Another concern among artists this past year arose over due dates for a large program at a big educational publisher. In some instances, the due dates for sketches were on "specs" (job specification work sheets), but did not include any finish due dates. This made it almost impossible to plan a working schedule. Since most "turn-arounds" (the client approval time before artists can go to finish) take one to three weeks, that was the time frame assumed. In fact, however, most of the "turns" took two to three MONTHS. You can imagine the scheduling dilemmas this created. Finish due dates came in all at the same time for multiple assignments from multiple studios assigning work. To add injury, the invoices were not able to be paid by the studios for up to 90+ days as the studios were not paid in timely increments. The practical effect was that many artists did not receive any money for their work for six months or more, creating a huge cash flow problem for working illustrators.

This is a small industry and one that must be run as a business, but also with mutual respect for the very "creatives" who make it happen. Artists must and do respect the publishers' needs for quality and due dates. But the publishers' duties are to be attentive to the practical needs of those who illustrate (and write) the very books they are printing and selling. As in all areas of life, my feeling is simply that we need to take care of how we interact and deal with one another.

Change of course is inevitable, but not always better. Open discussions and sharing of information is essential. I hope artists will continue to monitor the "weather" and take action to share their needs with the publishers, and be open to understanding the publishers' business concerns as well.

A working relationship will result in truly sunnier days, I'm sure.