Hi! I'm A.M. Chamblee, an independent author writing dark MM romance and queer literary thrillers. I'm looking for an emerging illustrator with a distinctive, polished manga/manhua-inspired style to collaborate with on my debut novel, Something Safe, and potentially future books. I'm particularly drawn to the expressive character designs, elegant linework, dramatic compositions, and emotional intensity found in illustrated danmei novels. I'm looking for artwork that captures not just how beautiful the characters are, but their personalities, relationships, and sometimes darker sides. Project Details Project: Something Safe, a dark literary thriller with queer romance. Budget: Up to $700 USD total, including commercial publishing rights. Quantity: Five full-page black-and-white interior illustrations. Content: Three narrative/dramatic scenes and two intimate or suggestive MM scenes. No visible genitalia. Style: Detailed, polished manga/manhua-inspired linework with expressive faces, dynamic posing, and strong character consistency. Media: Digital illustrations for a commercially published novel. Format: Print-ready, high-resolution artwork at 300 DPI, with final dimensions and bleed specifications confirmed before production. Usage: Commercial paperback and ebook publication. I'm seeking a publishing license, not full copyright transfer. Timeline: Ideally completed by February 2027 for a planned March 2027 release. What I'm Looking For I want an artist who can make characters feel alive. Facial expressions, body language, and personality are especially important to me. The illustrations will depict actual scenes from the novel, so the ability to translate written descriptions into compelling compositions is essential. I'd also like to establish and approve the main characters' visual designs before proceeding with the full illustrations. A clear sketch approval and revision process is important. Potential Long-Term Collaboration I'm building A.M. Chamblee as an author brand, and interior illustrations are something I intend to incorporate into future novels, including my next project, Hoodies and Murder. I'd love to find an emerging artist who's interested in growing alongside an independent author and developing a recognizable visual style across multiple books. This is a paid commission opportunity, not a request for free artwork or exposure. Future projects would be commissioned and negotiated separately. How to Apply Please share: Your portfolio, especially examples of male characters and black-and-white illustrations. Your rates and whether my budget is workable for the proposed scope. Your experience with or willingness to illustrate romantic and suggestive MM scenes. Your availability and estimated turnaround time. Whether you offer commercial publishing licenses. I'm currently reviewing portfolios and preparing for the project, so I'm not requesting immediate work. Thank you for your interest! A.M. Chamblee   submitted by   /u/AMChamblee [link]   [comments]