Client advice

[NessIllustration]

@makekong I completely agree with you that following up is professional, but it does depend on context. For example, during a contract, it's professional to follow up to get your feedback and such if the art director didn't get back to you when they said they would. And when you query clients and a discussion has started about a potential project, following up once or twice if they didn't get back to you in a while is professional as well.

But professionalism isn't the same as being a doormat! There are limits! This author reached out to Lauren about this project herself, she's the one that initiated it, then she disappeared and didn't organize the meeting that she said she would. I may also have a negative bias towards self-published authors, because they are often unprofessional or try to put too much responsibility on the illustrator to carry the project...

Personally when someone reaches out to me for a project, I let them take the lead, organize and manage what they need to in order to get things going. I reply to all their emails within 24 hours, but apart from that I don't get attach to the project or chase them like a lovesick puppy until and unless a contract has been signed and a down payment has been received. Before this, it's not my project yet. But it is THEIR project and they have to get the ball rolling if they want to make it happen. I suppose it's also kind of a test to see if they're proactive and organized enough. Because if I have to hound them before the contract has even been signed... I honestly don't even want to work with them.

In this case though, @lpetiti mentioned the author has health issues right now, so that's not her fault. Lauren has worked with her in the past so if she was a good client, I would be inclined to give her some grace too. Maybe I'd send her an email like "Did you still want to meet during spring break to discuss your project? I know things have been tough lately for you, so if you need to postpone this project until you feel better, I would completely understand. Let me know."

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@lpetiti hi! It’s great to see you again. This is just my two cents but if you are really keen on working with this project, I recommend you contact the client and inform them that you need to start the project yesterday otherwise you’ll be less available once school starts again. Send them an ultimatum, respectfully. But if you’re not that keen, then it’s maybe for the best to let this go.

I once declined two projects from my ex-agent just so I can work with an old self publishing client that I already gave my word to only to be met with silence from her end. A few weeks later, I see her posting the project on IG but with a different illustrator. I respectfully confronted her of course and told her what I had to sacrifice just to make time for her. The point is, self publishing clients can be fickle. If they don’t show initiative or enthusiasm in their own project, it’s probably best to let them go.

I hope this helps. I wish you all the best.

[lpetiti]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz yeah it’s been weird. On the one hand she’s seemed keen on the other I’ve never had this much trouble scheduling a meeting, stomach flus aside. I’m also at a weird place where I’m not sure how I feel about my art in general so would I want to invest time in a self published project

[lpetiti]

@NessIllustration I’m happy to get the advice! So far neither one of us has made the move yet. I feel like I’ve been instigating conversations a lot recently and that’s never a favorite way to do things

[NessIllustration]

@lpetiti I feel you! When the illustrator always has to instigate and chase the client, it creates this feeling like we need them more than they need us. It could sound like a petty point of pride, but it's actually really important not to have this feeling (from either party!) because it creates an imbalance in the relationship. It's a partnership that should be equal, and neither party should be perceived as desperate. That would be unhealthy and creates opportunity for one partner to take advantage of the other. Authors often contact illustrators with an attitude of "I'm doing you a favor by offering this project to you" and that's not a healthy dynamic to have in a client/illustrator relationship!

[NessIllustration]

@lpetiti To be fair though, I had the flu last month and this year's strain is brutal! I've never had such a bad flu in my life and couldn't even get out of bed for 2 weeks. I couldn't believe how bad I actually felt! Any and all meetings were cancelled. Has it been more than a couple weeks since she told you she was sick?

[lpetiti]

@NessIllustration mine was short but BAD. It hit like a train for 24 hours then it got my husband after me so he was a day behind me in symptoms

[NessIllustration]

@lpetiti I hope you're feeling better now!

[lpetiti]

Thank you all for your advice! Still no word on whether or not we’re moving forward with this. I think I might send her a text asking if she wants to pursue it now or wait til summer. Put the decision on her.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@lpetiti that sounds like the best decision for now. wish you all the best ️