Contacting Art Directors
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Hi everyone, I'm just in the process of putting together a spreadsheet of AD's at various Publishers before sending out some postcards. I'd already been warned that it's very difficult to find the contact details of some ADs and indeed it is...I'm just wondering what you do if you can't find the name of the AD anywhere on the internet? Is there another person it's ok to send it to or is it ok to send it addressed to no-one in particular? Thanks for any help!
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Most publishers have info on how to submit work on their website. Sometimes "ATTN: Acquisitions" or "Art Department" or something. Or sometimes you can just label it as an illustration submission or put "Art Director" and it will probably get to the right person.
Just try to find names where you can! You can usually Google "Publisher name art director" and some names might come up that you can fact check with Linked In. Hope that helps!
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From what I hear, Art Directors also change quite frequently in the publishing industry so if you aren't 100% sure that the art director still works at a particular publishing house it might be safer to address it as 'Art Director' of 'Art Department' like Melanie said. If instructions aren't posted on their website you could always try emailing through their contact form to ask where to send art samples. Can't hurt!
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Also many big publishers have lots of small imprints with different art directors so it doesn't hurt to send to specific imprints or art directors if you know their name (even at the same publisher and address)
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Linked In and Twitter are my go to's for finding art directors. I keep a spreadsheet of AD's names, emails, company, the last time I contacted them etc and just add to it when I stumble across someone new. Of course it's important to check that they're still at the same company before I send any new emails or mailers out as they tend to hop around a lot
Instagram and Twitter: @eriberart
Website: www.erinmcclean.com -
@Melanie-Ortins Thanks for that
I was thinking of just putting Art Director but I heard on various podcasts that some ADs really don't like this but if you can't find their name... -
@Mary-Toth thanks that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of emailing to find out!
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@eriberart Thank you Erin, I've started a spreadsheet too but didn't think it was going to be so hard! I've been using Linked In but haven't really looked at Twitter yet, I'll do that. What do you do if you can't find a person's name at all?
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@Rachel-Horne I might just put 'Art department', however I'm less likely to send out a mailer in the post if I don't know the ADs name. Have you read the Children's Writers and Artists Yearbook? They release a new one each year and there is contact details for lots of publishers and agents in the back of it and you might find some names there. I have the 2017 one and it was helpful, though I probably should get the updated version!
I follow lots of editors and ADs on Twitter as I like to stay informed, and sometimes they will put out calls for artists on twitter. Once you find one, Twitter often recommends similar accounts to follow so you can find people that way!
Instagram and Twitter: @eriberart
Website: www.erinmcclean.com -
@eriberart Ah thanks so much, that's brilliant. Funny enough I do have to Writers and Artists Yearbook, not the children's one but I think they have a section in there for kids, don't know why I never thought to check it out! Thanks for reminding me.
I'm not super active on Twitter, maybe now's the time!
