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If you aspire to be an illustrator or a children's book author and illustrator, here are the resources I found the most helpful to get me on my way.

See also my experience of writing and illustrating my first book, Hamish, by selecting from My Books on the menu.

Super Tips > Tips for writers and illustrators

Super Tips

FAQs and help for aspiring writers or illustrators
(and bits and pieces for experienced ones too)

 

 

If you'd like to become an illustrator, or a children's book author or illustrator, this page is a treasure sack of everything that I have found most wonderfully helpful. There's also some information for parents or teachers. Most other websites give USA information, so if you're in the UK, this will be especially useful to you.


If you'd like to learn some tips from my experience of writing and illustrating my first picture book, select from My Books on the menu or click here. If you're wondering whether to ask me to illustrate your manuscript, check out the bottom of my page on Ordering illustrations from me.

Note: Although the book pictures link to Amazon.co.uk, do order from your local bookshop!

To help you write, illustrate, and publish children's books

I get quite a few emails from visitors asking me how to get started in children's books, or where/how to submit their manuscript, or whether they need an illustrator before they submit a story. I was at that stage not that long ago and I learned tons from the following books. Don't send anything off before reading some of this information!

  • Writers and Artists Yearbook (for the UK) for addresses and the odd useful article. Get the current year's, or check out previous ones in the library for different articles.

  • Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook (for the UK, with a small international section). I read the 2006 one cover to cover, and I presume other years will be just as good: it's full of of useful articles to answer all your questions on preparing for submission. And lots of publishers' and agents' details.

  • Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market (loads of USA publishers' addresses and specialisations, and many useful articles - the 2002 edition was the first book I ever picked up on the topic and it was a real eye-opener. The 2004 edition has an article on myself, as a first-published author/illustrator! The 2004 edition has taught me more things... I haven't checked the latest edition. For the UK, the Children's Writers etc Yearbook is probably your first choice.

 

  • The Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published, by Rachael Stock. Fantastic. I read this when I already knew quite a lot about this topic, and still found it full of practical, clear information. Rachael Stock is a commissioning editor in the UK. Which publishers to approach? Do you need an agent? What about multiple submissions? What to send? What about the contract? Explains pros and cons and gives examples. Not particularly for children's books but you should still get it.
    And when I bought it from the publishers www.whiteladderpress.com they included a chocolate. So I'll admit it, I've been bribed.

  • It's a bunny eat bunny world, by Olga Litowinsky (it's for the USA and for writers more than illustrators, but still a favourite book to understand the whole business side from start to finish). You can probably learn similar things from my other online sources below, but if you're like me you might prefer to sit down with a book. Click on picture to find this at Amazon

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  • Writing for children, by Linda Strachan, is the book new writers in the UK should start with to get an overview of the process from idea through to writing, submission, publication and publicity.
  • Nicola Morgan's blog "Help, I need a publisher" is exactly what you need if you're a writer: everything about getting published, and it's funny. From there, you'll find more blogs from others, and then more, and more... Nicola also offers individual advice, manuscript appraisals, submission help, and writing tuition, through her consultancy Pen2Publication.
  • 'Preditors and Editors' is a website listing (mostly, but not exclusively) USA publishers and agents and any known scams. Also advice on copyright and submitting your work. If you get approached by a publisher or agent you've never heard of, check them out there.

  • A great website for UK children's writers, illustrators and parents is www.wordpool.co.uk. Interesting articles, book reviews, etc. The articles are, I believe, more for writers than illustrators. There is a concise FAQ page for new children's illustrators, and another FAQ page for new writers, on manuscripts, submissions, do you need to find an illustrator before you submit a manuscript etc. There is also a page of reviews of books telling you about writing and getting published.
  • For information on anything to do with writing in the UK (courses, festivals, events, funding, organisations, advice), the Literature Training site has it all. I recommend signing in to their monthly emails to avoid missing any opportunities.

  • The Purple Crayon is full of advice for chidren's writers and illustrators. Things like 'Complete idiot's guide to publishing', and 'Getting out of the slush pile'.

  • An agent gives children's book writers and illustrators tons of useful advice.

  • Loads of practical and fascinating links for children's writers and illustrators at the British branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Includes FAQ on how to get published and loads more.
  • Children's writer Aaron Shepard gives writing and publishing advice.
  • In the UK, the Arvon writing courses have an excellent reputation, though if you're a very experienced writer, they might not be ind-depth enough for you. But it's sure to be stimulating, fun, and a great holiday. It's hugely dependent on who the tutors are, so do your research.

  • I've found useful articles in Writing World newsletter, for instance the punctuation to use for dialogue.

  • When you're writing or illustrating stories, think of including people with disabilities. If you think that's just about being terribly PC, then read about it on ChildrenInThePicture.org.uk. You'll also find examples of illustrations and stories, and pictures of equipment. These days, I often phone or email them to double-check an idea or picture with them, and they're always most helpful.

