kidbookpros

SCBWI France

Meet the Pros

SCBWI France publishes interviews both in the SCBWI France Expression newsletter and on-line. These interviews offer an insider's view of the international children’s publishing market.

Régine Lilensten

Created in December 1999 as a non profit organization, the Maison des Illustrateurs could be defined as a resource, information and promotional center for children’s book illustrators. After 30 years of experience as a children’s book editor, in particular as the founder and director of the publishing house Sorbier up until 1998, Régine Lilensten has launched an organization dedicated to "young" illustrators - of any age – starting out or published, in order to facilitate the link between the artists and their markets, especially in publishing.

This new organization completes the existing ones such as the Union Nationale des Peintres et Illustrateurs, la Charte, l’Institut Perrault or the independant gallery Art à la Page. The goal of this organization is to give continuity to illustrators who are essentially left to fend for themselves and must navigate unguided in the maze of publishing.

There are already important reoccurring events such as the Salon de Montreuil or Bologne but they only take place once a year. Generally speaking, illustrators must face and surmount an unfavorable atmosphere at these fairs where publishers are overbooked with meetings or where illustrators obtain short meetings with no real engagement. The Maison des Illustrateurs will be a place where meetings between publishers, illustrators, librarians and educators can initiate an artistic effervescence continually. How? First, through regular exhibits of member illustrators directed towards publishers, libraries and schools thus creating more visibility. Second, through making available a data bank of member illustrators and their personal file to interested parties.

A bit of advice for those starting out? It’s important to look at all the possible outlets for the art work and not only publishing houses. There is also advertising and organizations linked to or working with children and their activities. Start in your region and not necessarily in Paris. There are dynamic regions that could give an artist a boost and some valuable experience. Consider meetings with the public (children) as a way to transmit appreciation and "reading" skills for images as well as the chance to break the isolation of the creator.

Perhaps the creative isolation will be a bit easier to handle for the 100 current members of the Maison des Illustrateurs and the hundreds of talented artists across France since these encounters, exhibits and information sources will allow them to find the right link – wherever it may lead them professionally.

Pat Danahey Janin

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