Getting Started- finding an illustrator

The first thing you need to do in order to self publish (other than coming up with your idea or story line) is to find an illustrator.  If you are a talented illustrator than you can do it on your own.  However, even though I like art and I am not a bad artist actually- I think it was a good idea to ask Suzy if she could illustrate the book.  I wanted to get an unexpected feel and also someone else’s perspective on the ideal children’s book.  She was delighted when I asked her if she would be interested in drawing the pictures for a children’s book that I was putting together.

And, boy wait until you see her illustrations.  They are quite magical.  She has her own unique style of lollipop trees and a very Monet type of feel to it.  I only knew that she was an artist by trade and really wasn’t working on anything because she was busy raising her two gorgeous boys.  But, now that the little one goes to nursery a few hours a week she was able to consider this offer.

If you do not know of any one who could illustrate your book for you there are loads of companies out there that can help.  However, if you are trying to produce a book on a budget why don’t you try asking someone studying art at a university or researching local illustrators that have worked on succesful books in the past.  Another inexpensive alternative is a print shop.  Often they have illustrators that on flyers and menus.  They are really good and probably wouldn’t charge much.  After all you don’t know until you ask.  Get a couple of print quotes while you are at it.  You might as well kill two birds with one stone!