Please don't ask me to illustrate your self-published picture book or to provide illustrations for a picture book you plan to send out to publishers unless you are an established author. Even then, I would need an upfront fee in most cases.

Please don't ask me to work for free. While I appreciate that there are many good causes and opportunities for "great exposure" out there, I have been having to cut down on my pro bono work so I can focus on paid work. 

Please don't put me on your mailing list without asking me first. If you do, I'm morely likely NOT to buy your books or services and am also more likely NOT to want to promote you in blogs/social media.

Please don't send manuscripts for critique or ask for advice about where to send your manuscript. I found my writing critique group through the SCBWI message boards. I advise looking for a critique group your local SCBWI chapter. Canadian kidlit/YA writers should also consider joining CANSCAIP. There is plenty of market industry info online, including Writersmarket.com and industry blogs; I post some of these in Inkygirl and on Twitter via @inkyelbows.

If you're looking for advice on how to get started in writing or illustrating for young people, I strongly recommend Harold Underdown's The Purple Crayon site, especially his directory of Basic Information for those just getting started.

If you're looking for advice on how to promote your book, try looking online - there are SO many ways to promote books, author promotion tips, and ways of building an author platform. How you promote depends on your budget, time and personality.

Also note that (with possible rare exception):

I don't accept guest posts. 

I don't publicize events that are only of interest to a small geographic area.

I don't publicize writing contests that require an entry fee.

I am not currently reviewing kids' ebook apps.

I'm not accepting any paid advertisements.

If your press release is clearly an email blast to hundreds or thousands of recipients and doesn't explain why the contents would be of specific interest to me or my readers, I will likely trash it unread. I SO agree with Jane Friedman's rant/advice about press releases.

Please understand that my blogs and social media accounts generate many (sometimes hundreds) e-mails and messages a day. While I read and appreciate each personal note, volume and time constraints make it impossible for me to reply in every case.

Thanks,

- Debbie

Visit Inkygirl.com, my illustrated guide for those who write and draw for young people. For info about my writing, drawing and other projects, see DebbieOhi.com.

I'M BORED: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

Buy at Indiebound | Amazon | B&N | Powell's

Twitter: @inkyelbows (writing), @ipadgirl (digital publishing, iPads), @KidLitArtists (illustration)

Current Projects include:

Illustrator, I'M BORED by Michael Ian Black, scheduled for publication from Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers in 2012.

Here's how a rejection led to a book deal.

A new YA novel which was nominated for the 2011 Sue Alexander "Most Promising New Work" Award.