How to Publish an Illustration

Getting your illustrations published is a great way to start building a resume that'll land you a job in the exciting and fulfilling publishing industry. Publishing your illustration takes know-how and persistence. Follow these specific actions to get your illustrations published.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Acquaint yourself with the illustration market. Visit bookstores and peruse the illustration magazines section. Subscribe to a couple of magazines or visit their websites and familiarize yourself with the illustration publishing industry.
2. Develop a list of publishers who are looking for illustrations. Create a tracking system like index cards, logbook or a spreadsheet program to keep record of all your contacts and submissions. The purpose is to glance at the list and know exactly where each contact or submission stands.
3. Write a cover letter introducing yourself and your work, your background and interests. Keep it short and simple.
4. Follow the guidelines of each publisher when submitting artwork. Restrictions, possibilities, limitations and so on must be followed or your work will not be considered or viewed.
5. Put together your best illustrations in a nice, professional clean hard copy as a brochure that fits in a legal size envelope. Three or four illustrations will suffice to show your talent. At the same time, develop a website that showcases your work as well.
6. Submit your work to as many publishers as possible.
7. Keep your work area organized, so you can administrate your work easily. Supply your work area with envelopes, paper, brochures and business cards. Have a workable system in place to deliver your product. The easier it is for you to work, the less chance of getting discouraged and quitting. Perseverance is everything in the illustration business.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have several examples available. A publisher may like what she sees, but may be looking for something a little different and may ask for more of your work. They also might be checking to make sure your are not a "one shot deal."
• Smaller is a bigger deal when starting out as an illustrator. Consider local publications first and work your way up from there.
• Rejection, invalidation and evaluation unfortunately comes with the process of being an illustrator whether you are successful yet or not. "Keep to your highway and dance to your own rhythm" and you'll make it.

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