Eliza Wheeler is the author-illustrator of several children's books, including Miss Maple’s Seeds, which debuted on the New York Times best seller list. She is the illustrator of Fairy Spell: How Two Girls Convinced The World That Fairies Are Real (Marc Tyler Nobleman), The Pomegranate Witch (Denise Doyen), and many others.
Wheeler's agent, Jennifer Rofé, is a senior agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Here are some questions/concerns covered in their session:
Question: Is it possible to make a living illustrating children's books?
Answer: Yes, but there are things to consider. You're not going to get rich. Consider whatyou need for your lifestyle and body of work. Many illustrators starting out work full-time jobs, with children's illustration as a second career . . . or vise versa.
A breakdown of Jennifer Rofé's clients:
44% illustrate children's books full time.
25% are also animators
19% are graphic designers
12% are teachers
-----------------Reasons why some illustrators find difficulty moving career forward
- Lack of self promotion. Send those post cards. Promote yourself on social networks.
- Lack of commitment. Some illustrators simply don't have desire or drive to do the hard work necessary to launch a career. Most successful illustrators burn the candle at both ends.
- Lacking commitment to the study of the craft of illustration. Successful illustrator study picture books. They always strive to improve their art.
- Style isn’t marketable.
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Misguided advice: Illustrators should write. Illustrators often get this advice as a way to expand their careers, but not all illustrators can or should write. Writers take years to develop their craft. Your time might be better spent on self promotion.
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So much more was covered in this session—money and advances, royalties, contracts. So many things I'd not considered as a longtime, agented illustrator. Just goes to show how important it is to continue to study your changing career.
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