10 Things Literary Agents Look for in Illustrators

Literary Agents Jessica Faust and James McGowan talk about all the ways writers can secure agent representation, but today, we're talking about what literary agents will look for in illustrators! Are you an illustrator hoping to break into the book world? Watch this video for how you can better your chances!
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Jessica Faust’s love for books is what first brought her to open BookEnds Literary Agency. It is her desire to be an advocate for all authors that pushed her to create her blog, the BookEnds KZbin channel and to maintain a vibrant presence on Twitter.
Jessica is proud to have grown BookEnds to an agency that represents authors of all genres for children and adults, allowing her to reach more readers and help more authors and illustrators achieve their dreams.
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Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders.
James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense. He is also actively building his picture book list.
Connect with BookEnds!
Twitter: bookendslit
Instagram: bookends_literary
Website: www.bookendsliterary.com
Connect with Jessica: bookendsjessica
Connect with James: jmcgowanbks

[@Ruthie888]

This was what I’ve been waiting for. Thanks

[@megauchenbach2960]

Great info, thank you!

[@nickiwyldesart]

Thank you for this video, Jessica and James! I soak up everything you put out, but especially your videos for illustrators. Note to self: add some B&W to my portfolio. And I laughed about hands in illustrations (yes, they are the worst). However, my current book is about snow, so most illustrations have my main characters wearing mittens! Ha. Thanks again...you guys are the best. ☺️

[@annelyartandillustration1561]

Thank you ;) this was very insightful!

[@KathrynFaye007]

I'm glad to hear that you like black and white lol my entire graphic novel is black and white. I sometimes think it'll hurt me in the long run but I shade in twelve gradients. Most of my colour is done in painting.

[@gela3874]

Do you maybe have more videos for illustrators??

[@MrEmanuelw]

Great video. And just followed your clubhouse talk. Wondering if your illustrators can be represented by another art agent for commercial work (advertisement, editorial/magazine work) at the same time?

[@salomeydraws]

The struggle with Instagram is the switch to the algorithm promoting mainly reels and videos now, so unless you're on top of videoing every piece of art that you make, you're kinda gonna get lost... Which is a shame in my opinion! Especially if you're busy developing your own stories in the background which means you don't post so often for a while because you've got your story development hat on lol!

[@solarsailer4166]

Totally unrelated question to illustrations: what do you do as agents if your client's debut novel has bad sales in the bookstores? I've heard that bad sales history can really hurt a writer's career. Thanks.