Sunday 30 October 2011

Advice for New Writers & Illustrators


I have always felt it important to pass on to aspiring illustrators and authors the experience I've gained over the years. The problem is, I am getting quite a lot of emails these days, asking for specific guidance. With the best will in the world, it is hard to give individual replies, let alone provide real feedback in the supportive, yet honest way people deserve.

Most of the advice people need has in any case already been covered by the many articles I have written here, or in the short films I have on my website. If you use the Hot Tips label of this blog, you will capture most of the specific advice articles, like how to build a children's book folio or what to do if you have written a book that requires illustrations

Under Hot Tips you will also find articles on doing school visits and on drawing in public. I have also included or ones I feel provide particular insight into the business of children's publishing: you just need to click the label then scroll down until you find what's relevant. 

Reading back through the blog generally though will give you a very good feel for how the business of writing and illustrating children's books works and help to give you an idea of what the relationship between illustrator / author and their publisher is like.

Please understand that I can't possibly look at your work and give feedback, there just isn't time, and please don't email me directly with a problem until you have read everything I have already provided. It's not that I am not interested, I just have to get on with my own work and life throws out enough distractions as it is.

Good luck everyone!

9 comments:

Aisling Kiernan said...

HI Lynne, having followed your blog for a while now I am constantly amazed at how generous you are at sharing your process and how much information is contained on your blog to help anyone to get started. I would just like to say a very big thank you for all your lovely posts You are an inspiration.

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thanks you Aisling - how lovely x

Anonymous said...

Oh,This is wonderful! I am going to read through all of your articles and informations! Thank you so much for your kind sharing! I deeply appreciate your generosity. I will take my time,and go through all of your articles!!
Have a great Sunday!!!! Happy creating art!!! ^____^

Sarah Anderson said...

Sounds like it would make a great book to me ;) I love reading your blog and seeing what life as a children's writer and illustrator is like, especially when you work with children as I'm a teacher. "Grand job Gromit" as we'd say in our house lol ;)

Julie Clay Illustration said...

Lovely post Lynne, you are very generous with how you work and all the ins and outs of book publishing etc. Just keep up the good work and keep blogging, I always enjoy it. Thanks. X

Caroline said...

I've always enjoyed reading your posts Lynne - I think your blog is a mine of information for us all. You've shared so much excellent information - thank you!

Lavanya said...

Hi Lynne
Echoing what Aisling said.. you are a huge inspiration to newbies like me, and your willingness to share your experience is amazing. Thank you.

Lynne the Pencil said...

That's great - so pleased you are all finding it useful. I figure that there is no point re-inventing the wheel and illustrators / authors mostly struggle enough as it is - we are stronger if we empower one another. x

Anonymous said...

I would also like to echo what Aisling said. I have followed your blog religiously for a couple of years! I thoroughly enjoy it and have learned so much from it. I have wanted to be a writer and illustrator all my life but it always seemed like a pie in the sky dream. Your blog is so generous with information, tips and as a window into your process,
and it made me incredibly excited about it all. It was one of the things that gave me the confidence and drive to spend last year creating a portfolio, put in several applications, give up my job and start an MA in Illustration. I started in September and it's the best thing I've ever done. I still read your blog all the time and your sketchbook advice and images have already been inspirational in my first few weeks. So just want to say THANK YOU! x