I am looking for information on co-authoring/collaborating on books.

How does the submission process work, is it the same as when there is just one author? Is it more difficult to interest a publisher?

Also, if you know the perfect person to illustrate your book, is it frowned on to mention it or to include an illustration? (And is this different for fiction and non-fiction? I am thinking of a non-fiction novelty book here, but I am interested generally too and I have not been able to find much information so far.)

Thank you very much in advance.

As far as illustrations are concerned, I commissioned a set of illustrations for the children's book I'd written, and submitted the text and copy of the illustrations to the Agents. It was not picked up but it meant I was free to go on and self-publish.

Normally publishers have a stable of illustrators they prefer to use to fit in with their 'look', but by all means send off your mss with a suggestion for an illustrator and a sample of their work. The worst they can do is say no.

If you do commission your own set of illustratons, you will have to cover the costs yourself. Make sure you have the artist's permission to use the work for the book and for any promotional material you may wish to produce to publicise the book. And make sure they realize it is a one off payment - they will not recieve royalities.

- NaomiM

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PS. If by 'co-author/collaborator' you are referring to yourself and the illustrator, usually the illustrator is not the co-author.
Only another writer would be classed as a co-author, and they would have a share in the royalties.

Thank you for your reply, that was very helpful.

I was talking about a co-author as well as an illustrator, so there would be three people involved. Or judging by what you said, there would be two people submitting, enclosing a sample illustration.

Thank you again.

For non-fiction the author(s) usually send a proposal and sample illustration, and then write it if a publisher decides to commission it.

I'm intrigued. Is your 'illustrated non-fiction novelty book' similar to the stuff that DK publish? Or is it for the adult market?

It's not factual, it could be described as a gift book, maybe.

I was also wondering generally about how to submit a co-authored book. I think you're saying that the process is the same as the one for a single author?

Thank you very much for your replies!

Hi Trinket,

Welcome to WW!

in my experience publishers and agent like to deal with one person - it's just easier for them to have one person to talk to/disgagree with.

If you don't illustrate yourself (which I don't) then include illustration guides in the body of the mss text. A pub. can then give them to an illustrator they trust. That's what happened with my book and it was all very smooth to arrange.

Why not join the Writing For Young Children group here on ww - there's loads of advice and experience there from people who write that kind of thing.

Nik.