Book illustration for manuscripts and author publications
Book Illustration for Novels, Poetry Collections and Author Publications
Not every book needs many illustrations. But when an image becomes part of a book, it should have a clear purpose.
We create illustrations for novels, poetry collections, historical books, educational materials and privately published author publications. The images are designed to support the mood, structure and reading experience of the book, not simply decorate the text.
This may include chapter-opening illustrations, internal scene illustrations, recurring motifs, character or location drawings, historical details, or an internal visual world that connects with the cover.
When is book illustration worth considering?
When the image has a real role inside the book. It should not simply fill an empty space. It can set the tone, divide the text, highlight a moment, evoke a period, or connect the book through a recurring visual motif.
For literary books
In novels, short story collections and poetry books, illustration should not take away the reader’s own inner image. Here, tone, restraint and a well-placed image often matter more than an overly direct scene depiction.
For historical or local history materials
In this case, the image should create atmosphere without weakening credibility. The accuracy of clothing, objects, buildings or period details can make a real difference.
For author and privately published books
When a book is not backed by a large publishing house, it is especially important that the visuals do not feel random. Illustration can help the publication feel more coherent, considered and professionally built.
What kind of book illustration can be created?
Book illustration is not a single format. Images can have a different role in a novel, a poetry collection, a historical book or an educational publication.
Chapter-opening illustration
A restrained image that sets the tone for the next section and helps structure the book.
Internal scene illustration
A visual emphasis on an important moment, situation or mood, where the image genuinely adds to the text.
Recurring motif
An object, shape, plant, architectural detail or symbol that quietly follows and connects the book.
Character or location drawing
Useful when a character, building, landscape or material environment should appear consistently and recognisably in the book.
Historical or period-specific detail
In a historical book, the image should not only be beautiful. The details also need to support the credibility of the book.
Internal images connected to the cover
If both the cover and internal illustrations are created, the book should feel like it belongs to one coherent visual world inside and out.
Not sure what kind of image would fit your book?
That is normal. With many manuscripts, it only becomes clear after an initial reading and visual assessment whether the book needs scene illustrations, chapter openers, motifs or a more restrained visual direction.
Send us your manuscriptThis may not be the right service if…
This service is not random illustration placement, not a quick decorative image, and not image generation where a few striking visuals are created independently from the book’s text. Book illustration is worth considering when at least part of the manuscript is available, the genre is clear, and there is some idea of what role the images should play.
An AI-based visual direction is also possible. For us, this is not a forbidden area, but one possible working method. The difference is that AI is not used on its own as a shortcut. In book illustration, it needs human direction, manuscript reading, visual editing, style control and consistent image decisions.
In a book, it is especially important that the images do not feel like separate visual pieces, but belong to the same world. If AI becomes part of the process, the goal remains the same: characters, moods, motifs and proportions should not fall apart from page to page.
If the only clear idea is that “it would be nice to have some images in the book”, then the purpose, mood and planned format of the book should be clarified first. But if you already know that you are considering classic, digital or AI-assisted illustration, that is a workable starting point.
What affects the price of book illustration?
The price of book illustration does not only depend on the number of images. A simple chapter-opening motif, a historically accurate scene, a character drawing or a series of internal illustrations aligned with the cover all require different levels of preparation.
Image type
Chapter opener, scene, motif, character drawing or historical detail.
Technique and tone
Black and white, tonal, colour, drawn or more painterly visual direction.
Research needs
Historical, local history or specialist topics often require reference material.
Book integration
An independent image is one task; an illustration aligned with cover design, layout or print preparation is another.
A more accurate quote can be given if we can see the manuscript or an excerpt, the genre, the planned number of images and whether the book is intended for print, digital publication or both.
What should you send for a quote?
You do not need to finalise everything in advance. For a useful quote, we need to understand what kind of book it is, what role the images would play, and how the publication would be used.
You can send the manuscript or an excerpt, a short genre description, the planned number of images, estimated page count, visual ideas, reference material, and whether the publication is intended as a printed book, digital publication or both.
If you also need cover design, layout or print preparation, it is worth mentioning this at the beginning.
Portfolio: look beyond style
In book illustration, the main question is not simply which image looks nice on its own. It is worth looking at how the image handles mood, how much detail it uses, how it guides attention, and whether it could work on an internal page or as a chapter opener.
The portfolio does not provide templates to copy. It gives orientation: what kind of tone, level of detail, character handling or book-like atmosphere may fit your own manuscript.
View portfolio →Short FAQ
Can I request only chapter-opening illustrations?
Yes. For many books, a few well-placed chapter-opening illustrations are a more elegant and functional choice than too many internal images.
What kind of illustration works for a novel?
For a novel, a continuous image sequence is usually not the strongest solution. A few selected scenes, chapter openers, locations or recurring motifs often work better.
Do historical books need reference material?
Yes. For historical or local history topics, references are very useful: period, location, clothing, buildings, objects, photos or written descriptions.
Do you also handle cover design, layout and print preparation?
Yes. If you need more than illustration, cover design, internal page layout and print preparation can also be part of the work.
Do you have a manuscript and want to see what illustration direction could work for it?
Send the manuscript or an excerpt, describe the genre, planned format and the role you imagine for the images.