Caroline Wakeman, of Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency, has been elected as the judge for the 2023 Best Children’s Illustrated Books award! The competition is running from October 3rd to March 1st, 2023. Caroline is searching for exciting stories that young children will ask for over and over again! She highlights that “Picture books are a beautiful synergy of artwork and text, but it takes skill to create this fine balance and master. They are also instrumental to assisting a child in learning to read, as a lot of the storyline is told within the pictures.”
Submissions can include stories in development such as rough sketches, carefully positioned text and at least two finished double-page spreads in color. Picture books that are ready for publication or self-published can also enter! Entrants can submit individually or collaborate in illustrator/author pairs. Learn more about the award and what Caroline is looking for here.
Are you an illustrator looking for open calls and opportunities? The work is out there, and you are not invisible, although sometimes in such a competitive environment, we understand it is natural to worry that you are going unseen. The fact is, you just need to know where to look and how to show up…
Graphic novels are having a moment and it’s no passing trend. From classrooms to bestseller lists, graphic novels are dominating shelves and reading time across all ages. What was once seen as a niche format with a distinct, heavy-lined “comic book” aesthetic has exploded into a dynamic, expressive medium that spans every style and genre…
“I don’t have any client work, what do I even put in my portfolio?” This is one of the more common worries we hear from illustrators who are new to developing their portfolios, but we want to encourage you to reframe this question: Having no client work isn’t a weakness, try to view this as…
How do you connect with clients and agents? It’s a question that comes up again and again, and often you will hear people focus on visibility, being seen at the right events, posting your work constantly and having a strong presence on social media. But connection isn’t just about being visible. It’s about being remembered,…
Learn how to write a powerful professional illustrator biography that attracts the right clients. Discover structure tips, examples, and how to create a compelling artist bio in 150–250 words.
Imagine having a guide who not only understands the creative path an individual wants to walk, but also has the knowledge and tools to help them get there – successfully. That’s the core of the ITSme Learning Mentorship. Whether someone is a student, a young professional at the beginning of their career, or an artist…
Learn how to spot AI art in this comprehensive guide.