🎨 Choosing the right illustrator (before you make an expensive mistake)

A question that came up in my DMs today and I know more of you are wondering the same thing:

“How do I find the right illustrator for my children’s book?”

Here’s the part that often surprises people:

👉 It’s not about finding a great illustrator.

👉 It’s about finding the right illustrator for your book, your goals, and your publishing path.

Before you hire anyone, you need clarity on three things:

1️⃣ How you plan to publish

Traditional, hybrid, or self-publish all change what “right” looks like.

2️⃣ What role the illustrator is playing

Are they interpreting your story or executing a very specific vision?

3️⃣ Your budget + timeline tolerance

Cheap, fast, and great rarely come together. Knowing which two matter most saves heartache.

I’ll break down:

• where to actually find illustrators

• what red flags to watch for

• how contracts typically work

• and when to wait instead of hiring too early

For now, I’m curious …

👉 Have you already started looking for an illustrator, or are you unsure when that step should happen?

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