There's still hope for those of you who want to include illustrations!

MsGneiss · Nov 11, 2009

I just pitched my second novel to my agent, and she went for it. There's a bit in it that I've written out as a comic book script (poorly, I admit). But, when I pitched it to her, I said that I envisioned that part as an illustrated component of the book. I also said that I realize that illustrations for first time authors are a big no-no, and that I am willing to re-write that subplot in some other way.

She wrote back 5 minutes later saying that it has become increasingly easier to sell (adult) books with illustrations, and that she is actually rather intrigued by the idea. So, she's going through it now, and I have my fingers crossed.

I held back with this novel because, in my silly naivete, I had hoped that my first book would sell to a reputable publisher, thus taking me out of the risky first-time author group, therefore making it more likely that a book with an illustrated bit would be picked up. But seeing how my first novel is still in editor limbo, I decided to go forth with this.

Anyway, that is all.

stormie · Nov 11, 2009

That's good news, but keep in mind--you're writing a novel for adults ( a graphic novel, I'd guess) and you already have an agent. There is another writer on these boards whose graphic novel is now in final revisions.

That said, it's still hard for a writer to submit a picture book for children with illustrations included. Most publishers match the PB author with one of the illustrators that they've usually already used or that the illustrator's agent recommends.

MsGneiss · Nov 11, 2009

This book may get categorized into the YA group, although I didn't set out to write it this way. I would like there to be a small graphic component to it (yes, ala graphic novel) but I am not doing the illustrations. I can't even draw stick figures! Fortunately, my agent has some interest in graphic novels, which is perhaps why this idea appealed to her. I was just so hesitant to even mention the illustrations, because I know how challenging it is to sell books like that. I wasn't even going to pitch this book until I had something sold (ha, ha, sigh). But her feedback indicated that it may not be the case so much these days, especially in the YA space.

katiemac · Nov 11, 2009

I can think of two bestselling novels for adults that included pictures. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (had YA appeal, too) and The DaVinci Code (presumably The Lost Symbol has some, too, but I haven't read it). Sure, they weren't "illustrations" as we might like to refer to them, more like diagrams, but they worked.

Libbie · Nov 11, 2009

Cool! I'm intrigued. I hope you're able to pull it off. I'd love to see it!

myrmidon · Nov 11, 2009

This is great news SleepSheep! I'm glad this is working out, I think it will be far more powerful with a comics excerpt rather than having it all written out - so the fact that your agent is on board (and excited) is wonderful.

zpeteman · Nov 11, 2009

I can think of a quite a few non-YA books that feature illustrations. The fact that someone, somewhere decided that illustrations were a no-no for debut authors is further proof of just how broken the cookie-cutter vision of the publishing industry is.

Ehab.Ahmed · Nov 11, 2009

I was thinking of putting some illustrations in my WIP but was hesitant. Maybe now I can actually consider it!
By the way, I'm interested in reading your book. What's it about?

Freelancer · Nov 11, 2009

Ehab.Ahmed said:
I was thinking of putting some illustrations in my WIP but was hesitant. Maybe now I can actually consider it!
By the way, I'm interested in reading your book. What's it about?

I would suggest to do it bravely. I'm also doing the same, regardless what people are think about it. The illustrations are part of the novel and if they must be in it, they'll be in it. Period.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 11, 2009

I hope it works out, but it's always up to the publisher, not the agent or the writer.

MsGneiss · Nov 11, 2009

myrmidon said:
This is great news SleepSheep! I'm glad this is working out, I think it will be far more powerful with a comics excerpt rather than having it all written out - so the fact that your agent is on board (and excited) is wonderful.

Thank you! And, I mean that quite literally in this case, as it was ultimately your idea.

Axler · Nov 11, 2009

Jamesaritchie said:
I hope it works out, but it's always up to the publisher, not the agent or the writer.

Unless the writer is the publisher, too.

I always wanted my novel Cryptozoica to be illustrated...added value and all of that...not to mention, I miss that tradition. It's sadly under-used.

If publishers and/or agents don't agree with me...screw um. I'm not going to boneyard a project that is a labor of love because some strangers have objections.

My artist friend Jeff Slemons agreed with me. And so--

Tepelus · Nov 11, 2009

I've drawn out some illustrations for my WIP a long time ago, so they are kinda dated, but I had thought the same thing to add some with mine, just pencil illustrations, new ones if I get the ambition to do them. Whether they'd get added or not I won't care, I like to have them for me. I'm a pretty good artist, though I haven't drawn anything for a while, I bet if I started drawing again my talent would come back. Just need that thing called ambition.

myrmidon · Nov 11, 2009

sleepsheep said:
Thank you! And, I mean that quite literally in this case, as it was ultimately your idea.

Why thank you! *blushes* I'm glad I could help.

Let me know what happens with this book - I'll be anxious to hear.

