13 Apr 2024, 14:05

@Michael-Angelo-Go 10,000 is the minimum I was recommended, you could also say $35/hour is your rate if you are working with someone who wants to self-publish and is asking for your hourly rate. However, $8k would be worth it if it is your first book deal and guaranteed pay. If there is potential for them to want to hire you for a second book later, and their preferred budget is $8k, you could say your business is $10k but with 2k discount for the first book only.
It really depends who you're making a deal with.

I am not a published illustrator but the person who said $10k should be minimum is a successful author/illustrator.

Also think about how many months a book is supposed to take to make. The amount of months it takes, the higher you should be compensated for plus your skills and experience. $8k would be equal to maybe 3 months of a regular full-time job after taxes. You have to set money aside for stuff like that. Books usually take 6-12 months.