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!