FAQ
How do you create my illustrations?
All illustrations begin as hand-drawn on paper, and then are digitally colored. Final illustrations will be delivered as electronic files.
Who owns the copyright to the illustrations you make for me?
You do. You are contracting me to create artwork for a set payment and I retain no copyright claim to the work. And you pay me no royalties from the sales of the book.
I do ask permission to display a few samples of the artwork I create for you on this website and social media as examples of my work, with full credit and links given to your book, of course. This will all be defined in the contract.
Can you take royalties from the sale of the book in lieu of payment for your work?
No. You are contracting me to create “work for hire” which you will own outright. I do not collect royalties from the final book. Full payment is required before the final work is delivered to you.
What is the payment process?
There are 3 installment payments throughout the illustration process. Please see steps for more information.
I have a small budget for the illustrations. Can you suggest a way to meet that budget?
Yes. I can look at your story and budget, and if possible, offer a way to create just enough artwork to illustrate the story.
How many pages should my book be?
You can make a book as many pages you like, but the book industry has “standard” lengths that you should familiarize yourself with. A children’s book of 32 pages is probably the most popular length, and what I personally feel is the most ideal. With ebooks, you can make your book as short as you’d like, but keep in mind that if you wish to have your book physically printed, many companies such as Amazon’s Createspace or similar publishing services have minimum page requirements (Createspace is 24, Lulu depends on size, around 8).
I’m still not clear on how to divide up my text, how many pages I’ll need, or even what my illustrations should be. Can you help me?
Yes. I offer an Illustration Evaluation Service where I assess your manuscript and create a written detailed description of each image I envision for your book, as well as how to divide the text page by page. For more details, click here.
What about the dimensions of the book? Do you recommend a certain size?
Again, there are industry standard book dimensions that I recommend. 8x10 is a great size, not too big, not too small. I prefer one of the following sizes, but if your heart is set on a different size, I will consider it:
How long will it take you to illustrate my book?
There are several variables including the number of illustrations for your book, as well as how many other projects are on my drawing board, but a standard 32-page book can take 6 to 12 weeks. When I provide you a quote, I will also give you an estimate and time frame for which I can schedule your project.
Can I ask for changes as you work on my illustrations?
Yes, you are the art director. You are allowed one round of changes for each illustration at the rough pencil stage, and then another round at the color stage. Note that any additional changes beyond that will incur an added fee. All terms will be defined in the contract.
I have an urgent deadline. Can you meet a specific deadline for my book?
I will do my best to accommodate you, but of course would be dependent on my previously scheduled projects. Please let me know your deadline when requesting a quote and I’ll make an effort to work within your time frame.
I just want 1 or 2 illustrations to help my book get the attention of traditional publishers. Can you help me with that?
Although I am happy to create a small number of standalone illustrations for you, please know that the likelihood that illustrations will help your story stand out against many thousands of submissions to publishers is slim. I can best serve those who are putting behind them rejection notices and unanswered queries to publishers, and have decided to go independent and self-publish their books.
I’m nervous about sending you my story before I register a copyright.
Shouldn’t I get my copyright first?
It is not necessary to officially register for copyright until your book is completed. According to copyright law, your work is copyrighted the moment you create it, regardless of officially registering it. Please know that ideas alone can’t be copyrighted, only your unique take on them. You can read more about copyright at www.copyright.gov.
Can you file for the copyright of the book for me when you finish my
illustrations?
Filing for the copyright for your book is a fairly straight forward process, and you can do so by going to www.copyright.gov. It provides all the information you need about copyright, and will guide you through the steps.
Once you complete my illustrations, what should I do next?
There are many options and companies who offer self-publishing help. I now offer optional publishing packages to help you with the final steps. I can take your book to print through Amazon’s Createspace. There you can have a printed copy, an ebook form, or both, and it is made available for sale to Amazon’s full range of customers. Check out more details about my publishing package service.
I don’t have a book project. I just want to commission you to create 1 work for me. Can you do that?
Yes, as with book projects, let me know what I can create for you when requesting a quote.
All illustrations begin as hand-drawn on paper, and then are digitally colored. Final illustrations will be delivered as electronic files.
