Okay, so that’s a title designed to attract attention. But it does refer to a question I often get asked by people writing children’s books. People writing children’s books outside the industry, that is, but wanting to get in. The hard fact is though, anyone asking that whilst planning to get published the traditional route is unwittingly waving one of the reddest of the red flags that drive prospective agents and editors away. Because here’s the thing: the author almost never chooses the illustrator for their book.
This is because the look of a book is so vitally important to selling and marketing these days, that editors want to be in firm control of the visual side, especially with a new and unknown author. And this is as true of picture books as it is of the cover for your novel. Declaring that your Aunty Joan — whose watercolours are always so popular at the church fête — will ‘be doing the pictures’ is the kiss of death to your chances. It’s never been easier for publishers to say ‘no’, remember? Even if your aunty Joan is twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Award, and you are Neil Gaiman, your future editor will still want to be the one who finally decides.
But this is good news, isn’t it? It means all you have to do is sell the text, then sit back and let the professionals handle the rest. And you’ll always get some say in the matter. Of course, if you are aiming for self-publication then you are free to choose who you like and handle it all yourself. But that’s a different blog post. This one has just run out of room…
Ah, wondered about that. Perhaps I’ll hang fire on that graphic novel I wrote the text for now. Incidentally, your new blog has a title of “(title unknown)” according to Google Reader – is that an intentionally funky postmodern name or is something missing?!
Simon, I’m not capable of being intentionally funky in any mode, let alone a postmodern one. I’m not sure why the title won’t display. Thanks for flagging it up — I’ll look into it.
Also, thanks for mentioning graphic novels. This is one area where the rules are a little different, and it might be more acceptable for an author/illustrator team to put themselves forward together. But even here, texts are often sold alone, with the publisher taking great care to select an artist.