Looking for an illustrator or artist for your self-published book? Here are some useful resources. While the focus is on BC, other resources are also listed.
First: The importance of good illustration cannot be overstated. Getting the right illustrative style can make your book come alive. Get it wrong and it will languish.
Second: Make sure you spend some time learning about copyright and permissions. (See resources listed under these headings on our “Business Side of Writing” page.)
New: AI book cover art
Before using powerful AI (artificial intelligence) tools for illustrations and/or book cover art, there are legal, copyright, and ethical issues to consider. For example, one Canadian creator of journals had her lucrative works suddenly removed by Amazon over supposed copyright violations. She then had to untangle a complicated copyright issue. Finally, after much investigation, she got legal clarification which she describes in great detail in this Youtube video.
Find an Illustrator For your self-published book
- BC Children’s Illustrators
- Printorium Bookworks Directory (Victoria, BC)
- Reedsy – Illustrators Directory (Global)
- Bark.com – Find professionals in your area (Global)
- Society of Illustrators Directory (Global)
- Fresh Brewed Illustration.com (Vancouver)
Comic Illustrators and Artists
- Cloudscape Comics – BC comic artists and illustrators
- Camosun College – Comic & Graphic Novels Program
- Langara College – 2D Technologies Program
- Stan Jaskiel – Cartoonist (US)
Additional resources
- see our Graphic Designer resource page (for covers and book interiors)
- Check out our DIY “Graphics Tools” in the Technical-Tools section.
- see our big list of Self-Publishing Resources here.
Note: Links and information are for research purposes and do not replace professional advice. In addition, accuracy of third-party websites cannot be verified and links do not indicate endorsement. All affiliate links are indicated.
Updated June 2025 by 3PennyPublishing – Victoria, BC, Canada; researching and sharing self-publishing resources with writers since 2010.