  • My experience of getting a children's book published may be useful to you - it's on the 'Hamish - The story behind the story' page of this site.

  • And finally, reach out for another chocolate and watch this short video entitled "Imaginary Writing Process", covering not only writing, but contacts with agents and publishers too.

To help you self-publish, including print-on-demand (POD)

Not something I know much about, but this page from Writer's Digest looks like an excellent starting point.

There's a difference between self-publishing and paying a vanity publisher. (A proper publisher pays you, not the other way round). If you're tempted by an advert, or if you're approached by an outfit telling you you're a genius and they'd love to publish you, read about the good and the bad in http://www.vanitypublishing.info . Check if the publisher is on the listing of 'Preditors and Editors'

To comment on (or edit) your manuscript

You've written a story. Now you need someone to check it for you. To comment on it, edit, help you get it at a standard ready for submitting to publishers. Or to reassure you it already is brilliant. (Ha! Lucky you!)

An agent would do this, but if you're a new writer you need to make your manuscript as good as possible in order to get an agent interested in you in the first place. And of course publishers have editors who will, hopefully, edit your manuscript, but they won't even look at it if it's not pretty good to start with.

So there are two ways: you find competent friends (choose very carefully), or you pay an expert. (Please don't ask me, by the way: I am neither competent nor expert, and I don't even do this for friends.)

.There are writers or agents or ex-editors from publishing houses who offer reading or criticism services. I don't know how good most of them are, so have a good look at what they offer. Here they are, in no particular order:

The Hilary Johnson Authors' Advisory Service

Cornerstones Literary Consultancy

The Literary Consultancy - manuscript assessment and editorial advice

Pen2Publication, Nicola Morgan's consultancy: individual advice, manuscript appraisals, submission help, and writing tuition. I know Nicola and admire her generosity to writers, vast knowledge of the writing business (she was an energetic Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland), and clear thinking. This is the same Nicola Morgan who writes the witty and informative blog: "Help, I need a publisher!"

Fiona Bannatyne, writer:

The Writers' Workshop

Adventures in Fiction: Mentoring and manuscript appraisal

Simon Rose, writer

and for anyone in Scotland, a free Critical Reading Service from Highlands and Islands Arts

If you're looking for a literary agent to represent you, agent Julia Churchill gives advice on how to go about it here.

Writing books I've found useful

There are hundreds of books out there with advice on how to write. I've learned a lot from some of the ones I've read, and I find they also motivate me to drop everything and write. I also find it useful to browse through some of them when I've finished drafting a story: it stimulates ideas for detail and improvements. And when they don't tell you anything new, at least it's reassuring. So I'll share with you those books I've found useful, in case you haven't yet explored this vast field. At this stage, I'll just add books one at a time as I remind myself of them. Come back for more!

"Dynamic characters" by Nancy Kress is packed full of advice, not just on imagining full, interesting characters, but on making them come alive in their dialogue, thoughts, in the plot, and the use made of the point of view. I have other writing books on "characters" but this one is by far the more rich.
"Conflict, Action & Suspense" by William Noble. It took me a while to get into this, but by the middle of the book I was underlining things on every page.It gives you the nuts and bolts of what makes readers avid to keep turning the page. I particularly liked the points on how to pace a story, build up the tension, and ways of ending it.

"Deep Writing" by Eric Maisel. Liberating, unblocking, stimulating. Half-way through reading it I'd worked out massive changes to one of my stories. Eric Maisel trains creativity coaches, one of whom I used and can heartily recommend. This is Marion Barnett, who has helped me leap to the places I wanted to get to. It can be done by or by phone.

I find some writing books a little too pious for my taste. This one, on the other hand, is full of spirit and subversiveness, while stimulating you to write and enjoy it: "Bird by bird - Some instructions on writing and life" by Anne Lamott.

To help you draw and publish cartoons

  • "Your career in the comics" by Lee Nordling is full of business information from dozens of big American cartoonists, syndicates and newspapers. It also gives you an insight into the lives and loves of these cartoonists.

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  • More specifically on syndication and self syndication, including a lawyer's detailed comments on contracts: "Successful Syndication: A Guide for Writers and Cartoonists" by Michael Sedge.
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  • For kids and adults. There are so many "How to draw cartoon" books! Drawing on the funny side of the brain by Christopher Hart is probably the best I've seen, as it covers every aspect of cartooning. So not just drawing characters (people, animals, eyes, hands, attitude), but also writing jokes (pacing, number of panels, punch lines, choice of words), layout and design (angle shots, speech bubles), and a little about the way to go professional.

