You are the one-millionth person to ask if I’d
like to illustrate your children’s book.
Not that I’d mind illustrating a children’s
book, but every single one of these one million
children’s book writing individuals seems
to think their idea is so spectacular, so magnificently
unique, that I’d just jump at the chance
to illustrate the whole thing absolutely free.
Whazzup with that?
| This reads like a jaded rant that I'm mildly
embarrassed of, but as this ancient blog
post still gets a lot of views, comments,
emails, etc... and has managed to stifle
the onslaught of emails requesting my services
on spec, I figured what the heck. I won't
delete it just yet. |
As a writer myself, I’m sure I could bust
out a decent children’s book in about a
day. Illustrating it, on the other hand? Well
that’s another story. First I‘d
have to set aside all my paying gigs, all my
own personal projects, my paintings (hey, I did
teach myself how to draw ‘cuz I had a few
ideas of my own) just so I’d have some
time to dive into this whole children’s
book thing.
So what’s up with these 20 or so individuals
a month that want me to illustrate their children’s
book on spec? Yeah, spec. Like I draw a bunch
of stuff and they go, “No, I was thinking
Jimmy could be a little more docile.” Trust
me. If they are brazen enough to ask me to illustrate
their entire children’s book for free,
they are brazen enough to put their foot down
on creative control. I mean this is their baby,
right? I’m just the free hired help.
Don’t any of these people realize what
sells children’s books, a book that predominately
consists of illustration, is, like, the pictures.
I seem to remember falling in love with a gang
of these children’s books in my kid days.
Maybe it’s just me, but I could probably
draw every one of those characters from memory.
The stories on the other hand…maybe something
about wild
things? Sneaking out? Um, I just can’t
remember.
Back when the deluge of children’s book
wielding suitors began I used to try and let
these people down easy. I mean hey, I am a nice
guy. But now that the onslaught has reached biblical
proportions I figured it was time to try and
organize a preemptive strike.
Basically what I’m trying to say is, if
you're looking for someone to illustrate your
entire children’s book for little or no
money, then you have come to the wrong place.
If you are looking for someone to illustrate
your fantastic, “almost” published,
science fiction book jacket for little to no
money, go fish.
It’s not that you don’t have a wonderful
idea, or that fame and fortune couldn't shine
on your project at some later date, but I’m
the guy they bring in when that later date arrives.
Let's talk when there’s money on the table,
a deal’s in writing, and there’s
a deadline for print.
~ Adam Strange |