Who owns the copyright to the illustrations you make for me?
You do. You are contracting me to create artwork for a set payment and I retain no copyright claim to the work. And you pay me no royalties from the sales of the book.
I do ask permission to display a few samples of the artwork I create for you on this website and social media as examples of my work, with full credit and links given to your book, of course. This will all be defined in the contract.
Can you take royalties from the sale of the book in lieu of payment for your work?
No. You are contracting me to create “work for hire” which you will own outright. I do not collect royalties from the final book. Full payment is required before the final work is delivered to you.
What is the payment process?
There are 3 installment payments throughout the illustration process. Please see steps for more information.
I have a small budget for the illustrations. Can you suggest a way to meet that budget?
Yes. I can look at your story and budget, and if possible, offer a way to create just enough artwork to illustrate the story.
How many pages should my book be?
You can make a book as many pages you like, but the book industry has “standard” lengths that you should familiarize yourself with. A children’s book of 32 pages is probably the most popular length, and what I personally feel is the most ideal. With ebooks, you can make your book as short as you’d like, but keep in mind that if you wish to have your book physically printed, many companies such as Amazon’s Createspace or similar publishing services have minimum page requirements (Createspace is 24, Lulu depends on size, around 8).
I’m still not clear on how to divide up my text, how many pages I’ll need, or even what my illustrations should be. Can you help me?
Yes. I offer an Illustration Evaluation Service where I assess your manuscript and create a written detailed description of each image I envision for your book, as well as how to divide the text page by page. For more details, click here.
What about the dimensions of the book? Do you recommend a certain size?
Again, there are industry standard book dimensions that I recommend. 8x10 is a great size, not too big, not too small. I prefer one of the following sizes, but if your heart is set on a different size, I will consider it:
- 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- 6 x 9 inches
- 7 x 10 inches
- 8 x 10 inches
- 8.5 x 8.5 inches
- 8.5 x 11 inches
How long will it take you to illustrate my book?
There are several variables including the number of illustrations for your book, as well as how many other projects are on my drawing board, but a standard 32-page book can take 6 to 12 weeks. When I provide you a quote, I will also give you an estimate and time frame for which I can schedule your project.
Can I ask for changes as you work on my illustrations?
Yes, you are the art director. You are allowed one round of changes for each illustration at the rough pencil stage, and then another round at the color stage. Note that any additional changes beyond that will incur an added fee. All terms will be defined in the contract.
I have an urgent deadline. Can you meet a specific deadline for my book?
I will do my best to accommodate you, but of course would be dependent on my previously scheduled projects. Please let me know your deadline when requesting a quote and I’ll make an effort to work within your time frame.
I just want 1 or 2 illustrations to help my book get the attention of traditional publishers. Can you help me with that?
Although I am happy to create a small number of standalone illustrations for you, please know that the likelihood that illustrations will help your story stand out against many thousands of submissions to publishers is slim. I can best serve those who are putting behind them rejection notices and unanswered queries to publishers, and have decided to go independent and self-publish their books.
I’m nervous about sending you my story before I register a copyright.
Shouldn’t I get my copyright first?
It is not necessary to officially register for copyright until your book is completed. According to copyright law, your work is copyrighted the moment you create it, regardless of officially registering it. Please know that ideas alone can’t be copyrighted, only your unique take on them. You can read more about copyright at www.copyright.gov.
Can you file for the copyright of the book for me when you finish my
illustrations?
Filing for the copyright for your book is a fairly straight forward process, and you can do so by going to www.copyright.gov. It provides all the information you need about copyright, and will guide you through the steps.
Once you complete my illustrations, what should I do next?
There are many options and companies who offer self-publishing help. I now offer optional publishing packages to help you with the final steps. I can take your book to print through Amazon’s Createspace. There you can have a printed copy, an ebook form, or both, and it is made available for sale to Amazon’s full range of customers. Check out more details about my publishing package service.
I don’t have a book project. I just want to commission you to create 1 work for me. Can you do that?
Yes, as with book projects, let me know what I can create for you when requesting a quote.