Do you think your portfolio is ready to be sent?
I’m so glad you’re here. Welcome!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re working on a portfolio that matters to you. Maybe you’ve just started illustrating. Maybe you’ve redesigned your portfolio more times than you’d like to admit. Or perhaps you’re simply curious about what happens once your portfolio lands on an editor’s desk.
I’m Greetje, and after more than fifteen years as an Acquiring Editor in children’s publishing, I’ve reviewed thousands of manuscripts and illustration portfolios. Over time, I realized something:
The illustrations that stay with me are the ones that know exactly why they were made.
This checklist is an invitation to look at your portfolio through an editor’s eyes and ask yourself one important question: is my portfolio truly ready to be submitted?
Use these questions to take one final, honest look at your illustrations before you send it out into the world.
Let’s begin.
Can you
describe your style in one sentence
If every illustration looks like it was made by a different person, your portfolio becomes harder to remember. Consistency makes your work recognizable.
1.
Does your portfolio
tell stories or show illustrations?
Editors are looking for visual storytellers. Every illustration should make us wonder what happened just before… and what happens next.
2.
Which illustration
feels most like you?
The one you could happily draw a hundred times and still enjoy it. That’s often where your voice begins. Start with that one.
3.
Can readers
understand the emotion?
Illustrations should communicate first. Words come second. A child should recognise fear, joy, curiosity or comfort before anyone explains it.
4.
Do all illustrations belong in the same portfolio?
A strong portfolio feels curated. Not every good drawing deserves a place. Choose the pieces that tell the same creative story.
5.
Which age group are you speaking to?
Picture books? First readers? Middle grade? The clearer your audience, the easier it becomes for an editor to imagine you illustrating a book.
6.
Are you showing enough variety?
Can you draw: characters, emotions, interiors, exteriors, different perspectives, action, quiet moments? A publisher wants to know you can carry an entire book.
7.
Can you handle
every emotion?
Take your favourite character and draw them with every emotion and from every perspective. A publisher isn’t just looking for one beautiful illustration.
8.
Could another illustrator have made this?
If the answer is yes… Ask yourself what only you can bring.
Your perspective is your greatest strength.
9.
10.
Does your portfolio feel like home?
Like YOU. Publishers don’t remember portfolios that follow the market. They remember portfolios that have a voice. YOUR voice.
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this checklist, it’s this:
Forget about ‘getting everything right’. There is no ‘wrong’ when creating from the heart. Illustrating a picture book, is about learning to ask better questions.
Every manuscript has room to grow.
Every illustration can become stronger.
And every creator develops one story at a time.
What we’re aiming for is clarity, not perfection.
When you truly understand what your story wants to say, every creative decision becomes easier.
Structure becomes clearer. Characters become more authentic. Illustrations become more intentional.
The strongest children’s books aren’t always the most original or the most beautiful exactly why they exist.
They leave a child feeling something long after the final page has been turned. Keep asking better questions. Keep trusting your story.
One final thought
And most importantly,keep creating.
Ready for the
next step?
If these questions have already given you new insights, imagine what we could discover together.
Every story is different, and so is the journey of bringing it to life. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful feedback or more personal guidance, choose the support that feels right for you, your story, and where you are right now.
Whatever your path,
there’s something here for you.
Professional Editorial Feedback
Receive a thoughtful written assessment of your manuscript or illustration portfolio, including practical suggestions, editorial insights, and clear next steps. Perfect if you prefer to work independently and revisit your feedback at your own pace. No pressure, your rhythm.
What’s included?
This session is designed for those who prefer clear, focused feedback without a live call.
You can send me your manuscript, illustration portfolio, or project, and I will take the time to review it carefully and thoughtfully. I approach your work with both a creative and editorial eye, looking at what is already working, where it can be strengthened, and how it can move forward.
All feedback is delivered in a written PDF, so you can return to it whenever you need.
My feedback includes:
the placement of your story within the current picture book landscape
your expected target audience
a comprehensive review of your work, focusing on how well your story connects to its intended reader, its impact, and originality
clear, actionable feedback on your writing or illustration style, structure, and pacing, with suggestions for refinement
honest insight into the commercial potential of your project
practical exercises to help you work on structural weaknesses and strengthen your storytelling skills
What happens next?
After your purchase, you’ll automatically receive an email with a link to a short submission form.
There, you can upload your manuscript, illustration portfolio, or project, and answer a few questions about your work and what you’re hoping to get from the feedback.
Once I’ve received everything, I’ll begin reviewing your project. You’ll receive your personalised written editorial assessment within 7 business days.
This option is ideal if you’re looking for professional, honest feedback and clear direction, while working independently and at your own pace. If you would prefer a more personal approach, with the opportunity to discuss your project together, you can choose the One-to-One Editorial Session instead.
What’s included?
Each feedback session starts with a 15-30 minute video call, where I get to know YOU.
Why are you writing or drawing? What drives you? Which message do you want to deliver? And why?
I want to know everything about your intention and true wish for this project to become. No worries, I will send you some questions upfront to think about, so you don’t feel overwhelmed at the moment. But watch and see how a deep dive into your intention will redirect the course of your work and start your creative flow at the same moment.
This sets the bar for the feedback that I will give you. This way, my feedback is not ‘just’ my opinion, but a clear roadmap of the direction you are looking for. (sometimes without even knowing before)
After the call, I will take the time to look at your project in a focused and thoughtful way. This is a moment for me to slow down and really understand what your story is doing, where it already works, and where it can be strengthened. In a written assessment, I will guide you through your project with both a creative and editorial eye, helping you see it more clearly and make more intentional choices as you move forward.
1. So, during the call, I will:
search for your true intentions behind what you do
understand the context this message is brought from
get you to clarify the core message you want to tell
get to know your expectations around your work
2. Afterwards, you’ll receive a written assessment of your manuscript or illustrations, including:
the placement of your story within the current picture book landscape
your expected target audience
a comprehensive review of your work, focusing on how well your story connects to its intended reader, its impact, and originality
clear, actionable feedback on your writing or illustration style, structure and pacing, with suggestions for refinement
honest insight into the commercial potential of your project
industry-specific guidance to help your work move closer to publication
a deeper understanding of how the publishing world works, from both a creative and editorial perspective
3. Finally, you can send me your revised manuscript or illustrations for one last review, so I can give you feedback on the changes you’ve made and help you make sure your project is ready for its next step.
What happens next?
After your purchase, you’ll automatically receive an email with everything you need to get started.
First, you’ll be able to schedule your One-to-One Editorial Session at a date and time that suits you best.
You’ll also receive a link to a short questionnaire where you can upload your manuscript, illustration portfolio, or project and answer a few questions about your work.
These questions help me understand not only what you’ve created, but also why you’ve created it, allowing us to make the most of our time together.
Once everything has been submitted, I’ll prepare for our session and look forward to meeting you.
Together, this process is designed to give you clarity in your story, direction for your next steps, and the confidence to move your work forward in a way that feels both true to you and aligned with the publishing world.
One-to-One Editorial Session
Start with a personal video call where we explore the intention behind your project before diving into your work. Together, we’ll uncover what your story truly wants to say, followed by a detailed written editorial assessment to guide your next steps.
Every great children’s book begins with a creator who was willing to keep asking questions. And if you made it till the end of this workbook, I’m sure yours will be next.