Can you make an illustrated book for adults?

[Princezz]

I didn't know the right place to ask this, so you can move this thread if this is the wrong place.

I want to write stories but I'm more of a visual person who imagines reading a book as scenes from a film, as a forum member here described. I don't think I could pull off making comics, it's too much time and effort, so I thought maybe I could write books with lots of pictures in instead. Problem is, my stories may contain inappropriate language and violence, and I don't want people thinking it's for kids just because it has pictures.

So I want to know if it's possible to make a book that his illustrations, but is not for kids.

 

[The Phantom]

I do hope so; I love writing and illustrating, and while I'm young, in the future I would like to be able to have illustrations in my books if I got one published. One of my WIP's is very visual, and I imagine like a movie, so I hope to have some illustrations in there (even though it's aimed more at teens). And like you, I want to make an illustrated book, that's still meant for older audiences.

Honestly, I would say go for it. I think since it's so rare (but still wanted by some) I think you could really get the recognition you wanted. Just make sure it's clearly marketed as not for kids. My parents got me a book called 'How to tell if your cat is plotting to kill you' and I thought it was a kid.teen book but it has adult humour and such. However, I really loved it, and the author writes adult comics/ illustrations. It was successful, and a lot of people loved it, so I say you should try it out. Just make srue the cover and title isn't too juvenile (unless your going for irony) so parents know not to buy it for their kid if they don't find it suitable. Honestly, a mature enough title is enough to ward off a bunch of parents lol. But yeah, go for it!

 

[King_Oni]

Why couldn't you?

As a comicbook reader; there are plenty of "adult" comics not suitable for children.

Besides; who says you couldn't? There's no rule that "adult" books have to be all about words on paper, rather than illustrations.

 

[Wireless]

It's a good idea.
It's like how colouring books for adults are currently popular. Colouring used to be thought of as just for children.

 

[Princezz]

Well, I wouldn't want anything explicit in the title or on the cover, but I could include a note at the beginning to warn people. In fact, what I have in mind isn't even that bad, a teenager could read it, there'll only be mild language, but there will still be violence and scary things that might not be suitable for younger people.

 

[The Phantom]

Yeah, I didn't mean an explicit title lol, but just something that would signify it's not meant for younger kids. But you say that teens could read it, then I'm sure you won't have to do much to ward off unsuitable audiences. Just make the cover dark and stuff haha.

It's a good idea.
It's like how colouring books for adults are currently popular. Colouring used to be thought of as just for children.

Adult coloring books? Man, I need that. Well I'm not an adult but that's good to know in the future I can still color LOL.

 

[AsheSkyler]

One of my favorite trilogies had a picture at the start of every chapter. Mostly character portraits, but it was rather nice.

 

[IContainMultitudes]

You could try making a book kind of like these, they aren't exactly comics (although I would make an argument that they are based on Scott McCloud's definition of the word "comics", something more like "sequential art" might be a better fit), but definitely aren't picture books for children either: http://www.loa.org/volume.jsp?RequestID=337

 

[BlueConundrum]

You absolutely can. Don't worry, there are plenty of ways to make it clear that your books are for more mature audiences.

Books for adults (or at least not for kids) with illustrations that I can think of are Cruddy by Lynda Barry (it's not a comic book or graphic novel -- it's just an illustrated novel, but it's not a kids' book and deals with "adult" topics) and Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (totally different genre, but also illustrated and not for kids).

I'm sure I could think of more.

 

[Maelstrom]

I didn't know the right place to ask this, so you can move this thread if this is the wrong place.

I want to write stories but I'm more of a visual person who imagines reading a book as scenes from a film, as a forum member here described. I don't think I could pull off making comics, it's too much time and effort, so I thought maybe I could write books with lots of pictures in instead. Problem is, my stories may contain inappropriate language and violence, and I don't want people thinking it's for kids just because it has pictures.

So I want to know if it's possible to make a book that his illustrations, but is not for kids.

Yes Princezz , they are called graphic novels, I have some nice ones, the name is unfortunate, when I told my father a minister making them was my dream profession, I think he assumed the word graphic meant porn not comic books. Anyways he fought me tooth and nail under the table on that profession for years. So now I'm reduced to choosing between maybe starving to death or maybe getting payed to make everyone glow in the dark. Yeah! that worked out real good for everyone, that is so much nicer than doing a few extra big comic books. (sarcasm)

Anyways if I were you I would get a large erasable marker board, or one of those giant note pads for meetings, so you can storyboard your chapter outlines with rough pictures.

And maybe you should do a little online research on how much they scale down illustrations during printing, if lines and details are too small they can disappear during printing. Other than that, have fun, and learn to draw fast possibly with photo blue pencil so you can re-ink the same drawing later, it takes allot of illustrations to make one book.

Good luck Princezz, Mael