"I'm writing a children's book, will you illustrate it?"

stringfellowart

@smceccarelli Thank you for the reminder. You are right, I feel bad about telling people no, and so I want to explain myself, which stresses me out even more. There are some people who asks for future projects, like Hey someday I'm going to write a children's book based on my experiences [fill in the blank], would you illustrate it for me?" Actually, I still could say, "well, I have a lot on my plate, so I probably won't be able to... but feel free to ask me again when you are done writing" would work too.

smceccarelli

@stringfellowart Ahah! I know that one! I normally answer "Yes, sure!"
I know dozens of people who say "they want to write a book someday" (I work with copywriters and journalists, so maybe there is a professional bias), but very few people who actually wrote a book - and they are not the same people. So the chance of these brightly intentioned people to actually come back to you some day with a ready-to-illustrate manuscript is so small that you can safely treat it as small talk.
But your answer is a good one too - more honest.

This video circulated in the design community a while ago. It applies more to the designers world (RFPs and spec are typical means by which big companies screen designers and agencies), but I think it drives the point that no other profession in the world would be handled as the creative professionals sometimes are...

Spec Work

Andyg

I usually say I would love to help them out. Often they offer a cut in the profits if ever it gets published. I explain kindly that they need to understand my level of commitment to their project would mean not accepting work where I will definitely get paid. So really i need to enter into a contract with them.

I am a story teller/writer, and know how stories work. So it does help to be able to see stories that don't work as I can quickly decide whether or not it's a good fit. I guess if an awesome story came along I would cave and do it.

MOO

One thing, I 've found, that a lot of people don't know is that if they are interested in publishing the book that the publisher will find the illustrator and they don't need to even worry about that part-unless they want to self-publish, that is.

I had a college teacher that gave my name to a coupel of people as she knew I was doing some projects. I asked her not to give out my name anymore. One wanted to have me illustrate a book for her. I informed her that I had not yet developed the skills needed to illustrate a book like hers. She had also sent me a copy of the story which was a cute idea but it had so many visual descriptions already that it was quite overwhelming! She had self-published before and wanted me to do it for FREE! and then give me royalties or whatever. Not happening. I did my first book free for a friend because it was something we both wanted to try and she paid to have it published through a publishing company (vanity publisher, I guess it would be). It was after that experience I decided to try one on my own. It was fun. I learned a lot and I self-published it but, it sure would be nice to at least break even Our time and talent is of value and that is what we need to remember. We pay in time and frustration and effort and it isn't an easy job. My tendancy is to make things and just give them away! More recently, I don't want to do it for nothing or for very little. There are others way more talented than I am but I work hard and long to make progress and I don't feel like doing it for nothing anymore. I appreciate those people that like my work and encourage me though. They are a real blessing!

stringfellowart

Ok, on a related note: I asked one of the people who contacted me recently if she had written her story yet. She said no, that she just joined a writing group run by a "publisher" and that publisher advised her to get a logo and trademark (and start her social media account--which I agree) FIRST before writing her book. Um....what? Am I wrong for thinking this is complete BS advice?

MissMarck

@stringfellowart I would consider that pretty much BS. Sure, you can build your personal brand, but frankly, if you don't have a product to share, then your brand won't really mean much. I mean... if you haven't created anything, what are you even going to put on social media?

DanetteDraws

@stringfellowart That sounds super odd. First off, I've never heard of a publisher running a writer's critique group (with absolute newbies, no less) - not that it couldn't be a thing, but my hunch is that this so-called "publisher" is perhaps a vanity press who's hoping to make money off these writers one day. You don't need a trademark. Writer's don't even necessarily need a logo to get started - sure, you want to create a consistent, professional brand once you get yourself out there, but this advice is really putting the cart before the horse. What's most important about being a writer (or illustrator)? The WRITING (or ILLUSTRATING). Work on the craft.
It's amazing to me that this person ("writer") contacted you to illustrate her book when she hasn't even written it yet!!!
Face palm. I seriously wonder sometimes if common sense has seriously gone out the window with some people.

stringfellowart

@danettedraws Yes, this is exactly what I thought. I asked which publishing company she worked with, but didn't get an answer, so I suspect the validity of that.

jessicarichards

Writing children's books is a very interesting process, and drawing illustrations for this book is also very cool. As a child I always loved big books with many illustrations, like many children) I want to recommend excellent essays writing service to your children, you can find at PapersOwl, I think you will find many good essays for both children and students.

burvantill

@smceccarelli LOL! That is an AWESOME video! Love it! It definitely is a great way to show people who don’t understand our side of it. It’s a business.
“Don’t pull my leg! Come on, get out of my place!” Perfect!