Oh wow. That’s a wonderful complement.

This is so accurate! He really is!

I’m shedding tears NOW. I love this so much. This means the world to me. Thank you.

@@IzzyBBooks well I didn't mean to make you cry but I shed a few in this process. :)

I can relate to this! My new book is in honor of my dad. Stay strong. And I hope you make some great books

This is beautiful. My dad died too and I wrote a poem. Not a book but I know the grief you are feeling. Trust me, his soul is much happier in heaven than hell on earth.

@@IzzyBBooks😢

I have a lot of hats. It’s always been my thing. If I see a cool hat… I’m buying it.

Oh! That’s awesome. Thank you for sharing. Best of luck to you

Wigs work wonders

Thank you. I appreciate that a lot.

I agree.

That makes me happy too. I’m glad I could help. Best of luck

I’d like to think so. Mind you molding your humor to work for kids is an art all in itself, but I definitely have to walk to line. Thank you so much for the compliment!

I’m so so glad I could help.

I’m glad you liked it

Ooooh this is one snazzy comment. Thank you very much. I’m glad it helped

I love the chicken too

Glad you liked it

Wonderful! I’m so glad it helped you.

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I’m glad you had a great time

You’re welcome

Glad I could help

You are a super positive person. You keep doing what you’re doing too.

Thank you

I’ve been doing it for 15 years

You’re very welcome

Thank you!

Glad you liked it

I plan on releasing some videos on illustration I just need to figure out the best way to go about it. Illustration isn’t as cut and dry because so many people have so many different styles.

Thank you

It’s my main thing to use

😁

I do illustrate for others. I don’t take on as many now but I do that

Thank you

I collect weird hats. So just about everywhere

The font size is 23. I used a font I purchased off of Etsy for commercial use.

@@IzzyBBooks Thanks so much. I have subscribed. You are doing a very great work here.

@@davidokon hit me up with anymore questions you have. I'll answer them all!

You’re welcome

😁

I draw everything and paint everything using digital software. The program doesn’t really do it for me. It’s just a tool.

If you’re scanning artwork use Photoshop and Adobe InDesign

Send them to me to finish? What do you want to send them to me for? And I’m honestly just trying ti decipher what you need help with?

Please also share again how you have made the UV features on the cover. I still try to find special effects for my first book, but I want to self-publish it. Which printer do you recommend?

Yes! Proofreaders are a must. When I spend $10,000 printing books in bulk I CANT make mistakes. I have a list of trusted individuals I rely on. They’re my go to

Typically it takes me 4-6 months to finish a book

Great question! If you’re wanting to get an agent it’s actually VERY frowned upon to find an illustrator. You see, publishers have their own illustrators they love to work with. As a matter of fact, all you need to send to an agent is the words. Now it’s smart to include illustration marks on the manuscript. I usually do mine in blue underneath. This way you can 1. Show the agent that you understand the visual part of making a kids book and 2. It helps them better visualize what you’re trying to do.

So your next step is to research agents. Find an agent who is looking for the books you’re making. Then write a query letter with a solid pitch. In the letter talk about your book, talk about your chops as a writer, and last talk about how your book would compete in the market. Comparing your book to a current book doing well in sales is smart, so do some research there as well! GOOD LUCK! I know I threw a lot of information out there, but I hope it was helpful. Maybe I should make a video about this…

I use indesign. But most people can’t afford it all, so I decided to show the most common way. It’s a lot to purchase all the Adobe software. I just wanted to keep it simple. But you’re right. Indesign is best for design for offset printing because you have to use a 1 color black for printing purposes. You can actually make text 1 color in photoshop too. But it’s easier in indesign. So this video isn’t intended for designers. It’s intended for people starting out trying to learn basics. I have formatted books for a lot of printers. And they’re very picky. So this wouldn’t work for most of them. But it does work for KDP

You’d probably be better off with 8.5 x8.5.

Thank you so much

Have a look at some similar books. There are a wide range of art styles out there, from fine art type to scribble to line art to collage to digital to... I know (from experience) that it is really frustrating when you have a perfect vision in your mind and can't make it happen on the paper. I still have it happen - and I draw photorealistic art as part of my job. So you can't afford to (or don't want to, and that's fine too 😉) hire an illustrator. No problem. You can do it yourself - if you believe you can. Just like with the writing, everyone has a starting point and can practise and get better. You already have a vision of what you want to create, so you are already ahead of the curve. 😊 Start with putting what you can do on paper. Can you draw a line, a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle (or oblong, depending on when and where you learned math/s), a wavy line, a zigzag, and a dot/spot/splodge? Perfect! Now draw them, and a blob person. Are there any special features of the characters? Use them so you can easily see who's who - like the character who only wears red or the one with frizzy hair or the one whose name starts with a P, or however you can make them individual. This is your key. Keep it safe, and away from prying eyes; it is only for you. 😊 Starting with your characters as these blob people, using arrows and simple shapes, just draw out what happens in your story. The first sets of pictures are for your eyes only, so make the storyboard however you can. Once you have that stage of storyboarding complete, you can practice and work on just the one picture (or just one part of the picture - go down as small as you need, until you reach the 'I can do it' point). Yes, this will take longer. But you will have your own pictures - and you may end up finding an extra side of talent you never knew you had! 👍 If it helps you, most of my characters are based on a few triangles, and I use my kids' soft toys to act out the story and be models for the poses I can't quite figure out... 😊

@@jennyb-aeternabitart7436 thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice and encouragement will defo try it out.

No. I don’t use that at all. I’ve heard people use that to format novels. But not for Kidlit

I use Signature Printing

@@IzzyBBooks thank you sorry that you had to decode this comment. You did great decoding nevertheless.

I will do some research I have not heard of signature printing

I know how to use both, but photoshop allows me to paint freely. I use illustrator to do more graphic design projects like logos, but photoshop is better for me to draw how I’d draw traditionally. I do know people who use illustrator to well… illustrate haha. But I wanted my illustrations to look more organic. My goal in illustration is for it to NOT look digital, and I get that look best through photoshop.

izzybbooks.com/authorresources

I had to make it a bit different to help keep it constant but it’s on there as storyboard template

CMYK 300 DPI. I save them as PNGs.

For sure

I have a few options. I have a printer in the US and one over seas

300 dpi

@@IzzyBBooks what is that equal to, if you took a normal sized printer paper sheet? or your average children's books?

I’m a magician.

I do illustrate books. It’s my full time job

Thank you! That means a lot

@@IzzyBBooks i dont know why but i feel happy after looking your videos because oyu git such a kindly energy. i love what you make. greetings from switzerland. jesse

I found them on kindle direct publishings main website. If you still can’t find it I can email you one

@@IzzyBBooks I am good now, thanks!

If you’re doing children’s books for that age you’ll probably want to lean more toward the graphic novel side. Which is VERY popular. But picture books don’t sell as well the older you get. It’s definitely possible! But I tend to stick to elementary

No. Paperbacks I use KDP and hardbacks I have a printer in the states who only does bulk printing

Yes I am

I can’t wait to finish this book

Good to hear

Depends on the length and how detailed you want it.

@@IzzyBBooks can I write it all on regular paper for you and do little drawings also and ship it to you?

The hose? Like a water hose?

Or do you mean horse!?