lot of time to dedicate to marketing the book and money to dedicate to its printing. Still, this may be the best option for those that simply don't want to find another provider.
Option 2 - Show the publisher that you are an artist
It may be difficult to self-publish, but it is even more difficult to convince a publishing house that you are both a writer and an artist - especially when they don't know you. When you first send a manuscript, these companies do not want to receive manuscript after manuscript filled with unprofessional illustrations clogging up their mailbox and wasting paper.
But that does not mean it is impossible. If you perfect your images to show these publishers that you truly are the artist meant to take the lead on the work, you can get your work published together. If it is your first time publishing, however, be sure and expect a few extra rejections than you would normally get. The busiest publishers will not even look at a manuscript if it appears that a lot of superfluous paperwork has arrived with it.
Option 3 - Design the templates for the art, but allow the publisher to find the illustrator themselves
Before you assume you are the best person to illustrate the work, consider for a moment: Are you really the best artist for the work? Or do you simply have a vision you want to portray? If it is the former, consider options 1 or 2, but if, like most people, it is the latter - consider drawing out rough sketches of your visions but allowing the publisher to do what they do best. These sketches should be professional, as always, but at least you are not imposing something on the publishing company that they may not be happy with.
Option 4 - Illustrate?
For some people, publishing a children's book is a goal not because of the story, but because of the illustration. In these cases, why not consider sending in samples to publishing companies and becoming just an illustrator instead? If you prefer to paint or draw and children's book storylines are less important, becoming an illustrator is always an option. And, once your foot is in the door, you can always come out with a children's book of your own someday.
These days, "Children's books" have become synonymous with "colorful illustration." Because of this, many people want to publish a children's book with their own illustrations. If this is the case for you, consider one of these three options. You may not get exactly what you want, but you can still be a children's book creator regardless.
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