Hiring A Children's Book Illustrator

For a children's book author, part of publishing a book also includes finding and hiring a children's book illustrator. At MindStir Media, we've been illustrating/publishing children's books since 2010, and many of our illustrators have been illustrating much longer than that on their own. Some of our illustrators are even award-winning illustrators. They've illustrated in nearly every illustration style imaginable and have worked on hundreds of picture books.

Recently, I had one of my illustrators at MindStir Media create a mascot for our children's book division. Check it out below.

Click here if you want to learn more about getting your children's book illustrated. We follow a simple 3-step illustration process and our rates are affordable considering the quality. We even include free revisions as part of the process and fees.

Children Book Publishers

It's been my experience that reputable children book publishers all provide these three crucial children's book publishing offerings:

1. Illustration services via professional childrens book illustrators. I've blogged before on the importance of high quality children's book illustrations and my opinion hasn't changed: Your children's book must have professional high quality illustrations if you want to have any chance in the highly competitive children's book market.

2. Reputable childrens book publishers also offer different book format options. Essentially you should be able to choose hardcover, softcover and/or ebook formats. My internal sales figures show that print is still dominant in the children's book market, so make sure not to skip print. My advice is usually to publish childrens books in multiple book formats if possible.

3. If you're looking to publish a childrens book you should also be sure to align yourself with a children's book publisher that prints in full-color. Believe it or not, I've seen publishers only offer black and white printing (for the interior). That sort of publisher would obviously not be a good fit for your children's book containing beautiful, colorful illustrations.

Interview: Children's Book Author Toni Tuso Faber

I interviewed children's book author Toni Tuso Faber earlier this week. She's the author and creator of The Poodle Tales children's book series and brand. An excerpt below:

Toni Tuso Faber approached MindStir Media in 2012 about her children's book series, The Poodle Tales. Since then, nearly a dozen books in the series have been produced. Toni also launched a fantastic interactive website at www.thepoodletales.com; built up an amazing poodle-loving community of over 12,000 people on Facebook; and has attracted hundreds of Poodle Club members (sign up to get free stuff!). She even created other fun stuff like the Catch A Poodle game and anonline coloring & activity book, among other things. I'm so honored to be a part of The Poodle Talesand I'm looking forward to continuing to help Toni with children's book publishing and children's book illustrations and more. Without further ado, here's an interview I recently conducted with Toni Tuso Faber:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Writing a book is like creating a sculpture, when you feel an urge, you pursue it. In my case, I never actually realized I wanted to be a writer. One day I was just inspired! 

How long does it take you to write a book? There are no time limits as far as writing a book, as writing a book is a very personal endeavor. The questions are many. Is it a novel, is it poetry, is it simple children's verse, or perhaps a complex review of one’s life issues? Hmm, difficult to answer; however, I believe the answer is, whatever it takes to make it great! It could take a month, a year, or even a lifetime … as long as it is good! 

Read the rest of the interview...

The Importance of High Quality Children's Book Illustrations

My book publishing company MindStir Media offers children's book illustrations and I can tell you first-hand that children's picture books illustrated by professional children's book illustrators outsell the picture books illustrated by amateur illustrators. I think the reason for this is that it's usually very easy to tell the difference between a professionally illustrated kids book versus a book illustrated by the author or the author's friend or relative -- unless, of course, that friend or relative or author is also a professional illustrator. Potential readers will notice poor quality illustrations on the cover alone and probably won't buy the book...

My advice to children's book writers looking to get into children's book publishing is to make sure to hire a pro illustrator just as you'd hire a pro editor. Remember, your children's picture book will be up against picture books published traditionally -- and traditionally published children's books almost always present illustrations of the highest quality. Nearly all reputable book publishers can hook you up with a professional illustrator to ensure your book appeals to potential readers. Don't skip this step!

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