Thinking of adding a few illustrations to my novel—good idea or distracting? ?

[SevianMorric]

Hey everyone!

I’m writing a slow-burn political/historical novel set in modern London. It’s pretty text-heavy—lots of atmosphere, dialogue, and that “traditional novel” vibe.

Lately I’ve been wondering… should I sprinkle in a few visuals here and there? Like:

• a moody sketch of London at night,
• a character portrait (just enough to hint at their vibe, not a full anime style),
• or maybe a symbolic image, like an old concert poster or a map of the city.

Do you think stuff like that actually adds to the reading experience? Or does it break immersion for people who enjoy imagining everything themselves?

Also, if you’ve done it for your own story, did it help engagement? Or did readers just scroll past?

Curious to hear what you guys think! Would you enjoy a bit of visual flavor in between chapters, or do you prefer pure text?

 

[C.Details]

I've put random sketches in my story in side chapters or when i hit a milestone. Generally it gets more attention. i feel it gives my audience a chance to see what I'm imaging for my characters and creatures.

I've seen other authers here use either Ai, paid artists to do character and sometimes scenes or even drawn the art themselves. Some put the images at certain story beats to tie into the scene, others either put it at the end, .0 chapter at the beginning of your novel or in the glossy. Also some set it up in a spoiler tag. Some might not enjoy character art being over exaggerated like an impossible bust size while others love it as it shows a sort of progression of a character as they change or grow.

Even if some people hate it or dislike it, many of us are putting one in as our cover anyway. Personally tho, if it's something you want to do then go for it. People who like it will stay, some will just ignore it and someone might complain. But A, the novel is something for you first and B, you really can't please everyone.

 

[SevianMorric]

I've put random sketches in my story in side chapters or when i hit a milestone. Generally it gets more attention. i feel it gives my audience a chance to see what I'm imaging for my characters and creatures.

I've seen other authers here use either Ai, paid artists to do character and sometimes scenes or even drawn the art themselves. Some put the images at certain story beats to tie into the scene, others either put it at the end, .0 chapter at the beginning of your novel or in the glossy. Also some set it up in a spoiler tag. Some might not enjoy character art being over exaggerated like an impossible bust size while others love it as it shows a sort of progression of a character as they change or grow.

Even if some people hate it or dislike it, many of us are putting one in as our cover anyway. Personally tho, if it's something you want to do then go for it. People who like it will stay, some will just ignore it and someone might complain. But A, the novel is something for you first and B, you really can't please everyone.

Makes sense! I guess putting art at milestones or as bonus chapters might be the safest way to do it. I was worried it might break immersion, but yeah, you can’t please everyone. Maybe I’ll try a few simple scene sketches first and see how readers react. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I've put random sketches in my story in side chapters or when i hit a milestone. Generally it gets more attention. i feel it gives my audience a chance to see what I'm imaging for my characters and creatures.

I've seen other authers here use either Ai, paid artists to do character and sometimes scenes or even drawn the art themselves. Some put the images at certain story beats to tie into the scene, others either put it at the end, .0 chapter at the beginning of your novel or in the glossy. Also some set it up in a spoiler tag. Some might not enjoy character art being over exaggerated like an impossible bust size while others love it as it shows a sort of progression of a character as they change or grow.

Even if some people hate it or dislike it, many of us are putting one in as our cover anyway. Personally tho, if it's something you want to do then go for it. People who like it will stay, some will just ignore it and someone might complain. But A, the novel is something for you first and B, you really can't please everyone.

Haha yeah, I definitely don’t plan on going full ‘impossible bust size’ manga art ? Maybe just moody London skylines or a Wembley poster as a bonus. I’ll test the waters!

 

[Roney]

Personally speaking. I dont enjoy them being there in the middle of a chapter. I want to be able to picture the scene with the words alone. But I do appreciate cover art. And like in general artworks related to the story. Just not in the middle of a chapter.

 

[Ai-chan]

Not really distracting. It could add to the reading experience, but if you put it in the middle of the chapter, that's like a natural break. Any mood you set there will be broken by the image. So you would naturally want to have it at the end of the scene and not in the middle.

