Book & Literature Illustration

A cover that opens a door. Interior artwork that gives the words another dimension.

Commission literary illustration by Adelya for a book, a cover or a carefully chosen sequence of images. The visual direction begins with the text, its atmosphere and the reader—not a generic picture of the genre.

Discuss your book illustrationExplore the cover artwork

10+ years of illustration · 350+ clients worldwide · cover art for the BornWild Versus graphic novel · What each package includes

Graphic novel cover illustration with a large gold V, symbolic animal collage, purple line art details, and ornate decorative border on light background.
BornWild Versus
Graphic-novel cover artwork from Adelya's portfolio.

It can introduce the world.
Or wait quietly inside it.

Laboratory of rubbing apples, finished cover
Laboratory of rubbing apples, finished cover

Book-cover illustration

A single image that establishes character, mood or an idea central to the book. The composition needs to work with the title and author name, as well as the practical dimensions of the cover.

A detail from The five
A detail from The five

Literary interior artwork

Illustrations for a novel, poetry collection, short story or other publication can punctuate the reading experience. A full scene, a chapter-opening image and a small recurring motif each offer a different rhythm.

Taurus girl, colour
Taurus girl, colour

Characters & narrative worlds

Character-led and graphic-novel projects can begin with a defined cover or a small set of illustrations. Longer sequential work needs a separate discussion of the script, panel count, visual continuity and production capacity.

Black-and-white graphic novel cover illustration with ornate frame, large V shape, and symbolic animal collage filled with detailed line art icons.
BornWild Versus / line work
The cover composition in its black-and-white treatment.

A cast of characters.
One composition.

The BornWild Versus cover brings several figures into a shared image. The line-work and colored treatments let you compare the underlying drawing with the decisions that give the finished illustration its weight and atmosphere.

A different book might ask for one object, a place or a less literal visual metaphor. The point is to find an image that feels specific to the text and still leaves the reader something to discover.

When sending a brief, distinguish the story details that must be accurate from the parts open to interpretation. A synopsis, a passage and a few carefully chosen references are often more useful than a long list of unrelated cover examples.

Open the full project

For a younger audience?

Picture books and educational projects have a dedicated service page, with more attention to recurring characters, page turns and the relationship between images and short passages of text.

For a children’s manuscript, explore that route and share the intended age group. For line-art activity publications, coloring-book illustration has its own process and production questions.

Children’s book illustration
Coloring books & activity artwork

For a magazine feature or an article rather than a book, see editorial illustration.

Aduk book whale
A different kind of book
Whale illustration / an example from the children's publishing work.

Agree the artwork.
Then agree its place in the book.

The first idea, in a sketchbook
The first idea, in a sketchbook

The illustration brief

Specify the text, audience, number of images, expected level of detail and whether the work is for a cover or interior. Include relevant character descriptions and anything the image must not reveal.

The line drawing
The line drawing

The production brief

Provide dimensions, bleed, text areas and the printer or publisher’s required exports. Full cover layout, spine design, typesetting and final print proofing are separate tasks unless included in the order.

The finished colour
The finished colour

The publishing rights

Describe print and digital editions, languages, territories and promotional use. Future editions, exclusive rights and merchandise can be discussed; they should not be assumed to be covered by a basic illustration commission.

A shared direction
before the final details.

Kingdom of autumn leaves, pencil sketch
Kingdom of autumn leaves, pencil sketch

1. Read & define

Review the manuscript material and the role of the illustrations. Agree scope, price, rights, schedule and the person responsible for approving the work.

Kingdom of autumn leaves, colour stage
Kingdom of autumn leaves, colour stage

2. Explore & sketch

Establish the visual direction and review the agreed compositions. Resolve character, scene and text-placement decisions while the work is still in the sketch stage.

Kingdom of autumn leaves, finished cover
Kingdom of autumn leaves, finished cover

3. Develop & hand off

Complete the approved artwork, review at the agreed checkpoints and prepare the specified files. Additional crops, promotional materials or revisions to a changed manuscript can be scoped separately.

