17+ Best Young Adult Book Illustrators for Hire in the United States

Charles

Seattle, WA, USA

Illustrator - Charlie believes in a future where somehow, against all odds, we make it. Tell me a story, let’s bring it to life. 🚫No AI🚫

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Gaming & LitRPG, LGBTQ Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult Fantasy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Coyote & Crow

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Sam

Monrovia, CA, USA

Book cover artist and illustrator specializing in fantasy, LitRPG, romance, and character-driven fiction.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Gaming & LitRPG, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, and Contemporary Romance.

Work experience:

Podium Entertainment
Rogue Matter Inc.

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Beverly

Pasadena, CA, USA

I'm an California-based illustrator specializing in character design of humans, animals, and magical creatures.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Picture Books, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Self-employed
Hachette Publishing

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Caitlin

New York, NY, USA

Hello! I'm an illustrator, designer, and author with 20+ years of publishing experience, including self-publishing.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Home & Garden, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and DIY & Crafts.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Brittany

Seattle, WA, USA

Illustrator for adult and YA fantasy and speculative fiction with 5 years experience working in freelance illustration and character design

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Steampunk, New Adult, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, and Action & Adventure.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Rafael

Mesa, AZ, USA

I am a professional designer, art director, and illustrator who loves books—working with publishers in Europe, USA, Asia, and indie authors.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Mystery & Crime, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

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Tanya

Stephenson, Virginia, USA

Freelance illustrator with a focus on creating whimsical narrative-based illustrations. 10+ years experience using various styles.

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Magical Realism, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Taylor

Seattle, WA, USA

Always open to hearing about new projects! I illustrate children's books and design covers, and I love to work in all genres.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, Design, Non-Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult, Education & Reference, and LGBTQ Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
House Special

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Jillian

Canton, CT, USA

Digital illustrator specializing in hand lettering, patterns, and bright, bold, colorful designs

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, Home & Garden, Non-Fiction, and Nature.

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Clint

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Art director and designer since 2007 creating bold, story-driven visuals with a strong background in the music industry.

Genres: Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery & Crime, Young Adult, Dark Romance, Romance, True Crime, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Sarah

Chicago, IL, USA

Professional artist and designer specializing in portraiture. Let me bring your stories to life!

Genres: Holiday, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, LGBTQ Fiction, Young Adult, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-Employed

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Gillian

Oakland, CA, USA

I'm an illustrator from California specializing in vibrant pictures with a hand-drawn feel for YA, children's, self-help, and biographies.

Genres: Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Young Adult, Calendars, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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J.E.

Minneapolis, MN, USA

Pen & ink illustrator, with a penchant for dark, spooky themes, whodunnit mysteries, and gothic nonsense.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

Boyd's Mills & Kane/Highlights Magazine
Bad Hand Books
Self-employed

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Caitlin B.

Manitou Springs, CO, USA

Illustrator/designer with a love of color, texture & hand-lettering. Characters. Cover design + picture books. Collaboration + communication

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Women's Fiction, Science Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Josh

Columbus, OH, USA

Illustrator for MG and YA publishing with a passion for captivating characters and emotionally driven narrative storytelling.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Short Story, Young Adult, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Elevate Pictures
Pawn Creative
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Llewellyn Publishing

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Candice

Iowa City, IA, United States

Award-winning illustrator with hand-crafted cover design. I read your book and provide the marketing assets you need to stand out! No genAI.

Genres: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Bovard Studio, Inc.

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Jack

Atlanta, GA, USA

Professional illustrator (17+ yrs) specializing in book covers, games & concept art. History editor at Dragon's Armory. At the helm & ready.

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Comics & Graphic Novels, Comics Non-Fiction, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience: