Letter No. 33 [books for authors/illustrators]
Dear Friend,
I know it can be daunting. We have information overload in our society today, which is a good problem, but…overwhelming. I know when I first started out, I didn’t know who to get information from, so I went to my favorite artists, and found information from them, branching out from there. I wanted to share a handful of books that initially helped guide and inspire me (and still do!) learn the business of being an author/illustrator.
Art Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist
by Lisa Congdon
Book No. 1: This is the very first book I got about being an artist, and it changed the way I thought about artists and making a living from this career field. This book helped me believe it was possible, and then showed me how in a practical way. Congdon (and I love her artwork as well!) covers each major area of the business (like selling your art, finances, branding, and social media), and one of my favorite parts of the book is that she includes interviews she’d done with different kinds of artists about different aspects of the artist’s life.
Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published
Writer’s Market: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published
Books No. 2 and 3: These books are updated every year, and provide listings of agents and publishers, as well as helpful articles about writing query letters, the submission process, and the publishing world. For each listing, they provide details about the agent/publisher, such as website URL, the types of books they take, and submission details. I use these books to initially find agents/publishers I’m interested in, and then go to their respective websites to find out more about them.
Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going
by Austin Kleon
Books No. 4, 5, and 6: Steal Like an Artist, the first book I read by Kleon, did the same thing Art Inc. did for me—it made me believe I could be, and actually already was, an artist. Kleon’s books are really cool—they’re a combo of art, quotes, tips, and inspiration. These are fast reads, although packed with good stuff (and are really humorous as well). I recommend starting off with Steal Like An Artist, although all three of these are excellent.
These books should get you started in the right direction. I know there are so many resources out there, but the important thing is to find something you love and start somewhere (whether it’s these books or other books/resources). That being said, hopefully this combo helps and inspires you as it did me. :)
Tara