I am an author-illustrator seeking representation for my picture book Author vs. Illustrator, which will appeal to fans of Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett and Adam Rex.

Most picture books are a collaboration, with the author and illustrator playing off each other’s strengths like jazz musicians. Great jazz can sound like a musical argument, which begs the question what if an author and an illustrator want to take the same book in opposite directions? Told in a series of letters, Author vs. Illustratorchronicles Author’s attempts to write a realistic story about a piano player, and Illustrator’s attempts to make the story more exciting by adding increasingly wacky pictures.

My writing is informed by nine years of direct experience working with children and books as an elementary school librarian. I am a member of SCBWI and participate in a monthly critique group. Additional art samples can be viewed at www.melissatisonart.com

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Dear Illustrator,

The story is about Fred. Fred plays piano.

Kind regards,

Author

Hey Author –

I drew your musician, but the story fell a little flat.

I think it needs an elephant.

Dear Illustrator,

Elephants are large, grey mammals that live in Africa and Asia. Elephants do not appear in my text.