Do you ever make drawing to go with your writing or poetry?

You are brave, but I am not..Then again, perhaps the publisher's artist will have a better cover than I envisioned..

That's very possible! I hope you get your say in the designing of the book. I read a lot on the Internet about how the publisher more or less takes over and makes changes to your work. That really made me worried. And do be very very careful about the contract you will have to sign. Make sure you retain your rights to your story no matter what. If the publisher pressures you in any way and you don't like the wording of the contract, get legal representation for help. Be properly informed about what you are getting yourself and your story into. There is a good site online that may help. Here is the link. Its to WriterBeware Blog at the Sci Fi Fantasy Writers Association. http://accrispin.blogspot.com It's a lot of reading but the info is there to help you as a new writer and future author. {{{HUGS}}} Good luck!

Yes, and that's why I did my own book cover myself. And it came out way better than I ever dreamed, but when I went to a publisher about it, he said he had his own artists and didn't even want to SEE my book cover and illustrations. Then I did some reading online about other publishers and found out the same thing. So I said, "Forget them! It's MY BOOK and if I want it this way, I will just self publish it." And I did and I am proud to say I have no regrets at all for self-publishing. It gave me full control of my creation (design and art) and our novel. As Frank Sinatra sang, "I did it MYYYYYYY WAAAAYYYYYY!" =D Now, the next book will be different. Just a manuscript and nothing else. Then will try again with publishers.

If I were in a position where I felt the book would merit some illustrations and I knew I could sell it I would try to work something out with my ex to do them.

Yes, I do agree, Celtic. I guess this is part of the reason I lean towards YA stories as I know teens and pre-teens still enjoy illustrations and graphics a lot. This is why graphic novels are so hot these days. So I take it you do not do any any illustrations or drawings for your stories? Do you hire anyone? Do you have a friend help with this?

Lucky you to have an artistic ex who would help you. That would save you some serious bucks. =)

Oh yes, I couldn't agree more. This is why I loaded my book with my artwork. Some of the images were pencil and ink drawings while others were done on the computer. There are a lot of maps to show where the ship sails and where various characters live. I literally had to draw the whole world of Tiaera as a tool to help me and my co-author write the story. This is where graphics and drawings are so important. Readers can so follow along on the various maps to help them imagine where the action takes place. My biggest problem with this, however, is that each drawing too anywhere from two hours to ten hours to complete. And these images were just black and white! To color them would have taken even longer. This delayed the book from being published by months as I worked long hours to complete each illustration. "Realmwalkers" took about three years to complete. I hope my next book will take only half as long this time. =)

You know, that's what happens to me when I am writing! I have to fight the urge to stop my writing to draw the scene or the characters or else it will only delay getting my story done. And you are so right. When I "flesh them out" in a sketch or drawing, they do seem more real to me and this inspires to keep going. What novel have you published with graphics or drawing or cartoons? Are they at Amazon.com? Are they ebooks?

I see, Phoenix. Well good luck in your endeavors. Don't get too discouraged. Many a famous author and writer has been rejected many many times (not just 3) but they kept writing and submitting until they finally got their break and become successful. =)

Aw, I was trying to publish them in my country but I got rejected. I think, three times. I wanted to pursue writing novels again, hoping I'll have the break this time. But right now, I am stuck into online writing. So, truthfully I haven't publish anything.

Oh, that's a great idea! If you have friends that don't mind having their photos taken and put in a story, I can see how that would so much easier to do than draw. I tend to write historical fantasies and so it would be hard to photograph an elf or a fairy, heheh! Besides, if one is blessed with the talent to draw, one should use it, right? I just don't want to do so many illustrations for the next book. I would like to see how the novel does without any artwork this time. It sounds like you write non-fiction works. Is that right? What genre do you write?

i usually write poetry but i am starting on some short stories now. But my stories will be about real peoples situations but it just change the names to avoid confrontations. But it all works out.

I see. Okay, non-fiction. That's very cool, LaFredrick. Good luck with that! If you are good at poetry then maybe you will do well with short stories. =)