illustration

[Nateskate]

I'd met someone of prominance. They aren't an agent or publisher, but they deal with the industry in other capacities- from books to screenplays into movies. They suggested I get an illustrator, since I'm doing an epic fantasy- in my mind its more of an elaborate fairy tale. All the same, what do you think about showing your concepts of your world from the get-go? Does anyone do this? I'd do it in a heartbeat if it makes a difference, but at what point do you think about this?

I'd talked with some illustrators. They are good but they do cost money. At this point, since I'm not yet signed with anyone, is this an unwise step? I figured once a publisher wants it, then submit maps...etc. Or is this a wise investment? Even a pro-rudimentary map wasn't cheap.

[Mistook]

I know of a freelance illustrator who does very nice work at rock bottom prices... me ;)

[Christine N.]

I don't want to speak out of turn, but I have always been told NOT to submit a manuscript with any illustrations. I think a map is ok.. but don't quote me on that. Publishers have in house people who illustrate, if you get illustrations with your book, which is also up to the publisher.

If I'm mistaken, someone please correct me.

[veinglory]

It does seem like an odd idea to me.

[Jamesaritchie]

I'd met someone of prominance. They aren't an agent or publisher, but they deal with the industry in other capacities- from books to screenplays into movies. They suggested I get an illustrator, since I'm doing an epic fantasy- in my mind its more of an elaborate fairy tale. All the same, what do you think about showing your concepts of your world from the get-go? Does anyone do this? I'd do it in a heartbeat if it makes a difference, but at what point do you think about this?

I'd talked with some illustrators. They are good but they do cost money. At this point, since I'm not yet signed with anyone, is this an unwise step? I figured once a publisher wants it, then submit maps...etc. Or is this a wise investment? Even a pro-rudimentary map wasn't cheap.

Not usually a good idea. Publishers have their own illustrators, their own idea of how things should work and look, and their own ideas about what is and isn't marketable. And they have extreme ideas about the cost of a book.

If the fantasy novel needs maps, either the publisher's illustrator can do them, or if you want a crack at it yourself, there are very good map programs that cost little or nothing.

But again, first catch the rabbit.

[victoriastrauss]

They suggested I get an illustrator, since I'm doing an epic fantasy- in my mind its more of an elaborate fairy tale. All the same, what do you think about showing your concepts of your world from the get-go?Adult books from commercial publishers don't generally have illustrations. Where they do, they're either an author-illustrator collaboration, or the illustrator is provided by the publisher.

Maps can be an exception. The publisher may not want to spring for a map, in which case they're usually happy for you to provide a map yourself, as long as it's of professional quality. But the time to discuss these issues is after you've been offered a contract, not before. Either way, illustrations and maps should not accompany submissions.

- Victoria

[katdad]

When you say "doing an epic fantasy" do you mean you're writing a book?

This person of, er, "prominance" [sic] may not have given you the best advice. What does your agent think? I'd recommend you run this idea past your agent first.

AFTER your book is sold, you may offer the publisher some illustrations, which they may or may not accept, but these should not accompany your book submissions. It has to stand on its own, with words alone.

If you want to spend your own money hiring an illustrator, just for your own pleasure, to see some of your ideas rendered, that's okay. Go for it.

But think of all the books published, how few are illustrated. If your book is sold, it will likely come out in trade paperback, no illustrations except for perhaps a map (if that).

Should you be one of the fortunate few to garner a hardcover edition, then that's when you may wish to pitch some favorite illustrations to your publisher.

[maestrowork]

Worry about illustrations, etc. once you get an agent -- better yet, once you get a publisher.

[Nateskate]

I know of a freelance illustrator who does very nice work at rock bottom prices... me ;)

Tease!

[Nateskate]

Adult books from commercial publishers don't generally have illustrations. Where they do, they're either an author-illustrator collaboration, or the illustrator is provided by the publisher.

Maps can be an exception. The publisher may not want to spring for a map, in which case they're usually happy for you to provide a map yourself, as long as it's of professional quality. But the time to discuss these issues is after you've been offered a contract, not before. Either way, illustrations and maps should not accompany submissions.

- Victoria

Okay. Sounds easier for me. Will they ask you about your ideas?

Next question: If you have ideas for illustrations which I have, and eventually want to see, does the illustrator then have to get permission from your publisher, or from you, or both. Is that a "negotiated right" to be aware of?

[katdad]

Okay. Sounds easier for me. Will they ask you about your ideas?
Next question: If you have ideas for illustrations which I have, and eventually want to see, does the illustrator then have to get permission from your publisher, or from you, or both. Is that a "negotiated right" to be aware of?

Publishers will be amenable to suggestions from the author, certainly. This of course assumes that the publisher plans a hardcover (or fancy paperback) edition of your famous novel that will contain illustrations.

Understand that such a possibility is quite rare -- ask yourself how many new writers get illustrated editions? Zero, zip, nada is the probable answer.

So AFTER your agent is agreed with you about illustrations, and AFTER your book gets sold, THEN you can approach the publisher with your ideas for illustrations. And if you have a particular artist in mind, the publisher will be happy to listen to you. Just understand that the answer may likely be "No."

Example - In one of my magazine articles, I had already been accepted for publication, and then I called the editor and asked whether some photos might be added. She said "sure" but we reserve the right to reject the pics. We chatted a bit and she gave me a dollar figure for the photos, IF they accepted them.

