Childrens Picture Book

[AmandaJane82a]

I am in the planning stage with a series of books for young children. At present I have a few stories but am mostly planning the characters and their backgrounds etc. The big sticking point for me is finding an illustrator as I plan to self publish (I think). Anyone else on a similar journey want to compare notes, share the highs and lows etc?

If I were you I'd get the writing finished first. I'm not sure how it works with self publishing but with traditional publishers they usually sort that out for you.

Why not try the traditional route? You've nothing to lose by emailing your submission to an agent!

Planning to finish the writing before I look for an illustrator but just wondered if anyone was at a similar point etc. I know publishers match you with illustrators but with self publishing it's definitely find you own.

Weighing up the pros and cons, self publishing seems more suited to my needs.

Best of luck whatever path you take. There are some very knowledgeable people on here who know a lot about self publishing so I'm sure they will know the answers. Hopefully this "bumps" it for you!

am mostly planning the characters and their backgrounds etc - Wow. I just sat down and wrote 24 pages of silly nonsense!

I'm doing the agent thing, then if that doesn't get results, direct to publishers. If I'm still out of luck I'll think about self publishing.

A not very close friend teamed up with an illustrator she knew and got a book self published. They crowd-funded to get the project going, but it was for a 'cause' so people were more willing to back it than they would have been for 'just a book'.

Of the 2 illustrators I chatted with on another forum, one would want payment, but the other was willing to work on spec for something that appealed to them.

Good luck.

Tiggy, I've read your stuff from a previous link you posted and you're very talented. Keep going! If you get an agent, the publisher will often take care of the illustration side.

I have drafted some stories but as I am planning a series I need to know about the characters as they are off on a big adventure, so want to get my facts straight and get to 'know' the characters. There is an educational element to the books, along with the fun adventures!

Sounds like you're on the right track AmandaJane.