Z0Marley · Nov 11, 2009

That's amazing news to hear. I always pictured my book having a picture at each new chapter. I knew it would never happen, but oh, it would be exciting!

Ehab.Ahmed · Nov 11, 2009

But what I would like to know is when is it appropriate for illustrations to be there? I mean, one could go nuts with this whole illustrations stuff and put as many as possible. Would't illustrations limit the readers' imagination?

Freelancer · Nov 11, 2009

Ehab.Ahmed said:
But what I would like to know is when is it appropriate for illustrations to be there? I mean, one could go nuts with this whole illustrations stuff and put as many as possible. Would't illustrations limit the readers' imagination?

It depends. If you describe something and show the same thing on the very same way, that's rather helping the imagination of the reader. i.e. in my WIP one of the illustrations helps the reader to understand something better. As they admitted, the illustration is good regardless how detailed and good the description was. They understood what they read completely, but the illustration helped them to see that thing almost in it's full glory (The CGI animation of it presented it's full glory.

). They saw exactly what the writer, me in this case, imagined it when I written it.

But if you add an illustration without any reason, without any real purpose, in this case yes, it may limit the reader's imagination.

So my advise is: try to find a nice balance between your story and your illustrations.

Ehab.Ahmed · Nov 11, 2009

I'm afraid that's a rather delicate situation. It's kinda relative what's considered a well placed illustration and a bad one. But I guess it's up to the author to determine what's best for him.

Freelancer · Nov 11, 2009

Ehab.Ahmed said:
I'm afraid that's a rather delicate situation. It's kinda relative what's considered a well placed illustration and a bad one. But I guess it's up to the author to determine what's best for him.

Yes, you're right. It's up to you, the author to give a real purpose for the illustration. But if you can't give a real purpose to it, the illustration is just taking the place in the novel. That's why I said: try to find a balance, give a purpose and you'll do fine.

MsGneiss · Nov 11, 2009

Well, in my case, I had one subplot written out as a comic script, panel by panel. I did a poor job of it. But, in the hands of somebody who is familiar with graphic novels, I think that part can really be made into something fun and unique. I don't know. I'm just excited that I actually had the balls to bring it up, and also, that the agent didn't outright laugh in my face. Baby steps, people, baby steps.

P.S. The book is focused on comic book geeks, and the illustrated part is actually a comic story written by one of the characters in the book.

Ehab.Ahmed · Nov 11, 2009

Ok, let's take Fantasy books for example (it's obvious why I chose this particular genre). When do you personally consider adding illustrations in a fantasy book?
When introducing a new world, jungly scenes or new monsters/races?

I think I'm asking because I need to get a handle on this before I start looking for areas that might need an illustration.

Freelancer · Nov 11, 2009

Ehab.Ahmed said:
Ok, let's take Fantasy books for example (it's obvious why I chose this particular genre). When do you personally consider adding illustrations in a fantasy book?

I'm writing a Fantasy and it's a brand new world, using new races, new technologies, new approaches. So I'm adding illustrations to it because I have to, regardless from the descriptions. Also I'm also using an experimental, yet it seems, a working method to present them.

Although in a science fiction what I'm also written this year I also created the main starship and few additional elements to it. Well, my mania is to develop a well detailed world and that's the primary reason why I used to make illustrations, graphic sketches, even battle plan draws if they're necessary. My other reason is that I'm also a graphic artist and I used to merge my professions sometimes.

Also you, the author must feel that you want to add illustrations or not. If you feel you have a reason to add them, do it. But if you can't explain even to yourself what their reasons are, why are they in the novel, forget them. Never add illustrations to make your novel a bit prettier.

Tepelus · Nov 11, 2009

Awww...what's wrong with being prettier?

Freelancer · Nov 11, 2009

Tepelus said:
Awww...what's wrong with being prettier?

It's not serving the evolution of your story. It can be pretty, I love pretty illustrations, but they must have an essence, a reason why an illustration is on Page X and Y. If the publisher can't see that, can't see it has a rightful place in your novel, it's an immediate rejection for the illustrations as it's just raising the cost. And you'll have some nice illustrations that are not going to continue the journey along with your novel.

Tepelus · Nov 11, 2009

I was joking

, but I see your point. I don't plan to add illustrations anyway, I just need to get my novel finished.

There's still hope for those of you who want to include illustrations!

MsGneiss

stormie

storm central

MsGneiss

katiemac

Five by Five

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

myrmidon

i AM batman (not really)

zpeteman

Natural born...

Ehab.Ahmed

Drifting Silently

Freelancer

Jamesaritchie

MsGneiss

Axler

Tepelus

And so...

myrmidon

i AM batman (not really)

Z0Marley

Ehab.Ahmed

Drifting Silently

Freelancer

Ehab.Ahmed

Drifting Silently

Freelancer

MsGneiss

Ehab.Ahmed

Drifting Silently

Freelancer

Tepelus

And so...

Freelancer

Tepelus

And so...