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Insider tip
How to Get an Agent: "Follow your instinct – more often than not it will be right." » Read more on securing the services of a good agent by Philippa Milnes-Smith-
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A different way of working on a picture book
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Writing Advice
I’ve come across a website that gives artists a new outlet, and anyone who feels inspired, a new creative tool. It’s very much in the beta stages at the moment, so you will have to bear with its quirks for a while yet.
Storybird is a site where you can set out a short story using the library of images they have uploaded, and then see your very own picture book on screen. They will Read more
“It helps if you (occasionally) think you’re a genius…”
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Authors and Books
If I knew the definitive answer to ‘how to get a publishing deal’, I’d be able to mend the hole in my roof. Only kidding (I live in a basement).
I’ve had quite a few books published, but it’s always been tricky. It helps if you (occasionally) think you’re a genius of course, and are slightly rhino-skinned to let those rejection emails/letters bounce off you.
My first book was published in 1986. I love magic tricks, but am quite inept at Read more
Edward Monkton on starting out
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Authors and Books
Something we pride ourselves on here at the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is getting you the best advice from the professionals. In our interview with Edward Monkton, he has the following to say about starting out as a writer or artist.
I call him ‘Edward Monkton’, as you’ll probably know him by that name, but he is in fact Giles Andreae, the artist, writer and poet behind everything from Purple Ronnie to the Hamster of Madness.
Giles Andreae’s advice for starting out: Read more
Tips for presenting illustrations
Illustrating children’s books is a popular area to break into. Guest blogger illustrator Clare Mackie shares her knowledge of how best to approach a publisher:
I often get asked about how to present your illustrations. What publishers generally want to see is Read more
I’m an artist, do I need an agent?
Getting an agent can save you a lot of time and trouble, says guest blogger illustrator Clare Mackie. And if you’re an artist do let us at ‘Writers & Artists’ know what your view is on having an agent.
This one’s up to you – it’s not imperative to have an agent, but if you’re not business-minded or would rather not deal with that side at all, then it’s well worth it.
Illustrators’ agents take about Read more
Don’t be shy, be seen
Guest blogger illustrator Clare Mackie has a few valuable pointers on how you can get your portfolio seen by the people that count
Once you’re set, perhaps with a website and definitely with a portfolio, you’ll need to have your work seen.
I am a little out of the loop, but on asking an agent they did recommend making appointments (as I did when starting out) with art directors, dropping off your folio with them or hopefully seeing them face-to-face.
If it’s the latter, do ask advice on Read more
Can I use a website as my portfolio?
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Marketing Yourself
Advice for illustrators from guest blogger Clare Mackie
By all means do try to get yourself a website so that art directors can look you up online.
I’ve found this invaluable – more important to me now than a portfolio, but I’m not sure it’s a substitute when you’re starting out.
Try to also have a traditional portfolio, and make it as beautiful and enticing as you possibly can.
Your portfolio is your showcase – you will be judged by it – so prepare it in a way that reflects your talents and abilities at their best. Art directors are by nature highly visual and will appreciate a well-presented folio to show to their colleagues and clients too. Read more
Editorial illustration for Country Life magazine with Clare Mackie
Guest blogger Clare Mackie tells us about life as an illustrator.
Quick update: this is a picture of me working at home on an illustration for Country Life, whose commissions I love. They employ different writers for their ‘My Week’ column, and it’s my job to realise a scene or a quirky image that springs to mind from their copy. It’s always engaging as there’s a mix of writing styles, subject matter, and seasons, but as I enjoy painting animals best (and they’re mostly what’s required!), it’s a very happy collaboration indeed. Read more
How to get started as an illustrator
Joining us as guest blogger today is illustrator Clare Mackie, who shares her experience of how she broke into the world of illustrating – it’s a competitive career, but it can be done! You’ll find some of her book illustrations, among others, in her online portfolio. For more inspiration, read on…
I often get asked about how to start out – or about how I started out – so I’m dedicating my first post to that topic. Illustration is a good career, but it can be a battle to get your foot in the door. This is a brief story of how I started out and I hope it’ll be of use to you.
After art school in Edinburgh I booked lots of portfolio interviews with art directors from design and advertising agencies. Unfortunately, a lot of them didn’t turn up to the meetings, and it was all very disheartening until one art director (who did turn up) suggested I move to London, Germany or New York, as my style of work wasn’t going to earn me much of a living in Scotland, though there is certainly work there too. Read more
Buy the 2011 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discount from our online bookshop. Get all the information, contacts and advice you could need.-
Win, Win, Win! We are giving away 5 copies of Qatari Voices, a collection of essays which will inspire new writers. For details of how to enter this giveaway go to 'The Accidental Writer' >
On camera: Jon McGregor
"Being longlisted for the Booker Prize changed everything - it was the launchpad for my writing career." Click to view our video with novelist Jon McGregor »
On camera: Justin Cartwright
"Just write... If you're any good you may not know it, but certainly someone else will." Click to view our video with novelist Justin Cartwright »
On camera: Julie Myerson
The novelist and journalist Julie Myerson on how she got that all-important first publishing deal. Click here to view our video exclusive »