Writing your story – with pictures

Many people ask me advice on writing a comic, children’s book or novel and how to get it published. I’ll talk about my writing process later, but after your manuscript is done, there are several things you need to do. First, it is a good idea to hire an editor or, if it is a screenplay, a ’script doctor’…someone who is NOT a friend or family member (unless that is their industry) to read and objectively edit your manuscript. 

Another thing I point people to are resources like Writer’s Digest or Writer’s Market (year). They put out a catalogue of places where you can submit and submission guidelines. Without following these guidelines, you run the risk of an editor refusing or even ignoring your work.

One thing I’ll say in this blog is NOT to tell an illustrator this: ‘I have an idea for a children’s book…maybe you could illustrate it’. It’s great that you want to work with an illustrator on your book, but if the book is something you keep thinking of only when you go to Barnes And Noble for a coffee, or only when you see the illustrator walking around somewhere, just finish the manuscript, get the money together (no, we do not work for free…most of us are not animals and know what the publisher you are submitting to wants from you first. The last thing you want to do is submit 32 pages of illustration at hundreds of dollars to a publisher who only uses their in-house or contract illustrator, or who may want to go in another artistic direction. If you have and illustrator you want to use, and you are submitting to a publishing house, have them do three illustrations to give the editor an idea of how you would like to see your book illustrated. But be prepared for them not to want to use your illustrator. It’s a chance you take.

Another thing you should do is research pricing for illustration. Many people are surprised when they are quoted a price for an illustrator’s hard work, and it is a bit more than the $5 stock art you’re downloading from a web site. This art will be representing your story, and will be the only art of its kind, not to be used again, depending on the contract to which you agree. Some illustrators will work with you on price, as they love what they do, but know that it will be an investment, just like hiring a photographer or graphic designer.

The most important thing to remember is to just DO IT! If you have a story on your heart, just write it. Don’t even plan for anyone to see it. That’s how you will write truly using your own passion and not editing yourself according to what you think people want to hear. Sure, you have to consider your market, but by just putting something down on paper, you will be that much closer to accomplishing that dream that you’ve only talked about but are making real!

Tags: Add new tag, illustration, publishing, writing