About This Episide

Ever wondered where to start if you’re dreaming of becoming an author or illustrator? Find out how to start your publishing career with these author and illustrator training resources.

Recording from a frigid Indiana cold front (with wind chills hitting -20!), the cousins brought warm insights and plenty of practical advice for aspiring creators.

For Aspiring Illustrators

Nikki emphasizes that there’s no single path into illustration. What you do need is:

• Artistic or creative desire – You’ll be drawing a lot, so you need to love it
• Passion for visual storytelling – Bringing stories to life visually is at the heart of illustration
• Understanding of visual literacy – Especially crucial when illustrating for children

“You have to want to bring a story to life,” Nikki shares. Visual literacy is essential because children’s books rely heavily on pictures to communicate meaning, creating a reading experience for both children and the adults who read to them.

Getting Started as an Illustrator

1. Immerse yourself in books – Visit bookstores, study what’s currently published, and understand the market
2. Take courses – While formal art school was Nikki’s path, today’s illustrators have abundant online options
3. Join local groups – Connect with other artists through local art associations or online communities

Nikki’s top recommendation? SVS Learn (School of Visual Storytelling at svslearn.com). Founded by successful illustrators, this platform offers affordable, specialized courses on everything from character design to lighting. “If I had these resources 20 years ago, I might have skipped art school,” Nikki admits. “It’s so much more affordable and direct.”

For Aspiring Authors

Melissa’s advice mirrors Nikki’s in one crucial way: read voraciously in your genre. “You need to be reading the books in the genre you’re going to write in,” she emphasizes. “You’ll learn so much about story structure and reader expectations.”

For formal training outside traditional college programs, Melissa highly recommends the Authors Conservatory. This program wraps students in expert guidance from published authors while also covering the business side of writing—something increasingly crucial in today’s publishing landscape.

Key Resources for Authors:

• The Authors Conservatory – Comprehensive training from published authors plus business coaching from Becky Kopecky of Inspired Business Company
• Author Media (Thomas Umstattd Jr.) – Offers courses including a five-year plan to get your author career up and running
• American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) – National organization with local chapters for those writing in the Christian market

“All of this you can do from the comfort of your couch in your pajamas,” Melissa notes. “That makes it so much nicer because you can be anywhere in life and want to start this.”

Resources for Both Authors and Illustrators

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) stands out as the premier organization for anyone working in children’s publishing. This international organization has regional chapters worldwide, including in Indiana where both Melissa and Nikki are based.

The Power of Genre-Specific Critique Groups

Melissa offers crucial advice about finding the right critique group: make it genre-specific. “If you’ve got a sci-fi writer, a romance writer, and someone who does poetry, your feedback won’t be as valuable,” she explains. “Your sci-fi writer doesn’t write for your readers. You want to get in with others that write in your genre.”

She also encourages getting involved beyond just membership. Melissa serves as vice president of ACFW Indiana and finds that the connections made through service have enriched both her writing and her ability to help others in the community.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re drawn to writing or illustration, both Melissa and Nikki agree on the essential starting steps:

1. Keep practicing your craft – Write daily or draw constantly
2. Get connected – Join organizations, attend conferences, find your community
3. Invest in learning – Whether through formal programs or online courses, never stop developing your skills
4. Understand the business – Publishing is creative work, but it’s also a career that needs to pay the bills

Ready to dive deeper into the world of publishing? Listen to the full episode and follow Publishing Cousins for more insider insights, creative conversations, and practical advice from Melissa and Nikki.

Keep creating, and remember: in publishing, as in family, there’s always room for more stories.