Book cover illustration jobs

#1

This might be a really stupid question, but I wasn’t able to glean anything useful from a search (thanks to the auto-zombified threads that have been turning up).

Anyways, I was wondering what kind of contact process one goes through if you’re interested in doing illustrations for books or book covers. Is this usually a process where the writer gets together with an artist, and they submit everything together? Or is it something whereby the publisher or agent looks for an artist once they’ve decided to go with the manuscript? In other words, if I wanted to look into doing book cover illustrations, should I be seeking authors,agents, or publishers?

#2

For what I’ve heard, you have to contact the publishers.

#3

Well that was quick, thanks for that. :beer:

Now I gotta go do a bit of legwork as far as finding the right publishers to contact here. :wip:

#4

I spendt allmost half a year to find a list of publishers in Norway, so to spare you for doing the same error and just googling it; Go to a local book store or library, whit a notebook, and write down the brands, then google them. It’ll spare you a lot of long and painfully boring hours

#5

Yeah, I was actually planning to hit the bookstores downtown this weekend and visiting the local books sections to get a good idea of the potential market, so to speak. I learned long ago that google can only take you so far. :stuck_out_tongue: But the thought’s appreciated nonetheless. :slight_smile:

#6

good forums to find info…

http://www.theispot.com/arttalk/
http://www.theaoi.com/discussion.html
http://www.illustrationmundo.com/phpbb/

#7

Nice! :slight_smile: bookmarked

#8

I’ve often been told it’s better to send a portfolio submission to a specific person as opposed to “Art Director” or “Art Department.” Once you’ve figured out the specific companies that you want to target, then figure out who to contact. Even if it’s just phoning them and asking, “Could you please tell me the name of your Art Director.” (Of course, your mileage may vary.)

Writers almost never get to choose their illustrators, even for children’s picture books where you would think the two would go hand-in-hand!

Good luck!

-mike

#9

Yeah, that’s definitely good advice. Any time I apply for an opening, or cold call, I always try and find out as much as I can about the company, and pertinent names. It’s always nicer to receive personalized correspondence over a letter addressed to a number or position. :slight_smile:

Writers almost never get to choose their illustrators, even for children’s picture books where you would think the two would go hand-in-hand!

That is strange. :argh:

And thanks! :slight_smile:

#10

While I’m at it, does anyone have any advice on cold calls/emails of this nature? I’m not quite sure how, or even what, to ask or address. :hmm:

#11

Have you seen this book “Artist’s & graphics designer’s market” Writer’s Digest Books. It’s got lots of companies, adresses, names of the person to contact. Info on what the company is looking for. Etc etc. The companies are greeting card companies, book publishers, art galleries, magazines etc, etc. There’s a new book coming out every year. The 2006 book came out last October(?).

#12

Looks like that book only covers firms in North America. Though it does appearto have pretty good information in general, so I might try and take a gander if I manage to get my hands on a copy. Thanks for pointing that out.

#13

Most of the companies are in the USA, there’s a few in Britain as well and a few in other countries. But I think most companies will work with artists worlwide. But I might be wrong there.

#14

get the book anyways… one you can always send to us publishers… 2 and the most important reason is they tell you how to submit and contact and tips on what they are looking for… base your submissions of that info

#15

Will do. I didn’t manage to hit the bookstores today since I appear to be out with the flu or something, but I’ll probably head down tomorrow. I’ll do my research on the local publishers as well as see if I can get my hands on the book. Definitely looks like a useful resource.

#16

Hi, I just wanna thank you for making this thread, I was wondering about book illo stuff myself and this thread’s answers have been extremely helpful :slight_smile:
Cheers!

#17

If you’re not adverse to freelance work, you could always try online art communities like Deviantart that have a job forum where TONS of self-publishers are looking for illustrators for their projects. There’s alot of competition there as well as the chance of an offer falling through since it’s homegrown. But I’ve found a few handy jobs through there that’d be good for padding the resume to present to an actual publishing company.

Right now, I’m working on my first book cover for www.blacksent.com and the author is self-publishing. He found me via my own personal page so don’t forget to put book covers and illustration down as a speciality and advertise your own portfolio so that people might come to you instead of the other way around. You can never have too many paths of communication and publicity open. Oddly enough, people tend to find me the most through Elfwood.com, which occupies top spots in search engines alongside yahoo and Deviantart.

Also, check out The Business of Being an Artist by Daniel Grant, which includes lots of need to know info about marketing your work out in a publishing environment, among a variety of other useful things.

#18

Here’s a book Writer’s And Illustrator’s Guide to Children’s Book Publishers and Agents by Ellen R. Shapiro.

I know it’s mostly geared towards children’s books but the information in it is pretty good. I suggest trying to find it at your local library and if they dont have it, ask to get it through inter-library loan.

#19

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