To help you with fees and contracts

 

In the UK, the Association of Ilustrators' hotline helps members with fees. Members can also consult their online pricing guide and various guides, and download a sample commissioning form to use with clients. I believe non-members can buy some of these guides too. I highly value my membership.

The equivalent for writers (still in the UK) is the Society of Authors. You'll find a wealth of guides on the website.

For the USA - but I'm told it's useful here too - the main reference for fees and contracts is Graphic Artists Guild handbook: pricing and ethical guidelines. You can buy it straight from the Graphics Artists Guild in the USA, or in the UK: click here to see it on amazon.co.uk)

Lawyer Ivan Hoffman has really helpful and comprehensive advice on copyright, contracts and zillions of related legal topics. I like the way it seems quite balanced, since it is for both writers/illustrators and for publishers. There's specific info on contracts for children's publishing.

My own page on Terms and Conditions gives you a quick overview about copyright etc, if you're new to this.

If you're an illustrator and have had any work published in books, magazines. TV etc, however long again, you're entitled to an annual payment in the UK (included photocopying rights). Visit DACS payback for info and to make a claim. Register with them too for Artists Resale Rights (you get money every time your paintings get re-sold by someone).

If you've got your name on the title page of a book, in the UK you're also entitled to an annual payment for Public Lending Right (i.e. libraries). Visit PLR for info and to make a claim.

If you're wondering about getting an agent for your illustration work, take a look at Janee Trasler's very useful advice.

To give you business or friendly support

For UK illustrators, the Association of Illustrators is fantastic. Services I treasure include checking over your contracts, and advising you how much to charge. Well worth the subscription fee. Anyone can also look up the discussion board, a directory of UK illustrators, and image directory of thousands of illustrations.

If you live in Scotland, you MUST contact Scottish Enterprise's Business Gateway. Sorry, it's not a legal duty, what I mean is, it's not to be missed! Other regions or countries are bound to have similar public bodies to help businesses, but this website has loads of advice that will apply anywhere. There are grants, loans, advisers, training, mentors and so on, all for free. They might even help you with your website. If you are a shy and modest illustrator (isn't everybody?), they are a must. If you're female you get extra care via www.scottishbusinesswomen.com. What more could you ask for?

If you live in Scotland, you MUST contact Scottish Enterprise's Business Gateway. Sorry, it's not a legal duty, what I mean is, it's not to be missed! Other regions or countries are bound to have similar public bodies to help businesses, but this website has loads of advice that will apply anywhere. There are grants, loans, advisers, training, mentors and so on, all for free. They might even help you with your website. If you are a shy and modest illustrator (isn't everybody?), they are a must. If you're female you get extra care via www.scottishbusinesswomen.com. What more could you ask for?

Writers, illustrators and artists in Scotland have another free information resource: the Cultural Enterprise Office. They offer seminars, training and networking events. You can book an advice session to focus on your business needs. At the very least, get onto their mailing list. To understand tax, VAT in the UK, the Small Business Service and the Department for Trade and Industry have a website to help you start, improve or grow your business.To understand UK tax you could read info on "Taxaid".

Finally you might get some motivation or business skills from this online library. As a practicing illustrator, you could join an extremely friendly newsgroup, IllustratorsUK. Chat ranges from "I've been offered £1/hour to illustrating a book - is that good?" to "Why doesn't my website work?" to "How long do I have to watch oil paint dry?" Most - but not all - members are from the UK.

As a writer the UK has the Wordpool group for friendly, supportive chat. More USA oriented and less active is the children's writers group, also on Yahoo.

Children's authors and illustrators in Scotland, do get in touch with Scottish Book Trust. They run courses, mentoring, and schemes for author visits. I worship them.

And if you'd like individual support (if you're blocked, or want to enjoy your writing or your art more), I can recommend Creativity Coach Marion Barnett, who trained with Eric Maisel, and has helped me leap to the places I wanted to get to. It can be done by or by phone.
Marion Barnett has written a book you can order direct from her or from Amazon: "Finding your creative focus". If you're a writer or artist who is dithering, holding back, blocked, it will boil down to the lack of (or excess of) ideas, materials, techniques, space, time or support, and this book will help you identify the thing that will get you going again.

Marion Barnett - finding your creative focus

 

 

 


Links to other illustrators or authors

Scottish Illustrators: scottishillustrators.com

Directory of UK children's book authors, illustrators and publishers: www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk

To help you with author visits or illustrator sessions in schools

In Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust will be your main source of author sessions in libraries, schools etc.

In the UK in general, I've heard good things from ContactAnAuthor. It's a place to advertise your availability.

You'll also get help and info about recommended fees from the Society of Authors.

Sites that display an artist's porfolio and/or link to their website

The UK's Association of Illustrators can, for a fee, give you your own website via their site.

The i-spot has a good reputation, though I've not yet decided to pay to join it...

