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Virtual Paintbrush
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    • Tell Me How I’m Doing
  • About
    • Pricing
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Self-Publishing

How to Print Your Self-Published Book

February 13, 2023 by Shanie Cooper

Hooray! You wrote a book and had it edited, hired an illustrator and a designer and you have a PDF of your beautiful, completed, new picture book. Now what? How do you print it? WHERE do you print it? What … Read more

Categories Design Process, Graphic Design, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

Understanding the Picture Book Design Process

December 1, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

When you hire a graphic designer for your book, the more information you have going in the better off you will be. I always appreciate when clients come to me well-informed and are able to ask me intelligent, thought-out questions … Read more

Categories Book Cover Design, Design Process, Graphic Design, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

So, What’s a Book Designer, Anyway?

August 3, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

Here’s the scenario. You wrote a book. After much contemplation, you’ve decided that you want full control over the process and the sales, so you’re going to self-publish. It’s a picture book, and you know it needs pictures, so you … Read more

Categories Design Process, Graphic Design, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

How to Work With Picture Book Illustrators

June 28, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

Not all illustrators are created equal. This means that while the advice I give you here might be applicable to some illustrators, others might tell you to get lost and let them do their thing. This is fine, too, and … Read more

Categories Book Cover Design, Design Process, Illustration, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

5 Important Things You Need To Know Before Starting To Work With Your Illustrator

May 29, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

The Specs You’ve hired an illustrator for your picture book. Congrats! But now what? Once you decide on an artist, you should give them the specs of your book before they start. This is important, so they know what size … Read more

Categories Book Cover Design, Design Process, Graphic Design, Illustration, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

Contracts, Copyrights, and Other Tedious Things To Think About Before You Hire an Illustrator

May 3, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

This is tedious to think about, but taking care of the legal stuff before you begin working with an illustrator will save you a lot of regrets later on. The first rule of thumb is to NEVER hire an illustrator … Read more

Categories Illustration, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

How To Find An Illustrator For Your Next Picture Book

June 28, 2022April 25, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

In a picture book, the illustrations are arguably the most important part of the book. Obviously, the story itself needs to be solid, and lack of editing will hamper true enjoyment for the reader, but a book that has well … Read more

Categories Book Cover Design, Design Process, Illustration, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

Why You Should Hire An Editor For Your Picture Book

April 3, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

Why you need an editor Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m sure you are a fabulous writer. But you need to have your book edited. Why? Many reasons. First of all, it is very difficult to be objective about … Read more

Categories Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

Why Picture Books Are So Awesome

April 3, 2022March 30, 2022 by Shanie Cooper

A picture book is very different from other kinds of books. They are my favorite kind of book to read, write, and design and my goal in my business, this blog, and my social posts are to help picture book … Read more

Categories Illustration, Picture Books, Self-Publishing Leave a comment

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