Getting the Attention of Art Directors

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How can a children’s book illustrator get the attention of art directors? That’s the question of the century, at least for those of us who are attempting to get our foot in the door of children’s publishing. Diane Earley, the Creative Director of Charlesbridge Publishing will be tackling it in her presentation Illustrating Children’s Books: What are art directors looking for? How to get noticed. And what happens once you get the job?

As the creative director of Charlesbridge, all projects are run by and approved by Diane. She has art directors and designers working independently on projects under her (and Diane is simultaneously art directing book projects as well) but at the end of the day the final stamp of approval comes from her. She has worked with illustrators such as Doug Salati, Wendell Minor, Peter H. Reynolds, Laura Freeman, Grace Lin, and Don Tate.

In this webinar Diane will give artists tips and strategies which will help. From researching publishers to email blasts to websites/Instagram, she will detail ways to showcase your work in a professional and appealing way. She’ll also discuss how to strengthen your portfolio through the choice of the pieces you present, character design, composition, and visual storytelling. Then learn what happens after you get the job—contracts, negotiation, schedules, sketches, feedback, and final art. The goal of this webinar is to give illustrators greater insight into how an artist is chosen for a book and the collaborative process which follows! 

Even more exciting: Charlesbridge is continually striving to uncover new voices, visions and directions, so following the webinar illustrators are encouraged to submit their work!  

Submission guidelines can be read in full at https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/submissions.

They publish fiction and non-fiction board books, picture books, early reader, middle grade fiction and nonfiction, and young adult fiction and non-fiction. Nonfiction tends to focus on nature, science, math, social studies, history, and the arts.  In both fiction and non-fiction, they are committed to reflecting and celebrating our diverse world. 

Diane’s webinar  will be held Wednesday, September 20 at 7pm.  Registration is open until September 5th with a cost of $16. 

Please join us for this exciting presentation to help jumpstart your career illustrating children’s books!

-Katie Eberts