✷ HOW TO MAKE A PICTURE BOOK ✷

Hello sweet things! To celebrate the launch of my second authored and illustrated picturebook BANDITS (out on 29th Sept and now available for pre-order) I am going to share my long awaited video on EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT MAKING A PICTUREBOOK! In this video I discuss coming up with ideas, pitching your ideas, getting published (and what it's like to work with a publisher), book contracts, getting paid and the entire picturebook process (manuscripts, storyboards, roughs, final art, digital detailing, getting art scanned, editing, colour proofs and getting your advance copies). I hope this answers any questions you have, and makes your own journey to publishing a story easier even if it's just by knowing what to anticipate! If you have any other questions please leave them below because I eventually want to make a dedicated Q&A.
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STUFF:

✷ Pre-Order Bandits Now :-)

✷ Build A Website with Squarespace (free trial + discount):

✷ Animated Book Cover By the Wonderful Ben Marriott:

✷ Chapters:
00:00 Start
00:18 Intro
02:11 The Idea
04:20 How to Get Your Ideas In Front of a Publisher
05:40 Contracts & Payment
07:57 Manuscript (the Story)
10:03 Storyboards
10:43 Roughs
11:59 Experimenting
13:33 The Cover
14:45 Final Artwork
18:10 Scanning Final Artwork & Digital Stuff
20:52 Editing the Final Artwork
21:32 Colour Proofs
23:35 Advance Copies
24:14 Zoom VS Bandits
27:09 Pre-Ordering Bandits
28:31 Ask Me Questions!
29:19 Thank You Guys For Supporting Me!
29:40 Bloopers :-)

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MUSIC:
'Time Adventure (Chiptune Cover)' — Max Demski

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COME FIND ME:
SPOTIFY ✷ Sha'an d'Anthes / furrylittlepeach

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MAILING ADDRESS :
"CHRIS FLP"
PO BOX 1971
Strawberry Hills
NSW, AUSTRALIA 2012

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FTC : This video was sponsored by Squarespace :-)

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Oh hey there little bean, watcha doing all the way down here?

[furrylittlepeach]

Hey cuties! Thanks for being here :* I can't wait for you to see my new book!

[BenMarriott]

It was an absolute pleasure to animate the cover! Such a great book and this is such a great video!!! I've got everything I need to pitch Hamdits to a publisher :D

[RocketK]

I do love this book 😍not there's anything against Zoom this one is just special! ...maybe it's to do with that last page hehe ☺️

[carissawong]

When people think art isn't a real job, I'm going to show them this. You're so intelligent and well-spoken!

[JustSariAnn]

I love this video! The only thing I would add is that people should never pay for a literary agent! A good literary agent will believe in you enough and in their skill enough that they’ll represent you for free and then they’ll get a cut of the book profits just like you 🥰

[friendlyghost]

For my art class, my teacher wanted us to write about an artist that inspires us. I put your name down, I love your art and your use of color and your personal style. Your videos always make me feel like I want to create art! Thank you for being so wonderful! 🥺💜

[LoopyBeans]

wow i’m a librarian and i’ve been reading so many children’s picture books while we’re closed (10+ a day lol) (i do not have a child) and i’ve been thinking of writing my own. i haven’t looked up anything about it so i’m so happy this popped on my homepage!!

[MariaKristinGerstenberg]

HEY! I am a children's book author from Germany. I make up stories with my children. We have now published three children's books by selfpublishig. We sell everything through our own online shop. For example our coloring books, mugs or postcards. Of course, our own books too, but you can also order them in a normal bookstore. Your work always motivates and inspires me. We already have Zoom at home and are looking forward to your new book. For everyone who is thinking of writing a book or a children's book. Be brave. Everything is possible and there is always a way. I myself was unemployed and started my own business and now run a small, fine family business called "Mäuse Verlag". Keep up!

[AlexandraHelm]

Hello hello from Germany!
I loved this video so much, thank you for all the insights.
I work as a full time children's book illustrator in Germany and in my opinion the hardest part is to get into the industry/building relationships to the people in the industry.
To achieve that you have to go to as many bookfairs as you can and be brave and talk to people and get to know each other.
In Germany it is not very common for illustrators to have an agent, because the payment isn't the best.
I could not afford to keep my agent because of the low payment for children's books.
I love making books and it is the only thing I want to do really so I had to go on without my agent but it is going well because I now know many people from the industry.
But I think in other countries it is super hard to go without an agent at the beginning, so your advice to get an agent is great!! :)
And: I feel like I am burnt out all the time haha... Making books is exhausting, but I love it much!!
Your books look so great!! Thanks for making them!!!

[Andyapolis]

I have no experience in making a book but a company did contact me to do a sample book spread illustration for a book idea they're doing. I also work traditionally and painting an entire spread in one sheet would be a recipe for disaster especially because there was a lot of elements in the brief they gave. So I relate so much to painting elements in different sheets of paper. It helped the process go smoothly and definitely relieved the anxiety you get when everything has to go right or else... Basically, painting elements of the book in different sheets is a smart way of doing things when you're working traditionally. :) Thank you for your insight on your book. The art looks amazing!

[IshikaShanai]

Wow. This was so thorough. I have no intention of making a physical picture book anytime soon, but it was super cool learning about the process. Thank you for sharing your newly gained wisdom with us!

[lizey.thornberry]

Yay! These process videos are honestly some of my favourites, I absolutely love seeing how you put these mini masterpieces together 😆

[josiekennedy]

Your talk about creative burnout was really reassuring to hear, thank you for this, it’s so helpful!

[intergalacticpeachpatrol]

just pre-ordered the bundle! i'm so excited to finally have a copy of zoom, and to get bandits as well! it looks like such a great story! i've adored zoom since it came out and have wanted a copy ever since so this is awesome! so proud of you and constantly inspired by your gorgeous artworks. congratulations! thank you for making lockdown a little bit brighter for me x

[yumiincolor]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!! Thank YOU so much for making this video I can’t wait to watch it. 💛 You are such an inspiration to me. I love seeing your process. Thank you for sharing your art with the world. One of my biggest dreams is to illustrate and publish a children’s book. So I’m so excited to watch this. 💛

[daninakao]

I was sooo happy to be still awake to watch this new video of yours ♡ I don't have enough words to say how much your work and the way you share it with the world inspires me (: thanks for that and congrats on the new boook !

[Haru_Light]

I can't wait to get your book!! I'm excited and happy I bought it as soon as you listed it!

[nityamenon]

This video is exactly what I was waiting for! This was so amazing to watch! Love your work! ♥️✨

[morganmoonstone]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this! ❤️❤️❤️ I commented on one of your Instagram posts about what paper you use bc Ive been trying to make a children's book and today saw you made this, thank youuuu! 🙏

[AWonderfulSheep]

Sha'an your enthusiasm and creativity always inspires so! I had no plans to make a picture book when I started this video, but by the end I was convinced that was my calling in life! So happy and excited for you!