Commissioning your custom pet book: what to expect from start to finish

Every pet has their own story to tell. And, as pawrents, we know how precious and fleeting time with our pets is (sometimes it’s hard not to obsess over it!).

A personal pet book can be the ideal way to treasure all the quirks of your pet’s character. Here’s what to consider when you’re looking to buy.

How customised is custom?

For me, you and your pet’s wonderful relationship is entirely unique. I think a book celebrating your pet should explore that uniqueness and be tailored entirely to your experience.

Not all pet book services offer the same level of customisation, so be sure to check what's on offer.

Some services use set texts and standardised images and customise the names; some use AI to generate personalised images but use standard texts.

If you want something truly original, look out for author-illustrators, like me at Snow Fox Arts, who create individual hand-drawn illustrations and unique stories inspired by moments you share.

What’s your vibe?

When you want to commission something so personal, it’s important to find someone who suits your style.

The best writers will be able to tailor their words to suit you. Perhaps you want a heartfelt story about friendship, or a humorous tale about your pet’s character. You might love a poem, or be a stickler for prose. Make sure to check out past works written by the author, so that you have a sense of their range.

Getting started

Once you’ve found your ideal author-illustrator, it can be daunting to know where to begin. Your author-illustrator should take you through the process, step by step.

I have a simple form to get you thinking about your pet, with plenty of space for you to add ideas and musings. As we all love to talk about our furry best friends, I often find that this is more than enough inspiration to get started on your story!

Some of my clients like to get in touch with more information by email, and that is totally fine. I like to have as much detail as possible before I start work, so I can make something just right for you.

An important thing to consider is the style of book you’d like. You might be happy for your author to take the lead (most creatives will love that challenge!). But if you really want a poem, or have a hankering for a book in the style of the Grufalo for your grandkids, let your author know so they can match the style you’d like.

After all, this commission is yours and it needs to be right for you.

Be ready for the quiet phase

There is a point during all commissioned work when everything goes a bit quiet. This is the ‘messy middle’ when your commission is in progress but isn’t ready to share.

My books usually take around two to three weeks to put together. For me, the words and illustrations are of equal importance and only make sense on the page when seen next to each other. To avoid worry or confusion about the final book, I don't share images or text until the full proof is ready.

The proofing stage

If you commission me, I’ll share a full colour proof of your story for checking.

At this stage you can mention anything that doesn’t feel quite right and I’ll tweak the illustrations or the words for you. You might go through two or even three proofs before you are happy to go ahead.

When you are totally happy with the story, illustrations and layout, it’s time to look at the details. Make sure your last check covers spellings, dates and any tiny errors that might have crept in.

I, like all artists, check my work carefully, but human errors will creep in! Changes can’t be made after the book goes to print, so it’s much better to check it over carefully now.

Printing

Now it’s time to print! Custom printing is a complex process, and can take between 5 and 10 working days to complete.

This is the most nerve wracking part of any commission for me, because the real glow of a custom book only comes when you open it for the first time in real life. (You might get a little email from me making sure it has arrived safely!)

If you are thinking of starting your own story and would like to commission me, why not contact me for a chat.