30 Books, 30 Lessons: What I’ve Learned as a Children’s Book Illustrator

Part 2: Growing Your Career and Staying Inspired

Hello wonderful people! How are we all doing now we’re finally through January?! Have you been up to anything nice? Been watching any good series on TV? Reading any great books so far? I hope you’re finding little pockets of happiness in each day.

For me, February has felt a lot slower than January did. Which seems quite bizarre—seeing as it’s the second month in! It kind of feels like a non-month. I’m searching for the vibrance and energy I found in January, but it’s harder to grasp onto this time for whatever reason. Let’s hope things pick up energy-wise soon! We’re all yearning for the warm, fuzzy, buzz of Spring, and I suppose these slow and grey months make us appreciate those sunny months so much more.

I hope you all thoroughly enjoyed my last paid post, offering 30 lessons to celebrate 30 of my illustrated, published books. I received some wonderful feedback from my paid subscribers, and it reminds me of what a rewarding opportunity it is for me to be able to help those who are searching for any guidance! If you're ready to jump back into the second instalment of this series, keep reading—it's absolutely packed with my personal experiences and insights from the past few years! If you haven't already, be sure to check out the first post for even more inspiring takeaways (linked below).

Read Part 1 here!

As we go, I’ve also included visuals of each book I’ve had the joy of illustrating—bringing this colourful journey to life along the way. I hope you find it interesting and pick up some useful lessons to carry into your own creative adventures. And if you're feeling a little sluggish and February-ish like me, I’m hoping my vibrant book covers will bring a bit of brightness to your day!

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Part 2: Growing Your Career and Staying Inspired

One Home, written by Hiba Nhoor Khan, published by Macmillan, 2022.

16. Rolling with the Punches: Staying Flexible with Shifting Deadlines

Challenge:
If you’re someone who needs organisation and loves a good, well-structured timeline, you might find it a little frustrating when deadlines shift unexpectedly! Publishers and clients often have their own moving parts—whether it’s delayed feedback, internal discussions, or unpredictable circumstances. Staying rigid isn’t always an option! I’ve definitely had moments where I thought I had plenty of time to work on things whilst juggling projects, only to have one schedule change and throw me off balance.

What helped:
To keep my workflow smooth (and my stress levels as steady as they can be!), I’ve learned to embrace a more flexible approach. A digital calendar has been a game-changer—being able to easily shift deadlines around without crossing out pen on a paper planner has saved me more times than I can count! Either myself or my agent will also make a habit of checking in with clients if their feedback is running late, politely nudging them for updates. And here’s a little tip: if their delay means you’ve lost precious work time, don’t be afraid to ask for an extension! It’s only fair to have the same amount of time to complete your best work.

Insights:
Timelines will change—it’s just part of the process. But instead of seeing it as an obstacle, try to view it as an opportunity to refine your approach. Staying adaptable means you’re always prepared, no matter what gets thrown your way. Keep communication open, keep on top of delays, and don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. After all, creating high-quality work takes time, and a little flexibility goes a long way in making sure you’re always working in the best way for all involved!

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