This month, we’re focusing on some questions about picture book illustration.
For Authors
As a picture book author, it’s likely that you might also be the sort of person who likes to think visually. As the author you may have a very strong vision of how you see your text being depicted. The question is - how far should you go to convey these thoughts with your prospective publishing house?
This month’s blog will focus on three frequently asked questions that have been put to us regarding illustrations:
1 - Are illustration notes a help or a hindrance to an editor?
The quick answer to this is that minimal illustrative notes are helpful if they are really necessary, BUT excessive illustrative notes can be a hindrance.
They can be helpful when:
a) You have a clear idea of what you feel the art should show in certain places or if you think that it will add greatly to the text.
One of the best illustration notes I’ve read concerns a book about animal poo, some of which came from a squirrel. The author had made an illustration suggestion that said:
It’s this kind of funny aside that adds lovely moments of humour and help direct the tone of the book.
However, be prepared that this visual interpretation of your work may not always be exactly as you had first imagined. There may often be professional thoughts and input from your editor, the publisher, the designer, the art director and, most importantly, the illustrator. As a picture book writer, you must be flexible as to how the illustrator chooses to interpret and visualize your characters and the world they inhabit. It’s important to have an opinion, but you should always be open to their perspective.
b) The art tells a different story to the text.
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| Extract from Why? by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes. |
For instance: Here the text reads: "Sometimes, when he was finding answers, Archie made a little bit of a mess."
But the pictures show Archie's made a huge mess!
c) You have a visual punch-line
For instance, in the final spread of Billy's Bucket by Kes Gray, Billy's dad borrows his bucket to wash the car despite Billy's warnings that there are some very special sea creatures in it. Dad isn't quite prepared for what's inside this time . . .
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| From Billy's Bucket by Kes Gray and Garry Parsons |
Illustration notes are a hindrance when:
a) Your illustration notes tell more of the story than your text.
It may mean that there isn’t enough story in your words. Imagine yourself reading to a large group of children. If you have to pause too many times to explain the full story, you lose the flow of your text narrative and may lose the attention of your audience.
2 - Should I get an illustrator to do some sketches to accompany my submission?
You can, of course, but this is discouraged unless you are an author/illustrator. A publisher will judge your text on the merit of the writing and the story alone. Also, it is usually the work of the publishing house to pair your work with an illustrator who they feel will make the strongest possible team. Their aim is to create the most commercial book possible and one which will sit comfortably on their list.
3 - Should I be thinking about how the pages will look?
The easy answer to this is yes and no!
YES! As the author you should be mindful of things like pacing and setting and how to make sure you choose a range of backdrops in your story to ensure that the there is enough visual variety throughout. You have 12 story spreads to work with so think about how to maximise the distance your characters can travel. It can be helpful to create a paper dummy for yourself, so that you can get a feel for how the book reads with page turns. (You can even add stick figures!)
Little Puppy Lost, by Holly Webb, illustrated by Rebecca Harry is a lovely example of a varied journey. In the text we see a park, woodland, town street and finally, home.
Here’s a selection of the current best-selling picture books in the UK TCM charts!
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| From left to right: Gigantosaurus, by Johnny Duddle; The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers; Pirates Love Underpants, by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort; Superworm, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; How to Hide a Lion from Grandma, by Helen Stephens; Supertato. by Sue Hendra |
3 - What styles work for co-editions?
International appeal is an important factor when acquiring picture books, since publishers are often reliant on foreign rights income to make them commercially viable. To get a good overview of what styles work for co-edition, publishers head to foreign publisher websites or international Amazon sites and browse their picture book catalogues to see the sorts of styles that work in different territories. At meetings at bookfairs such as Bologna, LIBF and Frankfurt, publishers' foreign rights teams test out new projects and artwork styles and get feedback on what is selling well. If a book sells globally that is a real boon, though some styles may work well for the USA only and only a handful of European countries, while still others may be a big hit in the Far East.
Ultimately, illustrators should aim to create an illustration style that is child-centred and unique.
Natascha Biebow is editor, mentor and coach at www.blueelephantstoryshaping.com
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