Mike Motz - Children's Book Illustration Services

This is a walk-through of the four simple steps that take place from our initial contact right through to artwork delivery. It outlines your responsibilities as creator and client as well as the aspects of the project that I'm responsible for. It may look daunting at first, but the vast majority of my clients can't believe how simple it is once they've experienced it. It is my desire to make the whole process of the artwork production for your book as simple and as fun for you as possible.

Step 1: Our Initial Contact

A.) Read over all the information on this website!
The information on this website has been written in layperson's terms to help educate author's on all aspects of their book's production. The more you know the less the chance of an unpleasant surprise due to you making an uniformed decision.

B.) Email me for a quote and include your formatted story, your preferred illustration style, and an idea of the self-publishing method that you'd like to use.
When I say "formatted" story it means that each page of your story should be itemized to include the text for that page as well as "illustrator notes" for the illustration on that page, just like this following example:

Page 1
(Note to Illustrator: In this illustration Uncle Joe is shown with Bobby and his cousins setting up games while everyone gathers around the picnic table, view of barn in the background)
Text for this page:
Uncle Joe is in charge of games. He knows just what to play.
Bobby's cousins will be there, too. What a terrific day!

Page 2
(Note to Illustrator: In this illustration Aunt Sophie is shown in her new shoes at the bus station picking up Cousin Stewart)
Text for this page:
Cousin Stewart will take a bus to get there from the city.
Aunt Sophie will wear a sparkly shoes. She likes to look so pretty.

These "illustrator notes" are your thoughts as to what you have envisioned for your story and must be included to give the illustrator a "step in the right direction" as to what you are looking for in the illustrations. You may think that your story's text adequately explains what the illustrations should look like but that is not the case. By adding illustrator notes now you'll be saving yourself and the illustrator potential headaches down the road. If you believe that your notes will not allow the illustrator to use his creative freedom this is also not the case, if the illustrator has better ideas for the illustrations then they will include it in the pencil sketches.

Please choose an illustration style for your book from one of the styles shown on the Artwork Examples page of my website and include it with your quote request. Click on any thumbnail image on the page to see larger images. Style availability depends on illustrator workload.

You can find descriptions of different publishing methods, which are written in layperson's terms, on the Publishing Methods page of my website. The pros and cons of each method are listed there to help you make an informed decision as to which method is right for you. If, after reading the Publishing Methods page, you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them for you.

C.) After I've read the information in your quote request I then provide you with a quote for illustrations for your book.
If you find the quote that I supply you is to your liking then we proceed to Step 2. If not, I sincerely wish you all the best in your search for help in producing your childrens book.

Step 2: Let's Get This Party Started!

The Contract and Deposit Payment
Once you have confirmed that my quote is acceptable, I then create the contract for the work. The contract is written in plain English, not legal doublespeak, and outlines the work to be done, the payment methods, and when each installment payment (three in all) is due. This contract is then emailed to you for your review. If the contract is acceptable, you then print the contract, fill in the required information, sign it and mail it back to me.

Included with the contract that I've emailed you will be a link to a webpage where you'll be able to pay your deposit by credit card or PayPal money transfer should you choose this method of payment. I use PayPal (www.paypal.com) for all credit card verification. The other methods of payment are your choice of: International Money Order or a wire transfer of funds. If you choose an immediate form of payment (credit card, Paypal money transfer, or wire transfer) for your deposit, work can proceed while the contract is being delivered by regular mail.

Please note: No work begins until the deposit has been received.

Step 3: The Real Excitement Begins!

The Creative Process
Once the publishing method for your book has been decided upon and your book's size has been finalized, sketching can begin on the illustrations for your book. As the illustrator completes the black and white rough sketches I email them to you for approval. It is your responsibility to review the sketches and if you'd like changes made to the sketches then list the changes in point form in a reply email. No change requests will be accepted by phone. If you approve of the sketches then please state that in your reply email. The client is allowed two revisions to each sketch before additional charges apply.

Once all the black and white sketches are completed and approved by you the second installment payment is then required.

Once that payment has been received work begins on the finished colored illustrations. As before, like with the black and white sketches, I email the low resolution (email-friendly) color images to you for approval and you reply with either a change request or approval of the image. For the color illustrations you are allowed one revision to each color illustration. Should you require additional changes to the color beyond that one revision or should you require changes to the original sketch (before color was applied) then additional charges will apply. If a revision is required due to the fault of the illustrator then additional charges will not apply for the resulting revision.

After all the color illustrations have been completed and approved by you then the third (final) payment is required.

Step 4: Happily Ever After

Delivery
After I receive the final payment from you I then save all your illustrations to two CDs and mail them right to your door. Both CDs will have the exact same content, you'll keep one for your own personal files as a backup copy and the other CD you would mail along with your manuscript to your publisher or graphic designer (depending on your preferred method of publishing). The publisher or graphic designer creates the camera-ready artwork (artwork comprised of the illustrations and your manuscript) and sends you images (proofs) to approve. Once those images are approved your book goes to print.

To request a
Quote For Artwork For Your Children's Book
please contact Mike at