WHAT!! NO ILLUSTRATIONS!!

[jsc]

:Headbang: :Headbang: ok so Im a little upset with most of the info about authors and illustrators. to be more specific-
authors have nothing to do with the illustrations unless they are an art pro.
I've even read that most dont even meet the illustrator till after book is published.

I am not a pro artist
I also know that -hey if the publishers footing the bill to make your book successful, they choose or assign the illustrator

so far both these points are ok with me.
1-while I may be creative, having amateur illustrations will not help my book be successful.
2-it only makes sense they get power to choose what will be most profitable

whats upsetting is that I'm not seeing anywhere that an author can share the few thoughts or visions for the book if they have any. Its ok if some authors would prefer to just write but when I was writing my picture book I saw pictures(not dead people-hee hee). I would at the very least like the oppotunity to communicate what I saw. It pains me to think that I'll just have to suck it up.

My childrens pic book is about a boy and his dog of a specific breed. I want the illustrations to capture the personality of that breed. the images I see
do that- I should know.....I have this dog.

can anyone tell me even a little good news?:confused:

[PattiTheWicked]

I've got a children's book coming out next year with Moo Press, entitled "The Pirate Alphabet." Moo is part of Keene Publishing, which is the same company putting out Jenna's "Hattie Get A Haircut" this fall. The folks at Keene have been very adamant about keeping me involved in the illustrator selection process, and the publisher (the actual person) asked me to scour my favorite children's books and send her a list of artists I'd want her to check out. This gave her not only an idea of prospective illustrators, but also the style of art that I as the author feel is right for my book.

She emails me weekly to let me know the progress, and once we narrowed it down to four artists, she thinks we should have one lined up by the end of the month. So, while I don't have any specific input about illustrations, I was encouraged to let them know what my vision for the artwork in this book would be.

I'd say, if you get offered a contract for a manuscript, before you sign it ask the publisher just how much author involvement they like to see in the illustrator selection process. Some companies don't want you involved in any way, shape or form. You have to figure out what level you're comfortable with.

[Tish Davidson]

The time to worry about this is when you have a publisher. Most publishers are perfectly willing to hear your ideas (although for marketing reasons they may disagree with you) and keep you in the loop. I think you're screaming about something you will find is not much of a problem when you actually have a contract. What publishers do not want is for the author to send a lot of illustrations and to be dictatorial and high handed about illustrations.

[jsc]

:Cheers: PATTI! THANKYOU SOOOOO MUCH! I just wasn't seeing anywhere that author input was acceptable. Your post means alot and I needed it. Hey love your site and CSI too. The witers foresics site was awesome as well. Thanks again.

thankyou TD for your input as well. I know that getting a publisher first should be my first concern but for me I needed to know that at least the possibility of having my views considered was in existance. I do have confidence in the things I see in my minds eye. Lets hope some publishers do.

thanks JC:D

[watcher]

Thanks for the info.

And congratulations on your book Patti!