The Prepared Illustrator: Preparing to Send Your Illustration Portfolio

Course Contents

This short course is for you if you already have work, but you are unsure how to prepare it for submission. It focuses on practical decisions: what to submit, where to send it, and how to manage the process.

Module 1 — Wanna Do vs Can Do

Purpose: Clarify the difference between what you want to do versus the kind of illustration your current work suggests you are ready for.

This module helps you separate aspiration from readiness. You will look at the kind of illustration work you want to do, and the kind of work your current portfolio can support. The aim is not to lower your ambitions, but to make your next submission realistic and focused.

You will:

• Define the type of illustration work you want to submit for

• Assess what your current portfolio of works tells you about what you can do right now

• Identify gaps

• Choose a focus for this submission round

Outcome:
You finish the module with a clear direction for what you can do right now.

Module 2 — Getting Sorted

Purpose: Organise your work into usable categories.

This module is about sorting your existing work so that you can see what you actually have. You will group your illustrations by purpose and format (for example: picture books, chapter books, non-fiction picture-books). This makes it easier to decide what belongs in each portfolio and what does not.

You will:

• Gather your current work in one place

• Sort it into relevant categories

• Identify which body of work is most complete

• Create a selection for this submission round

Outcome:
You finish the module with a set of organised, usable work to refine into a portfolio.

Module 3 — Publisher Research

Purpose: Work out where your current portfolio will be a realistic fit.

This module shows you how to look at publishers’ lists in a practical way. You will learn how to check what types of books a publisher produces, what their preferred illustration style tends to be, and whether your current work suits that list.

You will:

• Identify the types of books a publisher produces

• Compare your work to their recent titles

• Distinguish between “fresh fit” and “mismatch”

• Create a short list of suitable publishers

Outcome:
You finish the module with a short list of publishers who are a realistic match for your current work.

Module 4 — Preparing and Sending

Purpose: Prepare your portfolio and submit it professionally.

This module covers how to prepare what you send, how to choose what to include, and how to send it without overworking your portfolio. It also covers basic submission conduct: what to include, what not to include, and how to keep your process contained.

You will:

• Select work for a specific submission

• Check your portfolio for clarity and focus

• Prepare files or links for submission

• Send your work in a professional format

Outcome:
You finish the module with a portfolio that is ready to send and a clear plan for sending it.

Module 5 — Keeping Calm and Carrying On

Purpose: Manage the waiting period and plan your next steps.

This module deals with what happens after you send your work. You will set simple expectations, understand how to handle silence or rejection, and plan what to work on next.

You will:

• Set realistic expectations for responses

• Know how long to wait before following up

• Make a simple plan for updates

• Choose what to work on while you wait

Outcome:
You finish the module with a clear next-step plan and a way to continue working.