You know, this puts me in mind of something my sister (who is getting an MA in Children's Lit) was telling me about artist/author collaborations in Children's Lit. She said that unless an author is doing their own illustrations (which they can only do if they're already famous and influential), they're not allowed to have any say in the illustration process. Requesting an artist, throwing in little sketches or saying what you want the art to look at is a good way to get your story tossed on the reject pile. Authors are not allowed to make suggestions, they're not allowed to critique the art, and not only do they not choose their own illustrators, they're not even allowed to talk to the illustrators. Because after all, writers don't know anything about art, and it would be presumptuous of them to interfere with the artist's Creative Process. Writers write, artists draw, and never the twain shall meet.

Which basically sounds to me like Children's Lit illustrators are tremendous prima donnas. You'd have to be crazy or starving to choose that kind of collaboration.

My sister was bemused by the idea that comic book writers and artists might actually talk to each other, or god help us, do little thumbnail sketches of panels, as Neil Gaiman says he does.