I receive many emails from those of you who would love to start writing a children's book or have written a children's story and want to know what's next--how do they proceed from having a story, to having a story with illustrations. I have decided to start answering those questions on a weekly blog segment and posting articles by my co-founder of the Read3Zero Foundation, Bobby Ozuna, on topics pertaining to publishing, writing and marketing in the book industry. I am calling this segment: You Ask, We Answer.
PLEASE feel free to post your questions here and we would LOVE to answer them on the weekly discussion!
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This week's topic stems from many aspiring children's writers who are trying to decide whether to go the traditional publishing route or the publish their works independently. Your answer to this question will greatly determine how you use (or what or whom is used to create) illustrations in your book. You need to consider your personality style when making this determination. Do you want less control over your project, focusing on writing and marketing only, or do you want total control of the book publishing process?
Where should I find an illustrator before I send my children's book manuscript to a publisher?
Melissa M. Williams
Author/Public Speaker
Co-Founder, READ3Zero
Literacy~Creativity~Learning
ANSWER: If you are planning on sending your work to a publishing house, unless you yourself are the illustrator of your work, you are NOT allowed to choose your illustrator. The idea of submitting a story, with illustrations to a major trade publisher is a big misconception. The publisher will use their own illustrators for your book project. You will probably not be able to decide on most of the look of your book either, from design, to cover, to interior, to font layout, etc. This is perfect for those of us who solely focus on writing, but if you want more control, you may need to start your own publishing company or work with a small personal publisher. More control also means more work and more money you must provide on your own. Being the publisher means being sole controller of every aspect of the book's publishing process but it also means you will need some available cash to start and finish the project entirely. This is why the decision all depends on your needs and your vision for the project.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit like myself, you will love turning your dream into a full fledged career. Eventually your publishing company may take on others and you will then understand why publishers want their creative team to take complete control over the project. For my own chapter book series, Iggy the Iguana, I delegate tasks to over a team of 15 people. We must all work together and have a common goal. You brand yourself when you develop a product, so everyone must know exactly what the publisher (who may happen to be an author as well) stands for! Read my article call called Find Your Niche-Creating Success in the Book Industry for more ideas.
*Remember if you decide to go the independent publishing route, don't forget to do your homework and make sure your book still falls under industry standards. If you don't do your publishing homework, you will not be able to get your book into bookstores like, Barnes and Noble or distributed by major Distribution Channels. Check out Dan Poynter's Book, The Self-Publishing Manual for all of the rules in the publishing industry.*
Melissa M. Williams
Author/Public Speaker
Co-Founder, READ3Zero
Literacy~Creativity~Learning
