Perform an Internet search for publishing companies that provide illustration services. These companies strive to pair authors with illustrators during the publishing process.
Send your work to the publishing company. Different companies will have different submission guidelines, so carefully study these rules. You can send visual references with your work if the company permits illustration suggestions; however, never insist your visuals be included in the final product. If the company doesn’t like the visuals, they may reject your entire manuscript.
Wait for a letter of acceptance or rejection. Due to the competitiveness of the publishing field, don’t expect to receive immediate acceptance. If rejected, remain persistent and send your manuscript to another company. If you're accepted, the publisher will also give you information on its suggested illustrator.
Examine the portfolio of the illustrator assigned to the project. If you don’t like the work of the chosen illustrator, you may decline the offer; however, this may hurt your chances of being published.
Retain the illustrator’s contact information in case future projects arise. If the same company publishes another one of your works in the future, you may be able to request the same illustrator.