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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Illustrations for a children’s book to be republished?

Asked by: Dilaho Monteith

How can I get illustrations for my children’s book?

Where To Find Children’s Book illustrators

  1. Instagram (try hashtags like #illustrator or #illustratorwanted or #kidlitartist to start)
  2. Facebook (Join groups like Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators or just search “illustrator”)
  3. Fiverr.
  4. Upwork.
  5. GetYourBookIllustrations.com.
  6. 1000Storybooks.com.


What makes a good children’s book illustration?

Apart from the story line, small details in the illustrations are engaging and interesting for the little readers. So, in short, good character design, lively expressions, small details and ability to explain the story are 4 major qualities of a good children’s book illustration.

How much should I pay a children’s book illustrator?

For a new illustrator just starting out you will probably get paid anywhere from: $5,000-12,000 for your first children’s book. If you agree to do something for a price then most likely your bottom line is lower than that rate.

What size should illustrations be for children’s books?

7.25″ × 9.25″ (portrait, same size as Book Design Made Simple) 8″ × 8″ (square) 8″ × 10″ (portrait)

How much does it cost to hire an illustrator?

Hourly rates for illustrators range from $25 to $100, and can be higher depending on the area of specialty and artist reputation. Nationwide, the average costs for an illustration project can range from $90 to $465, but larger projects will command higher rates, and every project is different.

Do I need to find an illustrator for my children’s book?

Almost always: no. The editor who purchases your picture book manuscript or the art director at that publishing house will ultimately choose the illustrator. Except in rare circumstances, it is seldom a good idea for authors and illustrators to collaborate together before publication.

How do you start an illustration?

How to Kick Start Your Career as an Illustrator

  1. Think about what kind of work you’d like to do. Most people I know start off in editorial illustration. …
  2. Get drawing. …
  3. Create a portfolio website. …
  4. Set your business up. …
  5. Share your work on social media. …
  6. Start hustling. …
  7. Make friends with other illustrators. …
  8. Get organised.

What are the types of illustrations?

What are the Different Styles of Illustration?

  • Block illustration.
  • Charcoal illustration.
  • Ink illustration.
  • Woodcut illustration.
  • Watercolor illustration.
  • Advertising Illustration.
  • Scientific illustration.
  • Pencil Illustration.

Do illustrators get royalties?

If you’re the author or author/illustrator, you’ll get the full royalty rate. This is typically 10% but could be lower or higher depending on the publisher and negotiations. There may even be a step clause in the contract where the royalty amount gets higher when you hit certain benchmarks.

What is the most popular size for a children’s book?

8.5” x 8.5”



For example, the common children’s book sizes are 8.5” x 8.5” or 7” x 10.” Conversely, the book dimensions for a novella would typically be 5” x 8.” Venture too far out from these standard book sizes and your self-published book might seem out of sync with its genre.

What medium do most children’s book illustrators use?

Most children’s book illustrators have a recognizable visual style and point of view. Children’s book illustrations come in various artistic styles, including watercolor, acrylic, and pen and ink.

How do you layout a children’s picture book?

Know the age group of your young audience and target the cover design to them. Design the book title in an interesting way and make sure it stands out. Ensure that your front cover image gives readers a preview of the story inside, and creates curiosity. Choose colors and typefaces that match the mood of the story.

How much does it cost to illustrate a children’s book?

Bestselling author Joanna Penn estimates that the average pay for a 32-page picture book is $3,000 – $12,000, meaning a 32 page book with 20 illustrations equates anywhere from $150 to $600 per illustration. Publishing expert Anthony Puttee estimates a slightly lower standard rate of about $120 per illustration.

How many pages should a children’s picture book be?

32 pages



Story-based or fiction picture books are usually 32 pages long and vary between 500 to 1000 words. They are designed for pre-schoolers and children in the first few years of primary school, and are usually intended to be read aloud as a shared experience between an adult and child.

What is the format for a children’s book?

You should consider publishing your children’s book in both ebook format and paperback format. Paperback is still the most popular format for children’s books.

How should a children’s book manuscript look?


Use at least 1 inch margins on each side and justify the left margin only put your name and title of the book at the top of each page and number the pages consecutively.

Do children’s books make money?

Children’s authors who choose the traditional route can expect an advance of between $1,000 and $10,000 for their book, plus royalties for every copy that sells. Royalties vary between publishers, but you can expect somewhere around 5 to 7 cents on the dollar for printed books and up to 25 cents on e-book sales.