My First Book Illustration Experience: Working with Quebec Author Amanda L. Petrin

Sometimes, the right collaboration can open up new possibilities you never thought possible. For me, working with Amanda L. Petrin, a talented Quebec-based author, was exactly that, a transformative experience that inspired me to dive headfirst into the world of book illustration. In this blog, I’ll share how my first project with Amanda ignited a passion for illustrating books and how our collaboration on her special edition Kickstarter project has been a game-changer.

Who is Amanda L. Petrin?

Amanda is a Quebec author with a growing collection of compelling, emotional stories rooted in connection, self-discovery, and a touch of the otherworldly. Her trilogy The Owen’s Chronicles is packed with character-driven moments and layered worldbuilding. I’ve always appreciated storytelling that carries weight and warmth, and Amanda does both with ease.

We first crossed paths three years ago at ComicCon, where we connected over our shared creative energy. Fast forward to now, and we've wrapped not one, but three illustration projects together, both centered around her engaging fantasy series.

How Our Collaboration Got Started

When Amanda reached out about her special edition Kickstarter for The Owen’s Chronicles, I was both excited and a little nervous. I hadn’t illustrated a full book project before, but I was curious and ready to try. Her stories clicked with me right away, and I was eager to find visual ways to support and amplify the emotional tones she had already so beautifully written.

This was the kind of project that challenged me to grow while still feeling creatively fulfilling.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Amanda gave me space to explore while also being super clear about what mattered to her in the visuals. We had open, back-and-forth conversations that made the process smooth and enjoyable. Her trust gave me the freedom to dig into the atmosphere, the characters, and the heart of her work.

Creating artwork for a special edition also added a fun layer to the process, there’s something satisfying about knowing the illustrations will live inside a collector’s version of a story that already means a lot to its readers.

Illustrating First Life, Second Chance—and What’s Next

After the success of The Owen’s Chronicles Kickstarter, Amanda invited me back to illustrate First Life, part of The Gifted Series, which builds on the universe we had already explored. It was an exciting opportunity to expand on what we’d created together, pushing deeper into new settings, emotions, and character arcs.

Then came Second Chance, our third project together and a continuation of that same magical world. Each round has been an invitation to explore different moods and layers of Amanda’s storytelling, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to keep building visual bridges between her words and the reader’s imagination.

Now, we’re diving into something brand new: a completely fresh series that Amanda is currently developing. I’m in the process of reading her beta manuscript so I can get a deep understanding of the story’s tone and energy, something I find essential when working on book covers. This early insight lets me think about the right kind of visual language to reflect the soul of the series before a single sketch is made.

This continued collaboration has turned into something really meaningful to me, creatively and professionally. Each book builds on the last, and the trust we've developed over time allows for a really natural flow in how we work together.

What This Taught Me About Book Illustration

Working on these books has shown me how powerful it can be to mix words and images intentionally. There’s a kind of storytelling that illustration unlocks, something that goes beyond decorating the page and instead helps expand the emotional core of a story.

I didn’t know how much I’d enjoy this kind of work until I tried it. Now, it’s something I hope to keep doing. If you're a writer thinking about working with an illustrator, or an artist thinking about branching out into books—I can say with full confidence: it’s worth exploring.

I’m genuinely grateful that Amanda took a chance on me from the very beginning. That first project could’ve been a one-time thing, but instead, it’s grown into an ongoing creative partnership that continues to challenge and inspire me in the best ways. Being trusted to help bring her stories to life has been a gift, and I’m excited to keep exploring where this path leads us next.

If you’re curious about Amanda’s work and want to dive into the worlds she’s created, you can check out her books and more on her website: amandalynnpetrin.com. Whether you’re into emotional storytelling, supernatural twists, or strong character arcs, there’s a good chance you’ll find something that resonates.

Happy reading!