November 2003
Do You Have Any Information About Getting Into Illustrating?
I am a commercial artist and I would like to illustrate children's books. But I have heard that the pay is not very good. Do you have any information about getting into illustrating?
Illustrators and authors usually share the royalties for picture books. The standard royalty rate for children's book illustrators is 5%, which represents a 50-50 split with the author on 10% royalties. However the royalty rate can vary from 3-10%, which means the illustrator's share can range from 1.5-5%. The illustrator's contract is negotiated separately from the author's contract.
Some publishers also pay an advance against royalties, in which case the royalty is usually lower, around 3-5%. Advances vary from $1,500-$4,000, depending on the publisher and the project. For example, whether an artist illustrates the jacket and the interior of the book.Ê
Other publishers pay a flat fee to illustrators, which can be somewhere in the range of $1,000-$3,000.
Payment for children's magazine artwork varies widely depending on the publication, its circulation, and the type of piece being submitted. It is always a flat fee and can range between $25 and $200.
You'll find the best information about illustrating children's books by joining the Society for Children's Book Writers (SCBWI). Once you join, go to the Publications page for members only and download the Guide for Illustrators & Photo-Illustrators for a complete list of guidelines for illustrating children's books.
Can You Recommend Any Arts And Crafts Books For Pre-Schoolers?
I hope you can help me! I'm looking for arts and crafts books for pre-schoolers. I read your column regularly and you know a lot about children's books, so I'm hoping you can recommend some to me.
You're in luck! I have a 2-year old granddaughter and it just so happens I'm familiar with quite a few arts and crafts books for the pre-school set.
Get Smart Through Art by Heide Kaminski, is a brand new book full of creative play activities that incorporate learning skills. I like this book because the author shows you how to use common household items to make simple artwork. For that reason the projects are spontaneous. You can pick up the book and do a project without a lot of preparation. The accompanying illustrations can be copied or used right out of the book. Each project suggests easy art activities for beginners with tiny fingers ö perfect for toddlers. In the process, children learn letters, shapes, colors, and develop fine motor skills.
The Little Hands Art Book and The Little Hands Big Fun Craft Book by Judy Press, are both excellent books. However many of the projects require the use of scissors and glue. Also, some advance preparation and the purchase of special materials is required. I would recommend these books for 4-6 year olds.
How Should I Send My Portfolio to Publishers?
I have a portfolio of illustrations I would like to send to several children's book publishers. However I just found out that it's going to be expensive to make copies. Should I send photocopies instead? What is the best way to submit my artwork?
In the Book Publishers section of the Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market you'll find guidelines for illustrators in the publishers' listings. Some publishers will look at photocopies, dummies, or samples. The guidelines are different for each publisher. Although in most cases you should submit your artwork to the Art Director, who is usually listed in the first paragraph.
To save time and money, consider scanning, or digitally photographing, the artwork in your portfolio. Make a file of those images on your computer and transfer the file to a CD. Then submit the CD with a cover letter. However do not submit the file as an attachment by email. Publishers are still not email friendly, especially when it comes to attachments. If the publisher lists an email address, you can send an email to ask if you can mail them a CD of your artwork.
You can also create a web site to display your work. That way you can send a cover letter, including the URL to your web site, along with the CD or photocopies of your work.
For more information:
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SCBWI - http://www.scbwi.org
Peggy Tibbetts has been a professional writer, editor, and full member of the Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators for the past 26 years. She offers courses in children's writing and has edited several successful children's manuscripts. She is the author of the children's novel The Road to Weird, as well as the adult novel Rumors of War. Peggy also moderates the The Write List discussion list at Yahoo.
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