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Writer's Room => Picture Books (PB) => Topic started by: victoria-chapman on July 14, 2021, 12:35 PM

Title: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: victoria-chapman on July 14, 2021, 12:35 PM: Hello! I am an author-illustrator and I have a number of book projects I'm working on. One of them is in a full dummy format ready to pitch with two full-color illustrations. I have 6 others that are in various stages of development, including polished writing but only black and white thumbnail sketches and concept sketches for the art.

If one were to query an agent with the completed dummy and received interest to talk and see more, how polished should the other projects be? Do I need to have one or two other fully completed dummies? Or is a manuscript with thumbnail sketches sufficient?

Thank you!

~Victoria
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: Vijaya on July 14, 2021, 02:49 PM: :welcome Victoria. I think what you have is sufficient to query. Good luck!
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: Debbie Vilardi on July 14, 2021, 06:12 PM: As an author only, they say have three manuscripts submission ready. But for artists, I'm not sure. Do you also have a portfolio of your art?
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: victoria-chapman on July 15, 2021, 08:11 AM: Thank you, Vijaya and Debbie! I do have a website with a portfolio on www.weyakindesigns.com. I usually include that link with my queries in addition to the dummy book.
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: Debbie Vilardi on July 15, 2021, 09:13 PM: Sounds good enough to me.
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: Mindy Alyse Weiss on July 15, 2021, 11:35 PM: With everything you mentioned, including your online portfolio, it sounds like you're ready to query.

Good luck!
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: victoria-chapman on July 20, 2021, 09:07 AM: Thank you everyone! I really appreciate the feedback. ::-)
Title: Re: How much to have prepared if an agent asks to see more from an auth/illustrator?
Post by: kim-hunter on August 14, 2021, 03:47 PM: Agents who are open to submissions, usually have submission guidelines on their websites. I would look for those first. I would also finish at least one more written story and have several portfolio pieces of your art that shows you can manage all the things you'll need to draw to illustrate books - people, children, animals, buildings, props, backgrounds...