Should I walk away?
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I was approached by a publisher to create three 32-page picture books to be completed by April 2025. I've only done one picture book per year so far, and I think my max would be two as I think the fastest I can create a picture book I can feel proud of takes at least four months. I have a more rendered style, so it takes longer than someone with a looser style. I'm also the main parent during the summer, so I'd be away from my computer a chunk of the time. I'm loathe to walk away from a project because who knows when the next offer will come my way. If @LeeWhite is lurking on the boards, please feel free to chime in. I believe I heard you once mention 2 picture books per year was your max as well. Am I missing out by walking away, or am I doing the right thing? Thanks!
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@Laurel-Aylesworth Have you asked for more time? You can also negotiate about how complex the illustrations would be, maybe you'll find out, only few spreads will be taking a lot of time, and some could be simple and requiring less time to complete.
Before walking away from an offer, I would ask as many questions as possible, state that you are super interested, but you are afraid you will not be able to complete the project on time, that you want to give each book your all and for that you would need the deadline to be so and so.
I was in similar situations before. Sometimes the deadline is set in stone, but often there's no problem to move it around a bit, if they are interested in you as the artist, they will try to help you out on this.
Good luck! -
@Laurel-Aylesworth Good lord, that's a way unrealistic deadline! But they may not even realize that. The people who have decided on these deadlines aren't artists. Don't just give up on the gig! It's time to go on negotiating mode, girl!
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Update: I walked away. The publisher sent over two of the manuscripts which were HEAVY on the art notes. Basically, I'd be just a hired hand with no brain. That, and because of their insane timeline for three books, I made the decision to keep my sanity intact. I'm also hoping that something will eventually come soon - a project that works for me as well as the client. But boy, it was hard to walk away from work.
Oh, and @NessIllustration - I did try to negotiate with them by offering to work on just one book, but in the end they wanted one illustrator for all three to keep the style consistent. I tried!
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@Laurel-Aylesworth Way to go, Laurel! It's hard to walk away, but you respected yourself and your limits
No contract is ALWAYS better than a crappy contract! It ties you up so you're not available for something better! -
@Laurel-Aylesworth Hi Laurel. Have you checked with the client if the decline can be extended?
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@Laurel-Aylesworth oof! Been there, done that. projects that are as heavily art directed as this are the worst. it's definitely for the best that you walked away. a better project will definitely come along soon.
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@Laurel-Aylesworth I see you already walked away at this point (which I'm relieved for you lol).
May I ask, what kind of publisher was this? Educational? I am just trying to figure out what kind of publisher would want 3 books in that time, and same illustrator for all 3, with heavy notes.... I'm relatively new to the game, so I'm just trying to figure out what sorts of things that are possible or may be asked of some illustrators.
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@Katt Yes, educational. It felt very different from trade publishers who emphasize the art and give you room to be creative and give enough time. This publisher, however, had miles long art notes, so there was no room for creative choices on my part. Looking at their catalogue again, the artwork leaned more cartoonish than rendered, so you'd need a fast style to work with them. I don't have that
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@Laurel-Aylesworth Okay, that is what I thought. Yea, that would be stressful! Glad you chose to stick with what works for you. On a side note, would you recommend doing educational in general? It was recommended in one of the classes I just took that editorial and education is sometimes done before doing trade work, and I'm actually a huge consumer of the educational market. If you have any insight to that, I would love that. Have a great day!
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@Katt I would absolutely work with the educational publishers (this would have been my first). If they'd approached me for one book I would definitely do it, and deal with the extensive art direction. It's the timeline that was the turnoff.