Read the full process · Plan the illustration budget

A cover, the chapters,
or both.

For novels, poetry and non-fiction. Print and ebook rights are included in every package.

The five, cover in gold on black
The five, cover in gold on black

Cover art

€250

Front cover illustration sized for your printer, with room for the title.

Scope
Front cover
Typography
Space left for it
Rights
Print, ebook and promotion
Ready in
2–3 weeks
Revisions
2 sketch, 1 colour
Choose this package
Panther, a detail from The five
Panther, a detail from The five

Chapter illustrations

€480

Ten black-and-white illustrations for chapter openings or inside pages.

Scope
10 interior pieces
Style
Line or tone
Rights
Print, ebook and promotion
Ready in
3–4 weeks
Revisions
2 sketch, 1 colour
Choose this package
Hand, apple and snake, digital
Hand, apple and snake, digital

Cover and interior

from €950

The full cover wrap and up to fifteen interior illustrations.

Scope
Wrap + up to 15 pieces
Typography
Title lettering included
Rights
Print, ebook and promotion
Ready in
6–8 weeks
Revisions
2 sketch, 1 colour
Choose this package

Add to any package

Add them on your order page once you have chosen a package.

The V, line art
The V, line art
Back cover and spine
+€150
Hand-lettered title
+€120
Faster delivery, when the schedule allows
+40%

Half is paid to start and half when you approve the final. If the sketch still isn’t right after the included revisions, your deposit comes back. Not sure which package fits? Send the brief and Adelya will suggest one.

In their words.

Midnight sun
Midnight sun

I am very pleased with Adelyaart's work, my illustrations turned out beautifully. Her English is excellent, which allowed for great communication. She is meticulous in her work. Whenever there are changes to be made to the illustrations, she does them quickly and nicely. In short, she is a delight to work with, and I highly recommend her.

rachou · Line illustrations · Fiverr

Excellent work from Adelya. Went beyond expectation. Thorough communication all along the project. Would recommend without hesitation.

axelge · Line art · Fiverr

I love working with her, it will not be my last time for sure, thanks for making my vision come to reality

aliamohammed421 · Portrait sketch · Fiverr

Read all testimonials

Before the commission.

Can I commission only a cover illustration?

Yes, a cover can be scoped as a standalone project. Explain whether you need artwork alone or additional design work such as typography, a complete wraparound layout or promotional adaptations.

Do you work with self-publishing authors?

Share your project and publishing plan for review. A clear brief, production specifications and one point of contact help establish a workable process, whether you are an independent author or part of a publishing team.

Can you illustrate a full graphic novel?

A cover commission does not establish the scope of a complete sequential book. Send the script, anticipated page and panel count, visual references and schedule so suitability and capacity can be assessed before any commitment.

What affects the price?

The number of images, complexity, character development, print requirements, review stages and licence all matter. A single cover and a coordinated series of interior scenes are quoted differently.

Will I own the copyright?

The commissioned use is defined in writing. Under the site’s general terms, copyright remains with the artist unless a separate transfer is agreed. Explain any exclusivity or broader rights you require before ordering.

What should I send first?

A synopsis, a representative passage, the intended reader, planned formats and approximate scope. Include your timeline, budget range and any existing cover or interior design specifications. See the current terms for the general commissioning framework.

The V in purple ornament
The V in purple ornament

Put this direction into a useful brief.

Bring a relevant portfolio example and describe what you like about it: the handling of colour, the expression, the texture or the composition. Then describe your own subject and where the artwork will appear. The reference starts the discussion; the new work is developed for your particular purpose.

Build a short project brief · Ask about using an existing artwork

What kind of world
have you written?

Send a synopsis and tell Adelya where illustration belongs in your publication.

Start a book illustration briefEmail Adelya
Book a project pre-callPrefer to talk it through? Choose a time with Adelya.