 

[SevianMorric]

Personally speaking. I dont enjoy them being there in the middle of a chapter. I want to be able to picture the scene with the words alone. But I do appreciate cover art. And like in general artworks related to the story. Just not in the middle of a chapter.

Yeah, I totally get that. I also love it when the words alone are enough to paint the scene, and I wouldn’t want to break that flow with a random image right in the middle of a chapter.

What I had in mind was more like symbolic art at the very end of a chapter, or maybe separate bonus sections for milestone scenes—so it doesn’t interrupt the main reading experience.

Curious though, for everyone else reading this: would you prefer artwork only as covers and extras, or do you enjoy seeing occasional illustrations tied to key story beats?

Not really distracting. It could add to the reading experience, but if you put it in the middle of the chapter, that's like a natural break. Any mood you set there will be broken by the image. So you would naturally want to have it at the end of the scene and not in the middle.

Yeah, that makes sense. If the image pops up right in the middle of a tense or emotional moment, it definitely risks breaking the mood.

I’m leaning toward only putting artwork at the very end of a scene or as a bonus after the chapter—so it feels like an optional pause, not an interruption.

Sounds like the safest way is still to keep the main text clean, then let people choose to look at the art if they want. Anyone else doing it that way?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

IMO, they work best in the Author's Notes or as their own separate "chapter" (perhaps with a line or two of text explaining what they are), just as some print books do.

 

[RepresentingPride]

Hey everyone!

I’m writing a slow-burn political/historical novel set in modern London. It’s pretty text-heavy—lots of atmosphere, dialogue, and that “traditional novel” vibe.

Lately I’ve been wondering… should I sprinkle in a few visuals here and there? Like:

• a moody sketch of London at night,
• a character portrait (just enough to hint at their vibe, not a full anime style),
• or maybe a symbolic image, like an old concert poster or a map of the city.

Do you think stuff like that actually adds to the reading experience? Or does it break immersion for people who enjoy imagining everything themselves?

Also, if you’ve done it for your own story, did it help engagement? Or did readers just scroll past?

Curious to hear what you guys think! Would you enjoy a bit of visual flavor in between chapters, or do you prefer pure text?

I did it in some chapters. It's great to add some illustrations, but some don't like it in the middle, you can use spoiler option to hide it for the ones who don't like it, you can also ask your readers if they prefer it in the middle of the chapter, when the action occur, or at the end to not cut the chapter.

 

[SevianMorric]

IMO, they work best in the Author's Notes or as their own separate "chapter" (perhaps with a line or two of text explaining what they are), just as some print books do.

Got it. So it seems the general consensus is: keep the main text clean, and if I do add art, place it in a natural pause—like the end of a scene, in the Author’s Notes, or even as a bonus ‘illustration chapter’ with a short explanation.

That way it feels like an extra layer for those who want it, without breaking the flow for people who prefer pure text. Sounds like a good balance.

Anyone here actually tried a separate illustration chapter? Did readers engage with it?

By the way,That’s actually a great point. I didn’t think about using a separate illustration chapter with a short note like some print books do. It does sound like a neat way to give extra flavor without disrupting the main flow. I might try that for key milestones or symbolic moments. Thanks for the idea!”

I did it in some chapters. It's great to add some illustrations, but some don't like it in the middle, you can use spoiler option to hide it for the ones who don't like it, you can also ask your readers if they prefer it in the middle of the chapter, when the action occur, or at the end to not cut the chapter.

That’s a clever workaround. Using the spoiler option would definitely let readers choose whether they want to see the art or not. I also like the idea of just asking them directly if they’d prefer it right when the scene happens, or at the end of the chapter as an extra.

Maybe I’ll do a quick poll before adding anything major, so it feels like a choice rather than a disruption.

 

[RepresentingPride]

Anyone here actually tried a separate illustration chapter? Did readers engage with it?

