Thread: Should I put some illustration in my novel?

I'm writing an action/sci-fi novel and I know a guy who can draw some pictures for me. My question is: is it ok to put like 5-6 illustrations in a 50,000 novel? Is there any general rule about this one?

if you're submitting it to an agent as a general rule you should NOT submit illustrations with the initial manuscript. the only exceptions are graphic novels. if you really want illustrations and feel they're good enough to be in the published work (assuming it gets that far), then mention you have them in your cover letter to the agent. if they like the book and want to see the illustrations they'll ask for them later. but don't submit them with the work. its almost certainly a bad idea.

of course, if you're self-publishing then you can pretty much do what you want...