Contacted to illustrate a book dummy
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Hey all, this past week I was approached by an author that wanted me to illustrate her story. I asked if she would be self publishing it or if she already has some kind of deal. She replied as a "hybrid" situation and that a dummy would be great in both situations.
While I do agree with it I am on the fence about it. If I illustrate her dummy and she finds a publisher later on, that doesn’t mean I’ll be the one illustrating the final project, right? Most often than not, publishers go with their own roster of illustrators.
Is this something common? Am I missing something here? Should I just give her a flat fee for the dummy, craft a simple contract and just do it? Or should I reserve it for projects that only intend to go all the way with it?
I am currently not being represented by any agent and I am working on it without much success unfortunately…
Anyone had a similar situation and would like to share?
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@Felipe-Blanco are you being paid to create what is probably a pitch presentation? What level of resolution? Rough sketching, thumbnail or skinny line? Are you expected to do character development? Are you designing the layout for each spread?
In the past, I’ve been asked to develop a style or treatment for a series of illustrations only to have the requester shop it around to find an artist who do it for a cheaper price. I’m not saying that is what I’m going on in your case.
The blank page, or in your case, the blank dummy book, is the white bull that has to be wrestled to the ground. It is perhaps the most difficult part of creating art. You are being asked to edit an infinite list of possibilities into something tangible that best expresses the visual representation of her story.
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@Felipe-Blanco I would make sure to clear up what “hybrid” means. It sounds like a vanity press situation - which would probably be fine.
But, if there’s a chance they want to send it to an actual publisher or agent, I would steer clear. I think it’s standard practice for editors to throw out submissions if an author sends a manuscript with pictures from an illustrator they’ve hired. The publisher wants to do that job - properly with contracts and things. And they’re usually better at matching illustrators with authors than authors are. They will pretty much only take illustrated manuscripts if they are author illustrated. If they like the art and not the writing or vice versa it just creates a logistical and legal nightmare to separate them - they don’t want to deal with it. -
@thomas-young well said, these are all valid questions and I know it takes a lot of work to get to a presentable dummy. That said, I am not sure if I’ll take this job if I’m doing just that. I should be doing the whole book, not just the planning phase. Thank you for sharing your previous experience!
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@Pamela-Fraley Hi! Thank you for your reply! Yes, not sure still what “hybrid” means… and what is a “vanity press situation”?
Yeah, about the author/artist, it makes sense to have a dummy. In my case here I am sure it will be tossed away because the publisher will end up finding another artist to work with, for sure!
Thank you!
