The Magic of Collaboration: Why I Work Closely With Every Author.

When you send your manuscript to an illustrator, you’re not just handing over a few pages of text — you’re sharing something deeply personal.

You’ve imagined this story in detail. You know the characters, the mood, the world. And now you’re trusting someone else to see what you see and draw it in a way that feels right.

That’s a big step. And it’s one I take seriously.

It's About Knowing What The Author Sees

Most of the authors I work with have spent a long time thinking about their story before they send it to me. Picture books don’t have a lot of text, so every word matters. But often, the real atmosphere of the story lives between the lines.

As your illustrator, I’m not just adding images. I’m helping bring your story to life, not only what’s on the page, but what’s behind the words. That might be a particular tone, a setting you’ve pictured clearly, or a feeling you want your readers to walk away with.

That’s why I prioritise real conversation. Whether we chat over voice notes, emails, or calls, those early exchanges help me understand your world and how I can interpret it through illustration in a way that feels true to both of us.

The Author’ Personality Shapes the Book Too

Every author I’ve worked with brings something unique to the process!

Some of you are full of bubbly ideas and contagious excitement. Others have a soft, reflective quality that shines through your story. I find myself naturally tuning into your personality, and it often guides how the book feels visually. Color palettes shift, pacing changes, little details find their way in, all based on the mood you carry and the way you talk about your story.

The end result doesn’t just reflect the manuscript. It reflects you and that makes the book feel even more alive and personal.

For First-Time Authors: You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Ready to bring your story to life?

If you're dreaming of creating a one-of-a-kind picture book , something heartfelt, beautiful, and entirely you, download my free guide to help you get started.

If this is your first book, you might feel unsure about what comes next. That’s completely normal.

While I’m not a publisher, I’ve worked on many books and I’ll gladly walk you through what I’ve learned. From preparing your manuscript to understanding how the layout might work, I can help you navigate some of the unknowns. I always try to adapt to your needs and make the process feel calm and supportive.

The most important thing is choosing an illustrator who genuinely cares about your story. Someone who’s going to treat it with the same level of attention and respect you’ve already poured into it.

How the Story Grows Through Collaboration

When we begin working together, your manuscript often feels like a clear sketch — full of heart and direction. My role isn’t to rewrite your story, and I never will. Your words are yours, and I have deep respect for that. Every sentence has been chosen with care, and it’s not my place to change them.

What I do is listen closely, so I can translate the tone, the pacing, and the feeling behind those words into something visual. Through illustration, the world you’ve imagined becomes tangible. We’ll add atmosphere, subtle details, light, and texture — all without shifting the core of your story. It stays fully yours, just brought to life in a fuller, more layered way.

You might not see all of it happening in the moment — but when you look at the finished book, you’ll feel it.

That’s the kind of collaboration I love. And if you’re the kind of author who cares deeply about the world you’ve created, I’d be honoured to help you bring it to the page.

If you're working on a book and want to chat about your vision, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out or explore more about how I work.