Hiring an Illustrator for Your Book


By Mary Kole

Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.

If you’re an aspiring writer with a finished manuscript, you’ve probably hammered out the plot and characters of your book already. But something might be missing—art. Especially if you’re writing a children’s book. Illustrations can grab readers’ attention and add value to your book project, and are necessary to commission ahead of time, especially if you’re self-publishing. But when it comes to hiring an illustrator, there are a lot of questions to consider: When should you hire an illustrator? Who pays for the project? How do you find the perfect match for your vision? This guide will take you through all you need to know about hiring an illustrator for your book project.

Considering Hiring an Illustrator?

If you’re self-publishing, hiring an illustrator is the obvious call, as you are responsible for putting all of the elements of your book idea together yourself, including formatting, layout, cover design, and, yes, internal illustrations. But things get murkier if you’re hoping to traditionally publish. Should you hire an illustrator before pitching to literary agents and book publishers? Probably not, unless you’re very sure of what you’re doing. It’s true that an illustrator can enhance the visual experience of the book, drawing readers in, and conveying the tone and style of your story to gatekeepers.

But if you do end up getting a book deal for your manuscript, you should know that a traditional publisher will not only be hiring an illustrator on your behalf, but they’ll pay them, too! Hiring an illustrator too early in the process means you are left paying for something that could be funded by someone else later, and it doesn’t necessarily enhance your submission, especially if you’re new to hiring an illustrator and might not know how to give art direction properly. (Your budget might also be tighter at this point, and you could find that you can’t afford the quality of illustrator that the project needs, even for a few sample images.) If traditional publication is your goal, wait until after your book is accepted and don’t start looking at hiring an illustrator now.

hiring an illustrator

If You’re Set on Hiring an Illustrator…

Who pays when hiring an illustrator? In most cases, it is the author who pays, unless there’s a publishing contract already at play. If you’re set on hiring an illustrator, you can pay a flat fee, hourly fee, or ask if they’d consider a royalty share or a percentage of the proceeds, should the project sell. (Not all illustrators are amenable to this, as they take a risk by not getting paid up front.) An option to consider is a crowdfunding campaign where the illustrator and book idea get funded before you start on the project. When working with an illustrator, it's always important to lay out the financial agreement before the project begins so everyone understands the expectations and is comfortable with the process. You will also want to make sure to discuss revisions, as every project requires some images redone. Are these included in the scope of work, or are you going to be hiring an illustrator to fix things under a separate contract?

What kind of contract do you want in place when hiring an illustrator? A clear and concise agreement is essential to ensure the project runs smoothly, detailing all the specifics you've agreed upon, including timelines, revisions, final products, and payment arrangements. Include what happens if there’s a delay in fulfilling the project's obligations, as well as codifying dispute resolution procedures. A well-drafted contract can avoid misunderstandings and unpleasant surprises, saving time and effort down the line.


Finding an Illustrator

Where do you find an illustrator for hire? Try Behance, Instagram, DeviantArt, and Dribble, where artists showcase their work. Freelance hiring platforms like 99Designs, Reedsy, Fiverr, and Upwork are also good tools. If you’re looking specifically for picture book illustrators, you may want to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as that will give you access to member portfolios for people who are specifically learning the picture book illustration craft.

Another option is to reach out to art schools or college alumni associations to find talented, enthusiastic artists looking for a break into the industry. Ask about their experience producing illustrations for books, specifically, how they handle revisions, and what their process is like. It's essential to ensure that your vision for the artwork aligns with the artist's strengths before you sign any contract and more forward with hiring an illustrator.

Hiring an illustrator for your book project can be time-consuming, but it's essential if getting illustrations in place makes sense for your book. Consider the timing of hiring your artist, get creative with the financial split, use established or up-and-coming resources to find the right person, and ensure you have a clear, comprehensive contract. With these essential tips, you can confidently move forward with hiring an illustrator to enhance your book idea.

Click here to purchase Writing Irresistible Kidlit, my book on fiction craft for MG and YA novels, out from Writer's Digest Books. This will show you my writing craft philosophy and give you lots of valuable advice, including tips for the novel revision process and self-editing. There are over 35 example novels cited and discussed throughout. It’s a valuable resource for any writer’s toolkit.

Click here to purchase Successful Query Letters, my book on query letters, including over forty examples with comprehensive notes on each one. There’s a ton of submission advice, best practices, and insider information in these pages, and you’ll really enjoy seeing what other writers are doing in the slush.