I made one, I add the illustration in the chapter when the character/monster appear, and add it in the chapter created only for illustrations.

https://www.scribblehub.com/read/815788-crystal-evolution/chapter/828532/

There some interaction, but a lot just look at it silently, same when they read the chapters of the story, most readers are silent reader.

 

[SevianMorric]

I made one, I add the illustration in the chapter when the character/monster appear, and add it in the chapter created only for illustrations.

https://www.scribblehub.com/read/815788-crystal-evolution/chapter/828532/

There some interaction, but a lot just look at it silently, same when they read the chapters of the story, most readers are silent reader.

Ah, so even with illustrations most readers still stay silent, huh? That makes sense—silent readers are just part of the platform.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Ah, so even with illustrations most readers still stay silent, huh? That makes sense—silent readers are just part of the platform.

Part of most platforms, really. I haven't found one with consistently active commenters, with the exception of bots.

This thread may help.

Pros, cons, & audiences of every writing/webnovel site[a continual discussion]

I want to produce a helpful comprehensive list of all the writing/webnovel/publishing sites and what each provide so I come asking for your knowledge. What are some of the pros, cons, audiences, popular genres, unpopular genres, communities, and scandals or unethical business practices that each...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[lydiawinehouse]

Hey everyone!

I’m writing a slow-burn political/historical novel set in modern London. It’s pretty text-heavy—lots of atmosphere, dialogue, and that “traditional novel” vibe.

Lately I’ve been wondering… should I sprinkle in a few visuals here and there? Like:

• a moody sketch of London at night,
• a character portrait (just enough to hint at their vibe, not a full anime style),
• or maybe a symbolic image, like an old concert poster or a map of the city.

Do you think stuff like that actually adds to the reading experience? Or does it break immersion for people who enjoy imagining everything themselves?

Also, if you’ve done it for your own story, did it help engagement? Or did readers just scroll past?

Curious to hear what you guys think! Would you enjoy a bit of visual flavor in between chapters, or do you prefer pure text?

hmm, reading it my mind was coming to jack the reaper honestly, but that is not the main part of what I was thinking. Have you ever read the Undercover Academy's professor? / Miss Pendelton/ The redemption of Earl Nottingham?/. I have no idea whether your leads will be female or male, but yeah, you shall give visuals for your characters, the vibes which eras would it be in. - I like your idea, it seems like it is not a typical Isekai story?

 

[SevianMorric]

Part of most platforms, really. I haven't found one with consistently active commenters, with the exception of bots.

This thread may help.

Pros, cons, & audiences of every writing/webnovel site[a continual discussion]

I want to produce a helpful comprehensive list of all the writing/webnovel/publishing sites and what each provide so I come asking for your knowledge. What are some of the pros, cons, audiences, popular genres, unpopular genres, communities, and scandals or unethical business practices that each...

forum.scribblehub.com

Yeah, I’ve heard about bots inflating both comments and even some reads. I guess it’s hard to tell how much of the traffic is truly organic vs. just noise.

From your experience, do you just focus on finishing the story and let silent readers be silent? Or do you still try to find ways to spark genuine engagement?

hmm, reading it my mind was coming to jack the reaper honestly, but that is not the main part of what I was thinking. Have you ever read the Undercover Academy's professor? / Miss Pendelton/ The redemption of Earl Nottingham?/. I have no idea whether your leads will be female or male, but yeah, you shall give visuals for your characters, the vibes which eras would it be in. - I like your idea, it seems like it is not a typical Isekai story?

I haven’t read those yet—are they on Wattpad or ScribbleHub? Are they more historical-intrigue focused or more on character drama? Sounds like they might share a similar vibe.

My story is set in 1985 London, very much Thatcher-era Britain with Cold War tension still lingering in the background. It’s more political-intrigue-meets-alternate-history rather than a typical fantasy isekai. I do plan to give more visual and era-defining details for the characters and settings so the tone feels distinct.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Yeah, I’ve heard about bots inflating both comments and even some reads. I guess it’s hard to tell how much of the traffic is truly organic vs. just noise.

