A few days ago, I sent over 300 of these postcards to publishers, editors, and art directors. This is a 5"x7" postcard and I placed a label with the publisher's address in the center of the blue tablecloth. I usually get my postcards printed at www.vistaprint.com, but since Vistaprint doesn't do 5"x7" postcards, I had this one printed at www.printplace.com.
Right now, I'm working on illustrating a series of 6 easy reader books. They'll be published this summer, so it'll be a little bit before I can show you a peek at the artwork. It's a really fun series with a theme I really enjoy! I'm also working on some black and white line drawings for educational purposes for another publisher, and I'm trying to find time to work on my picture book dummy for one of the manuscripts I've written. Lots of work at the moment - yay!
15 comments:
Love the idea of placing the addresses on the tablecloth! Cool postcard..How effective would you say they are for your business? Curious.. :)
And oh, really like the illo on the front. The version with Santa on it is one of my favourites.
Cheers!
So far, the postcards haven't been too effective - just a couple bites. But I'm sending them to trade publishers and that's a tough market to break into. Even if an editor or art director from a trade publisher likes my postcard, it may be years before the picture book manuscript for my style comes around to that person. If that person hasn't seen a recent postcard of my work at that point when that project comes, my old postcard may not get pulled from the filing cabinet. So... keep sending postcards every 3-4 months or when you have a new piece worth sending is the rule of thumb.
I remember the cupcake illo from an older post... I think. I love it!! So much expression in all the kids and beautiful colors. :)
I also like all the new black/white illustrations you are posting
ugh...Sendouts are such a pain. Yours look great though!
thank you for the comments on my blog Kristi... your words are very encouraging!
If you don't mind, I've placed your link on my site... Id like very much to stay up to date on your illustrations... They're Beautiful!!!
Wow, 300!??!! That's awesome Kristi. Where on earth did you get all of those contacts?
Love the postcard. I hope it brings you lots of nibbles and at least one big bite!
Thanks for the comments and compliments! I'm honored to have such excellent illustrators visiting my blog!
Kate, to answer your question, I get my contacts from CWIM, Publisher's Weekly, Harold Underdown's "Who's Moving Where" section, SCBWI conference faculty, etc.
When I first started my address list and one illustrator told me they sent to over 100 names, I was amazed. How could they find 100 publishers? But it's not a matter of finding 100 or 300 publishers, it's a matter of finding anyone who may have input on choosing an illustrator. Editors suggest or choose illustrators all the time and there are lots of editors at each publisher.
I asked Editorial Anonymous about editors and here's her response: http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/2007/09/visual-query-letter.html
Wonderful promotional cards, and what a great idea to include a spot within the illustration for a label. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the advice you left on Verla Kay a few days ago about sending postcards. yours look really great. i hope something great comes from your mailing.
Good luck Kristi, these postcards are wonderful! Keep us posted on responses.
Hi Kristi. I found your beautiful and helpful website from Google search! thanks for useful info about the postcard mailing. Did you send the postcard as it is or did you put them into envelopes? I've heard their are some regulation for the back of the postcard for address and stamps and was wondering if you were OK to send them. It is very brilliant design of yours though. If we are allowed I wish I can make one more creative. Good luck!!
Thanks for the comments! Youngsun Kim - I send the postcards as is, not in an envelope. These were fine to mail with the address label over the blue tablecloth. Some art directors say they prefer postcards not in envelopes because it takes longer to open envelopes. If you are worried about postcard regulations, visit your post office and ask for a mailing template. I have one and it helps. These were oversized postcards, so they required a regular stamp, not a postcard stamp.
Thank you so much for giving me detailed information. I checked the postcard regulation and etc. very helpful. Oh, the nice comment you left was on my husband Yunglo's blog. haha. It's fine. At least I could read it. My art blog is http://creamiyaki.blogspot.com . ;) Thanks and good luck to your future art career!
Thanks for the excellent post and look forward to seeing more on your new upcoming books in the new year!!
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