How to Hire an Illustrator for Your Children’s Book (A Step-by-Step Guide for Indie Authors)
You’ve already gotten through the writing phase, that’s such a big accomplishment in itself!!
But the next step, passing over your baby (aka your manuscript) over to a stranger can suddenly feel big. Permanent. Slightly overwhelming.
If that’s you right now, take a breath. We’re not handing anything over blindly. It is completely possible to take the right steps to vet your illustrator. That way, when you’re finally at that point of sealing the deal, you will feel confident and perhaps down right excited!
And just so you know, nobody just magically knows how to look for an illustrator, but anyone can figure it out. You are totally equipped to do this, it just takes a little planning.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
Step 1: Get Clear Before You Start Searching
Let’s just go through a little checklist of all the things you should prepare before starting to look for an illustrator:
Ideal Illustration Style
Ideal Illustration medium
Page count and Illustration count
Thoughts on Full bleed, vignettes, spot illustrations, or comic strip style
Ideal Cover and Backcover
Book Size and Orientation
Your Budget
Desired Timeline
If you can’t answer any of these, I would definitely take some time first to go to a library or bookstore. Spend time looking at all the picture books and seeing what you like and dislike.
There are a lot of illustrators and illustration styles out there, so it’s really going to help you narrow down your search once you are clear on all of these items.
Once you’ve gotten clarity on these items, you’re ready for the next step!
Step 2: Where to Find a Children’s Book Illustrator
Once you’re clear on what you’re looking for, here are great places to begin:
Word of mouth (writing groups are gold)
Freelance platforms (ex. Fiverr, Reedsy, Upwork)
Social media (ex. Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, etc.)
I’ve noticed there are especially a lot of illustrators, including more indie freelancers, on Instagram as it’s such a visual platform
Searching Instagram can be intimidating, but one simple way is to:
-Press the magnifying glass at the bottom
-Type in your search term like “kidlitillustrator,” or “freelanceillustrator” etc. in the search bar at the top,
-Then you could scroll through the “For You”, “Accounts”, or “Tags” categories.
Look in books you like and/or google search
(Keep in mind that many of the people you find may be represented. This means you would have to go through their agent which isn’t very easy for indie authors, so just something to be aware of).
One thing to help narrow down your search is to specify with something like “freelance kidlit illustrators.”
Step 3: Narrow It Down Thoughtfully
Choose 3-4, of your top favorite illustrators you’ve found by looking through their past artwork and portfolios
If possible, look at their reviews or ask for references (find out if they are professional, on time, reliable, etc.) do your due diligence before investing
Then reach out and ask:
Are you currently available?
What is your timeline?
What is your pricing structure?
Do you offer a paid one-page sample?
A one page sample is an extra investment, but I think it’s extremely beneficial since it allows you to experience their communication style and see how they interpret your story.
Notice How They Communicate
When you first reach out, pay attention:
Are they clear and professional?
Do they respond in a timely manner?
Do they ask thoughtful questions?
Do they communicate timelines confidently?
The early communication phase is often a preview of what the collaboration will feel like long-term.
You want to feel informed — not confused about what’s happening next.
Step 4: Always Use a Clear Agreement
Once you’ve chosen the illustrator you’d like to move forward with, be sure to get a contract with them.
Often, in self-publishing, the illustrator will provide one. Either way, it is an important step even if you know your illustrator and really trust them.
This will ensure you both have the same expectations and shows that you care about making sure each of you are being honored and protected in this process.
I’m not an expert in contracts and this is not legal advice. So I definitely encourage you to do your own research or hire a lawyer to make sure you know what to expect when signing your contract.
But a quick summary of the sorts of things it should include are:
Delivery deadlines
Revision terms
Pricing and payment terms
Who owns the artwork (ex: “work-for-hire” (you own all rights) or a licensing agreement (you get to use the illustrations for the book, but they retain the illustrations’ copyright).
A termination clause
Progress happens through action, not perfection.
Choosing an illustrator can feel like a big decision, but at some point, growth requires a decision.
You don’t need absolute certainty.
You need enough clarity to take the next step.
And often, confidence comes after you begin — not before.
Once you’ve found an awesome illustrator, agreed on the terms of the project, and are moving forward together, the next step is to clearly communicate so they can deliver exactly what you’re looking for! Feel free to check out my post [How to Communicate with Your Children’s Book Illustrator So Your Story Comes to Life].
If this stage feels exciting but overwhelming, you’re not alone.
Inside Publish That Picture Book, I guide you step-by-step through hiring and collaborating with an illustrator so you can move forward with clarity and confidence instead of second-guessing yourself.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. 💛
Keep Creating!
Kristen
Read Next in This Series:
→ How to Communicate Your Vision to a Children’s Book Illustrator