Illustrations in YA

[zeprosnepsid]

I know it's pretty common for children's book to be illustrated, but what about YA? All the ones I read when I was younger didn't have illustrations -- but does that mean they can't.

The thing is this -- I'm also a filmmaker and I often think visually, I like the idea of having illustrations. Also, my boyfriend is a super talented artist so it'd be fun to work on this together.

My novel is fantasy and is targeted 10-12. Would illustrations be silly?

[Christine N.]

Uh, I hope not... my book has eight illustrations inside. And it's a shame it was too expensive to do color inside, because they are brilliant and beautiful... alas, b&w it is. they still look nice though.

My publisher does illustrations for all their books. I've seen them in some adult books, like the Stephen King Dark Tower series... color plates even. Nice.

[JoeEkaitis]

My middle reader novel has six illustrations: one at the beginning of each of the three parts and one inside each part.

It's all up to the publisher, unless your boyfriend has a portfolio of published work he can show the publisher. If the publisher picks its own illustrator, you'll get to enjoy seeing what events the editor and illustrator have chosen to illustrate.

[zeprosnepsid]

Well it's good to know that it's not unusual. I'd just never seen it. My boyfriend has pretty extensive credits as an artist so that'd probably be alright. I just rather like the idea of illustrations =)

[Sage]

You probably can't do one a page like in children's books, but at the very least, you can have a small one at each new chapter (Chapter X: Title & picture over or under it). There are quite a few YA books that have a few full page illustrations. The first ones that come to mind are classics, but I don't see why not for new novels.