From your experience, do you just focus on finishing the story and let silent readers be silent? Or do you still try to find ways to spark genuine engagement?

Finishing a story is better than just giving up when there is little to no engagement. Mostly because it could be that you are in the wrong market for your story. Another reason could be that most readers like to wait until a story is further along before they start reading. Once the story is finished, you could self-publish it(Most traditional publishers will not accept a manuscript that has been on any webnovel or hosting site), and build an audience via physical sales.

 

[tiaf]

It depends on what the picture is for! E.g. when a new character or a magical beast appears, and it's not some tension filled scene, then I add a picture hidden in spoiler. Readers can choose to open or not.

When I read stuff I like visual support, especially for food dishes or plants, when they are mentioned. I wouldn't mind visual support for scenery either!

 

[SevianMorric]

Finishing a story is better than just giving up when there is little to no engagement. Mostly because it could be that you are in the wrong market for your story. Another reason could be that most readers like to wait until a story is further along before they start reading. Once the story is finished, you could self-publish it(Most traditional publishers will not accept a manuscript that has been on any webnovel or hosting site), and build an audience via physical sales.

Thanks, that’s a very thoughtful take. I do agree—finishing the story matters, even when early engagement is quiet.

I'm currently experimenting with cross-platform visibility while polishing the manuscript toward a potential publication path. I was curious if readers here ever felt illustrations might help bridge the gap for slower-burn, politically themed narratives—or if they'd rather just focus on text.

Appreciate your insight on timing and market fit. Definitely helps frame expectations.

 

[CrimsonGenius]

I add my characters to a Glossary. It there for a reason.

 

[Eldoria]

Hey everyone!

I’m writing a slow-burn political/historical novel set in modern London. It’s pretty text-heavy—lots of atmosphere, dialogue, and that “traditional novel” vibe.

Lately I’ve been wondering… should I sprinkle in a few visuals here and there? Like:

• a moody sketch of London at night,
• a character portrait (just enough to hint at their vibe, not a full anime style),
• or maybe a symbolic image, like an old concert poster or a map of the city.

Do you think stuff like that actually adds to the reading experience? Or does it break immersion for people who enjoy imagining everything themselves?

Also, if you’ve done it for your own story, did it help engagement? Or did readers just scroll past?

Curious to hear what you guys think! Would you enjoy a bit of visual flavor in between chapters, or do you prefer pure text?

I am one of the few people who put illustrations with AI on the cover, glossary and chapter illustrations to enhance the reading experience. I usually place chapter illustrations right at the emotional climax of the chapter either in the middle or at the end of the chapter. Honestly, making illustrations even with AI is not easy job, we need to make sure the prompt matches the chapter description and it is not easy, I often even have to render the image dozens of times until it takes hours just to get 1 ideal image. It would be easier if I didn't provide illustrations but why do I do it? I don't know I just want to do it.

 

[lydiawinehouse]

Yeah, I’ve heard about bots inflating both comments and even some reads. I guess it’s hard to tell how much of the traffic is truly organic vs. just noise.

From your experience, do you just focus on finishing the story and let silent readers be silent? Or do you still try to find ways to spark genuine engagement?

I haven’t read those yet—are they on Wattpad or ScribbleHub? Are they more historical-intrigue focused or more on character drama? Sounds like they might share a similar vibe.

My story is set in 1985 London, very much Thatcher-era Britain with Cold War tension still lingering in the background. It’s more political-intrigue-meets-alternate-history rather than a typical fantasy isekai. I do plan to give more visual and era-defining details for the characters and settings so the tone feels distinct.

Most of those stories from novel, but I usually read the manhwa?. Reading the bits of what you are aiming for, your story carried some of the vibes in those novels I mentioned above. And to tell you, I'm interested in what you will right because I'm not quite a fan of Isekai,

Did you write it yet? Reach out to me if you did?

I add my characters to a Glossary. It there for a reason.

What's the purpose of the glossary if I may ask? I'm new to this platform, and so far none of the platforms I used, have glossaries.