Now and again I hear from aspiring children’s book illustrators who ask if I might introduce them to authors in search of an artists to illustrate a picture book. In most cases, this question lets me know that I’ve just met an illustrator in need of advice. Here’s the thing: for the most part, authors don’t have any say in who gets to illustrate their work. That pleasure belongs to editors. As a result, I have almost no first-hand knowledge about how a person might break into the art part of publishing. Of course, my own ignorance rarely stops me from offering advice so… here are a few thoughts and notes that I’ve gathered from spying on people who seem to know what they’re talking about when it comes to advice for aspiring children’s book illustrators:

Create an online portfolio so that editors, art-directors and others can browse through your work at their convenience.

Network network network. Nobody will visit your online portfolio if they don’t know it’s there.

Join the SCBWI. It’s an excellent organization (I’m a member) that provides awesome opportunities to learn how to succeed at this work. SCBWI meetings and conferences also offer the chance to meet working illustrators, writers, editors, agents and other folks in the publishing world. My local chapter is hosting a “Making Picture Book Conference” in Philadelphia this May.

Be professional. Don’t miss deadlines. You don’t have to wear a business suit for this work, but you need to act and dress and “be” in a way that will inspire confidence in your ability to get the work done.

Be willing to revise. And revise. And revise. And revise…

Know what you like. Folks in the children’s book world are unbelievably committed to making great books for kids. In fact, they LOVE great books for kids. They want to work with people who feel the same way. So when an editor asks who and what you like, what she means is: What children’s books are your favorites? Who are the illustrators and writers that inspire you? I’m guessing that an aspiring illustrator who is in love with Chris Raschka, William Joyce, Kadir Nelson, Peter Sis and/or Shaun Tan will be more interesting than the person who only knows Picasso, Michelangelo, Diane Arbus, and Karel Appel. (Personal note: I think a picture book about Karel Appel would be kind of awesome. His work makes me think of Chris Raschka.)

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be really good at what you do. Have skills. Grow your talent. Be working all the time so that you’re getting better. If your work isn’t important to you it’s not going to be important to anybody else.

The circus world of people who make books for children is really not that big. The tent is open if you can pull back the flap. Good luck!