Author-Illustrator or just Illustrator

ann-nadine

Hey guys,
I have a question regarding being an author and illustrator, or just being the illustrator. Let me explain.

I made a series of storytelling illustrations, a publisher is interested in it and asked me if I had the story. I said I don't but I can create it, so a few days later I submitted the text. Now the publisher said they want to collaborate with me only as the illustrator, as they might change the text of the story. That's fine with me. So we agreed for me to finish the illustrations + cover of the book.

Here is where it gets complicated: I told them that to finish the illustrations I need the new text, as the ending might be different, so they can send it to me anytime. They said that I can base my illustration on my story.

If this is the case, am I the author as well? Changing the text could mean to make big edits, but the story is still mine. They also put in the contract the title I gave. I am a little confused..

Meekipink

@ann-nadine Wow, that does sound complicated! I don't have much advice to give, but it seems like they're happy with your overall story as told through the images, and, whatever you draw, their other author will work with those images to write the story.

Asyas_illos

@ann-nadine you need to ask them and get down on ‘paper’ what exactly you are, it sounds shady to me. It sounds like they are avoiding giving you the title author/illustrator to avoid paying you as such. Don’t move forward until it’s clear

ann-nadine

@Asyas_illos hi Asya thank you! I thought the same. In the contract they sent me I am the illustrator, no mention of the author-illustrator title. I asked for more details, but no reply yet. So yeah, I think you might right.

Asyas_illos

@ann-nadine put them on the spot but be kind about it and if they don’t bring it up, ask for more money, you are doing both jobs, and you are it!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@ann-nadine wait, wait, wait... If you're not the author, are they saying that they are the author? like the publisher is now the author? If not them, then who? Did they hire an author? If not, then you are still the author.

This is so confusing. RED FLAGS ALL AROUND!!! who is this publisher?

ann-nadine

@Nyrryl-Cadiz they didn't tell me who the author will be, and when I asked them about it, they haven't replied anymore. It's been 2 weeks. I'm sending you a private message.

Melissa_Bailey

@ann-nadine if you created the story, you are the author. Even if someone else writes it, you are the author -- since you came up with the story, they would be a ghostwriter or coauthor.

For example, in wordless picture books the illustrator is also credited as the author, because it is their story.

As @Nyrryl-Cadiz said, there are HUGE red flags with this publisher! As much as the prospect of getting published is exciting, proceed very carefully.

Read the contract over thoroughly and consider consulting a lawyer, agent, or someone experienced in publishing about it before you sign.
Research the publisher -- are they legit?
Ask other authors or illustrators that have worked with them about their experience with this publisher.
Check out Writer Beware -- you may find info about the publisher or general information about that type of publisher that can help you in deciding what to do.

ann-nadine

@Melissa_Bailey thank you, you are such a gem Melissa ️ I’m going to follow your advice and @Nyrryl-Cadiz. You girls are amazing, thank you so much!

carlianne

@ann-nadine yes exactly what @Melissa-Bailey said! If they are using your story you are the author. If they want to "change the text" they can hire an editor or if it's super heavy edits a ghost writer or a co-author. Big read flags for me too

ann-nadine

@Meekipink thank you. I’m not sure they want to adopt the text to my illustration as they want to use my story, perhaps making major edits to it. As others said, it’s a major red flag.

ann-nadine

@carlianne it was indeed what made me question everything. Why not recognize me as the author instead of just the illustrator? Something was off honestly. Thank you for taking time in answering, I really appreciate it ️

Melissa_Bailey

@ann-nadine you're so welcome! ️

ann-nadine

@Melissa_Bailey @Nyrryl-Cadiz @Asyas_illos @Meekipink @carlianne
Hello again, I hope this post finds you all well. After a few weeks of total silence regarding this matter, I got back from the publisher. This is what they tell me:

The text will be rewritten by our editor, only the skeleton of the text will be the same. So this will be a story of the characters you drew, but all other details will be changed and the numbers of the words will be almost triplicated.

So as I understand it, they will use the concept of my storyline but make it richer in details as they want to develop it for a middle grade book, and not just a picture book.

What do you think about this? Should I still be the author-illustrator? Or ask them to be the co-author? It's confusing!

carlianne

@ann-nadine yes, I still think you're the author.

This article on ghost writing might clarify it a little bit. But if the skeleton of the story is still yours, you are still the author. It was your idea and concept.

I'd be personally willing to take a co-author title if they were adamant about it and I really wanted to work with them, but I think you could still be considered a full on author and I would feel weary that you're already seeing red flags here.

Is this a Reputable publisher?

https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/how-and-why-to-hire-a-ghostwriter

Nyrryl Cadiz

@ann-nadine Given that they wanted to pay you only in royalties is enough reason for me to say NO. it's not worth it. Who knows if the book will sell? You'd be better off making your own book and selling it on Amazon. You'd probably have a bigger profit that way.

carlianne

@Nyrryl-Cadiz wow I didn't see they only wanted to pay royalties!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@carlianne oh yeah. I asked @ann-nadine about it previously via the messages here in the forum

Melissa_Bailey

@ann-nadine it sounds like they want to have their editor write a book on spec using the characters you created. As others have warned, this is very unusual. Not unheard of, but in a case where an author is hired by a publisher to write a story to go along with existing illustrations, there is very clear and close communication between the team: editor, author, and illustrator. And before work even begins, at the offer stage, the work and terms are clearly defined. This doesn't seem to be the case with your situation.

Lots of red flags here!

Lack of prompt and clear communication. Their reply is vague.
Using your storyline and characters but only hiring you as an illustrator? Even if the story is "rewritten" (i.e. ghostwritten) by the editor, you should be involved in the process. Has that been offered?
No advance. So basically they're asking you to put hours and hours of work into this project for nothing. What will you live on in that time? How will you pay your bills? Will they be paying their editor to "rewrite"? Absolutely. Shouldn't your time be fairly compensated as well? (This is the whole purpose of an advance, and traditional publishers understand this.) Being paid only in royalties means you will have to wait months, or years, to see any sort of remuneration for all that work you did -- and then with no sort of guarantee how much those royalties will end up being. It's a deal that's easy on the publisher's budget, but it's not fair to you.

This is your decision to make; I'm not going to tell you what to do. But think carefully about what you want out of this project -- is that something the publisher can fulfill? Will your time and talent be respected, valued, and fairly compensated?

If you decide that you want to pursue working with this publisher, read the "rewritten" story before signing anything. Don't commit yourself without knowing what you're getting into and if you will even like where they take the story and your characters. Have an attorney or trusted pro look over the contract. Make a list of questions for the publisher. If your questions are unanswered, if an answer is a deal breaker, or if more red flags pop up, be prepared to walk away. Honestly, you'll be happier in the long run than trying to stick it out just so you can get published.

NessIllustration

@ann-nadine Do you have a contract in place? What have they agreed to pay? Don't start drawing anything until compensation has been agreed to in writing. This seems weird to me!