There are loads more. In general if you don't pay to go up to the top of these lists, you'll never come up in their searches.

Books in the UK: resources for parents, teachers and librarians

The Scottish Book Trust is the place for information about children's books and authors in Scotland, grants for events, and anything to promote reading.

The previously mentioned UK www.wordpool.co.uk. Interesting articles, book reviews, etc.

Doodle Books are becoming quite common and are great alternatives to those creativity-draining, soul-sapping colouring-in books children are given. Children are invited to draw things from their imagination. While The Doodle book has the most attractive cover, I think the Anti-Colouring book is the better one inside. I like the drawings in the books to be quite rough, so that the child feels free to draw their own way. The principles are similar to those in "Drawing for the artistically challenged", featured below.

Drawing for the artistically challenged by Quentin Blake and John Cassidy, is full of ideas to stimulate young and old and get you relaxed about drawing - you're supposed to draw straight onto the lovely paper, but I can't bring myself to do that.

 

How to be a brilliant writer, by Jenny Alexander. On the whole I'd be wary of telling kids how to write (or draw)- plenty time to get hangups about it in later life. Let them enjoy themselves, write to their heart's content, and never mind if their "point of view" keeps changing. But Jenny Alexander is very much into creativity and playing with ideas, and doesn't believe in perfectionism or being seen as "brilliant", so this one's a safe bet. I use it for myself as well.
Help with websites, search engines, FTP and so on
  • I believe nowadays there are plenty sites to help you build your own website easily. I've heard good stuff (but it's just hearsay, mind) of www.MrSite.com . A common bit of advice, if building a website seems to hard, is to have a blog.
  • If you're an illustrator in the UK, the Association of Illustrators can provide you with your own online portfolio and domain name for an annual fee.
  • My web hoster is Fasthosts.co.uk and it works well for me. I used to be with a USA web hoster, who would send emails full of jargon to tell you they were changing this or that - and I'd find myself without email facilities while I struggled to understand what I was supposed to do. Fasthosts is a lot cheaper, yet has a totally pleasant and efficient phone helpline at normal phone rates. Another one that's been recommended to me for the UK is supanames.co.uk .
  • The menu at the top of each page of this website is made with a java applet called 'Livewire' from Coolfocus. Even for someone who thinks java is something to do with coffee, it's not hard to use, and Coolfocus have been very prompt in responding to a query I had when something didn't work. But I'm going to get rid of it because too many people don't have the Java applet, so they can't see the menu.
  • If you need to send someone a huge file, email is not the answer.I love www.yousendit.com (the free service will let you upload one file at a time from your computer to a secure webpage of theirs, where it will stay for 7 days. An email goes out to you and your customer with a link to its location). I've also used Yahoo Briefcase: this gives me space to upload several files at at time, and they don't disappear after a week. I copy the URL (www.whatever...) and send it to my customer, where they can see or download the file.
  • I f you're a bit braver, the free program CoreFTP is easier to use than others I've tried, and will allow you to upload files so that others can download them. Publishers tend to have FTP sites (on which illustrators they're working with can load their work): ask your publisher for details. Or if you have a website, you can make a page there for customers to download from.

 

To help you to back up your files

  • Back your files up, in case your computer lets you down, or even if you just want access to an earlier version of your work. Among the variety of methods I've used, the best I've found is GenieSoft's Genie Backup Manager Home Edition. You set it to backup selected files at selected intervals to a place of your choice (an external hard disk, CDs, the internet). It doesn't need to back everything up every time (which is time-consuming): you can set it to do "incremental" backups, i.e. to only backup files changed or created since the last backup.

    Because I can't bear the idea of losing any of the writing or illustrating I'm presently working on, I've set GenieSoft to backup specific folders every 2 hours onto an external hard disk (Western Digital MyBook) which is plugged in at all times. These backups happens without me noticing. Sometimes I hate a change I've made to my work, and I can go to the hard disk and retrieve an earlier version from there.

    Then every two weeks I plug in another hard disk and backup all my files, including Outlook and Favorites stuff. I keep that hard disk somewhere VERY safe. If your files aren't huge, I'd recommend using the online service: that sounds like the safest system to me.

    I believe you can use your Flickr or Googlemail space, if you have some, or one I've used: BT Digital Vault.

 

For the USA

It's hard to beat Phyllis Cahill's massive and well organised list of links about everything to do with writing/illustrating. Go there if you're in the USA!

Was that useful?

All sounds easy now, doesn't it? If this page of advice changes your life, tell me of your successes, buy my books, write a comment on my Amazon book pages. Good luck to you all.

 

 

Any comments? Any links that have disappeared? Do contact me!

Some people who found this page useful have asked me if they could link this page (or other useful pages) to their website. Of course, be my guest.

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