Risa Peris's Blog - Posts Tagged "illustrations"
So You Wrote a Children's Book...
I have a children's book launching on September 1, 2013 called, When You Are Spooked. It is a series and will be offered exclusively as an eBook. The story had been percolating in my head for several years and during that time I had jotted down ideas, developed the characters, and wrote a page here and there but never completed it. Part of what held me back was that I wanted the book illustrated. I am not an artist and I didn't know any artists. I scoured the internet for a few but they charged hefty amounts and wanted upfront payment rather than a portion of the royalties. They weren't about to gamble on a new writer.
I eventually did find an illustrator but through a website that is an indie authors dream. It's called Fivver (www.fiverr.com). The website has thousands of people with various talents who are willing to do things for $5. There are lots of illustrators and graphic designers on the site. I found one whose sample art immediately stood out to me. I liked her style. For $5 I got her to illustrate the eBook cover for When You Are Spooked. She did such a great job that I immediately bought several illustrations. I've invested about $60 in artwork for the book and have developed a relationship with the artist. She will be illustrating the rest of the series. I've gotten some good responses about the artwork. The key is to be very specific as to what you want. Don't say "surprise me". You are bound to get disappointed.
The bottom line is that if you have written a story for children, getting it illustrated doesn't have to set you back hundreds or thousands.
I eventually did find an illustrator but through a website that is an indie authors dream. It's called Fivver (www.fiverr.com). The website has thousands of people with various talents who are willing to do things for $5. There are lots of illustrators and graphic designers on the site. I found one whose sample art immediately stood out to me. I liked her style. For $5 I got her to illustrate the eBook cover for When You Are Spooked. She did such a great job that I immediately bought several illustrations. I've invested about $60 in artwork for the book and have developed a relationship with the artist. She will be illustrating the rest of the series. I've gotten some good responses about the artwork. The key is to be very specific as to what you want. Don't say "surprise me". You are bound to get disappointed.
The bottom line is that if you have written a story for children, getting it illustrated doesn't have to set you back hundreds or thousands.
