If you’re shopping for a new car…you go to the local car dealership. 🚗
Need a coffee? Look for a Starbucks! ☕
In the market for a ridiculous amount of toilet paper? Costco it is! 🧻
Most of the time, it’s easy to figure out where to go to buy the goods or services we need.
But where do you shop for freelance illustrators for your self-published children’s book?
🚨CAUTION🚨
If you plan to submit your story to traditional publishers, you DON’T hire an illustrator! More about that here.
Choosing the perfect freelance illustrator for your book is one of the hardest parts of the self-publishing process. It’s hard to know who you can trust…and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with options!
The Best Places To Look For Freelance Illustrators
In this post we’ll talk about the best places to start your search for a freelance illustrator and provide some tips on how to choose one.
You don’t have to be a member of SCBWI to browse the Illustrator Gallery. (But you really should join anyway!) This database contains over 25,000 sample illustrations from thousands of member illustrators. You can search for a specific illustrator by name, or filter by region, medium, art style, and type of book. They even have a filter that lets you hone in on artists who are willing to work with self-publishers.
Because the illustrators listed are all members of SCBWI, you can be sure they take their craft seriously and love the world of children’s books just as much as you do!
2. Social Media
Just like authors, illustrators use social media to build up their own platform and fan base, so it makes sense to search for them there.
Instagram is popular because of its focus on images. Do a quick search for “illustrator” or “illustrations” and see what you find.
Facebook groups for children’s book writers are chock full of talented freelance illustrators - but also plenty of con artists and scammers selling clip art and AI. So, don’t make a general post asking for illustrators. Instead, lurk in the shadows and watch. You’ll see plenty of artists posting sample pieces, as well as fellow authors posting about their books. If you see an illustrator with a style you like, research the illustrator yourself or send them a private message.
Believe it or not, Twitter/X is also a great place to search for illustrators! Search for the hashtag #kidlitartpostcard. This monthly event sprung from the old tradition of artists mailing postcards featuring their work to traditional publishing houses and agencies in the hopes of getting their attention and interest. The tradition died during Covid when most publishing execs were no longer in the office to receive those postcards. But the Twitter version is even more fun!
3. Online Freelance Marketplaces: Reedsy, Upwork, Behance, Fiverr
Be warned…these websites are a little bit like the wild west, with prices varying wildly and freelancers from all over the world. But, they’re the closest thing to a one-stop shop for all your freelance hiring needs. On these marketplaces you can find and hire editors, graphic designers, ghost writers, and yes… illustrators!
Like Facebook groups, there are lots of unsavory scammers preying on newbie authors. (Though some platforms - like Reedsy - have rigorous vetting processes for their freelancers, so you can be a bit more confident that you’re working with a pro.)
However, there are also lots of talented professionals, and the benefit of using one of these freelance platforms is that the platform itself usually handles payment and can help resolve any disputes.
4. Art Agencies
If you really want to ensure you’re hiring the best of the best, start your search with a professional art agency. Just like authors query agents to represent their manuscripts to publishers, illustrators do the same! And the best of the best are picked up by agencies that help them connect with publishers and land big book deals. Every agency is different, and some may not be open to self-publishing projects. But many of those illustrators are eager to take on some freelance work until they get a traditional gig.
If you go this route, be prepared to pay big bucks! These artists are pros and their prices will reflect that.
5. Other self-published books and authors
This one is probably my favorite…and it’s the way most self-published authors eventually find their perfect illustrator.
Ask for recommendations from fellow self-published authors!
Buy self-published books and check out their illustrations. Reach out to authors and ask about their experience with their illustrator.
In the olden days, (before Angi’s List), people would hire a plumber or carpenter based on word of mouth recommendations from friends and family. And when it comes to hiring a freelance illustrator who you’ll trust to bring your words to life…that’s still the best way to go.
And if you want a list of illustrators that we, at At Home Author, recommend, click here and download our free list!
Tips For Choosing A Freelance Illustrator
Once you've found an illustrator you're interested in working with, here are some general tips for making sure they're the right choice:
✅ Look for uniformity in style and design.
Before you even email them, do a deep dive into their portfolio and make sure they have a consistent style. A good illustrator is versatile and creative, but their overall "vibe" should be consistent. If their portfolio is a hodge podge of graphic cartoons, blended watercolors, and charcoal sketches...they either haven't found their style yet, or they could be stealing from other artists. Either way, that means they're not the illustrator for you!
✅ Research other books they’ve worked on and check out their reviews.
An experienced illustrator should list the books they've worked on somewhere on their website. Research those books and maybe even buy a few to see the printed illustrations. Read the reviews of those books on Amazon. You can even contact the author to see how they liked working with the illustrator on their project!
✅ Always pay for a sample illustration.
Before signing a contract with an illustrator, always get a sample illustration. And YES, you should always pay for that sample. This isn't Sam's Club on a Sunday, people! Freelance illustrators need to make a living just like the rest of us, and even a simple sample illustration can take multiple hours of an artist's valuable time.
✅ Always request some kind of change to that sample.
Once you have your sample illustration, request a small change to it. Have them change the position of a character's arms, or the expression on their face. This is a good way to make sure that the elements in the illustration aren't clip art. A legitimate illustrator should have no problem making a change to a character while maintaining their style and quality.
✅ Make sure they provide you with a contract.
If they don’t have one, or ask you to provide one, that’s a red flag. Yes, they could be new and just haven't gotten around to creating a formal contract yet...but if that's the case, they probably aren't the best choice for your book!
The Bottom Line
Many children's book authors will tell you, the quality of the illustrations has a huge impact on success and sales. So don't skimp, and don't take chances! Follow the advice above to make sure you're choosing an illustrator who will be the perfect publishing partner for you!
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