childrenillustrators.com portal, does anyone ever try?
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I don't know if this topic is already being posted by anyone or not before.
I 've written to many agents but never heard back or got rejections. So currently I am thinking to subscribe to www.childrenillustrators.com portal to promote my work. For me, the price is quite costly because my financial is quite tight right now. But I also hope I can get more works from established publishers. My question is, does anyone here ever tried or currently also promote work on that website? if so, is it worth it? and if not, do you have recommendations of any portal or website to promote illustrator and which is work for you?
I hope my question is appropriate and not confusing
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Hi there,
I was a member of that website for about 5 years when I was with my last agent (you had to be a member as part of them representing you for some reason) and to be honest, I didn't really get any work from it. BUT, I think my last agency wasn't that great so maybe that was the reason instead, or no one liked my style at that time? That's only my personal experience anyway.
Maybe it's worth signing up for a year if you can afford it and see what happens as I imagine it is a great website to help promote yourself as it's very established and well known to MANY agencies and publishers, so there's no harm in being a member
I'm sooo surprised you haven't hear back as your work is amazing!
It has so much character and your imagination is great! How long ago did you send agents your work? It can take them months if they're well known as I imagine they get submissions all the time. Maybe think about sending some postcards aswell as another email with your website? Just to remind them that you're still there 
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I got my first two self published picture books from that site. Two authors found me there and we created a contract. The books now sell on Amazon. When my agent found my work through twitter I stopped being a member of that site. And just keep putting your work out there especially on social media, someone will see it and want to work with you-And by the way your website is awesome. Good Luck!
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Just saying, your website and instagram are so awesome! Great consistent style
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@lenwen Never used the site, but love love love your work and I am with everyone whose shocked you are having trouble finding an agent. Don't give up!
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@hannahmccaffery Hi Hannah, thank you for your reply! it's nice to know from your personal experience.
maybe I should really give a shot to that website.Thank you for your kind words about my work! I really appreciate that. I tried to send my works last year by email to some agents but all I got is rejections so I didn't try this year. One agent contacted me last year (which I didn't send submission) but after they showed my work to some art directors in publishers they said my work is too commercial for trade book publishers so they won't take me after all :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat:
I feel a bit depressed so I didn't try anymore afterward, that's why I am considering that showcase website
thanks for your input btw
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@lmrush that's nice! so the site work for you. Thanks for your kind words!
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@NelsonYiap that's very kind of you! thank you very much!
@Heather-Boyd aww! that's nice of you. I also would like to know what's wrong with my works (maybe a lot just I didn't realize it, LOL)..one agent said it's too commercial, so maybe my style is not fit for the publishers. Thank you very much anyway!
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I don’t see commercial at all lols
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@lenwen , I’m on there, I have not gotten work yet. As far as agents, they should get back to you, if they don’t it’s unprofessional on their part. It’s a hard business.
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I've heard really good things about it but never got around to joining. A friend of mine has joined recently after their agent retired and has been kept busy. He has a really strong and recognisable style though. It would be really interesting to hear what you decide.
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Hi. I just want to pop in to say that I really enjoys your work, both the way you make your marks, and your way of telling stories. I do understand it is very frustration to get rejections. But I remembered something Lee often says "failing forward." I think of a rejection does not mean there is something wrong with your art work, only means that you just found an agency that does not match with you.
It is also frustrating to hear feedback such as "too commercial". - I do not even know what does that suppose to mean. But maybe you can try to fish for more constructive feedback, by asking follow up questions. If one person says something about your work, and if you do not feel the same way, don't listen; But if anyone says something about your work, listen to it, and try to understand what they are really saying. Good luck!
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@Heather-Boyd I don't understand either
thank you for your kindness
@SusanMiller thanks for sharing your experience! I am so sorry to hear that, I hope you can get work soon fingers crossed
@SundayGirl76 that's interesting to know a success story from your friend. I think his strong and recognizable style must be so helpful. Thanks for sharing!
@xin-li thank you so much for your encouraging words! that means a lot! Yes, I've tried to change my style a little bit after I got that feedback actually. And it didn't only give negative feelings after all because I do feel more comfortable with my style now. Thank you again