I got with a professional photog pal and he took the pics, which were accepted, and he got paid nicely, separately from me. He however did understand that the photos might be rejected and his time would be unpaid.

Just remember that this was AFTER my article was accepted without photos.

The next time the editor approved the photos up front, because the original submissions were so nice, and we had a "proven" track record.

My recommendation is that you focus on working with your agent to get your book sold in the first place, and make illustrations a side issue. Otherwise, you may unconsciously detract from your verbal "painting" and emphasize the illustrations that don't exist in the first place. Put all your effort into the text.

That being said, if you have a separate, sidebar interest in the illustrations, there's nothing wrong about toying with possible ideas and concepts. Just don't let it detract from the words.

[Nateskate]

Publishers will be amenable to suggestions from the author, certainly. This of course assumes that the publisher plans a hardcover (or fancy paperback) edition of your famous novel that will contain illustrations.

Understand that such a possibility is quite rare -- ask yourself how many new writers get illustrated editions? Zero, zip, nada is the probable answer.

So AFTER your agent is agreed with you about illustrations, and AFTER your book gets sold, THEN you can approach the publisher with your ideas for illustrations. And if you have a particular artist in mind, the publisher will be happy to listen to you. Just understand that the answer may likely be "No."

Example - In one of my magazine articles, I had already been accepted for publication, and then I called the editor and asked whether some photos might be added. She said "sure" but we reserve the right to reject the pics. We chatted a bit and she gave me a dollar figure for the photos, IF they accepted them.

I got with a professional photog pal and he took the pics, which were accepted, and he got paid nicely, separately from me. He however did understand that the photos might be rejected and his time would be unpaid.

Just remember that this was AFTER my article was accepted without photos.

The next time the editor approved the photos up front, because the original submissions were so nice, and we had a "proven" track record.

My recommendation is that you focus on working with your agent to get your book sold in the first place, and make illustrations a side issue. Otherwise, you may unconsciously detract from your verbal "painting" and emphasize the illustrations that don't exist in the first place. Put all your effort into the text.

That being said, if you have a separate, sidebar interest in the illustrations, there's nothing wrong about toying with possible ideas and concepts. Just don't let it detract from the words.

Yes, I'm jumping the gun a bit. I can't imagine why I'm wanting a book of illustrations before I've even sold one book. It was just a part of my overall dream, and I haven't given it up. But even for my web-site (future) I'd pay an illustrator to work with me on some illustrations.

An illustrator who is published once asked me to work with her on an illustrated children's book. But at the moment, I'm overwhelmed just finishing this project- one project at a time. If I can sell this book, then if my hands don't fall off, maybe. But I've drawn concepts of my story, and it just lends itself to illustration. I'm just not good enough to translate my thoughts onto paper, except in a raw form.

[Christine N.]

Shhh.... my publisher puts at least eight illustrations in all their books. They're black and white, but so far all of their books have them. I have one romance and one fantasy (adult) from them, and both have illustrations.

Tee hee. If you wanna see the ones for my book (which is, in fact, for children 9-12 years old) click on the link below.

[Mistook]

... But even for my web-site (future) I'd pay an illustrator to work with me on some illustrations...

If you do go that route, drop me a line. The type of illustrations I do are specifically for the web. I usually start out with a hand drawn line-drawing, scan it in, and develop it with software from there.

There are numerous examples of my illustrations and graphic designs on my website, and this is a skill I'm always developing, so I'd be glad to create a "freebie" for you, so that you could decide whether it was right for your purposes.

:)

[Nateskate]

If you do go that route, drop me a line. The type of illustrations I do are specifically for the web. I usually start out with a hand drawn line-drawing, scan it in, and develop it with software from there.

There are numerous examples of my illustrations and graphic designs on my website, and this is a skill I'm always developing, so I'd be glad to create a "freebie" for you, so that you could decide whether it was right for your purposes.

:)

Wow. Some time I'd like to see your illustrations anyway.

[Mistook]

There's supposed to be an "Art Gallery" section of my site, but I haven't gotten around to filling it in yet. But many of my drawings are worked into every other section, including the album-pages. Also I change the splash page (entry page) every month, and each one links to the previous in a chain.

Anyway, just click the link in my sig-line below, or check my profile for the addy if you're ever curious.

PS - site is not friendly to mac users I'm told.

[Nateskate]

There's supposed to be an "Art Gallery" section of my site, but I haven't gotten around to filling it in yet. But many of my drawings are worked into every other section, including the album-pages. Also I change the splash page (entry page) every month, and each one links to the previous in a chain.

Anyway, just click the link in my sig-line below, or check my profile for the addy if you're ever curious.

PS - site is not friendly to mac users I'm told.

Mistook, you have some great stuff in there, really creative and deep. I'm really impressed. By the way, glad to see you love pets too. Way cool!

Nate- a new Mistook fan.

By the way- if other's check it out, if you click on the gallery, and then on the picture, it will take you to more pictures. At least that's how it worked for me.

[Mistook]

Mistook, you have some great stuff in there, really creative and deep. I'm really impressed. By the way, glad to see you love pets too. Way cool!

Nate- a new Mistook fan.

By the way- if other's check it out, if you click on the gallery, and then on the picture, it will take you to more pictures. At least that's how it worked for me.

Thank you, Nate. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the site.

[Nateskate]

Thank you, Nate. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the site.

Very much. Wonder how many others will peek now?