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Published Fall '07 in SCBWI Metro newsletter "Illustrators'
Corner". WAR STORIES (continued from page 1) One of my artists was able to help the panicked studio out by taking the other artist's sketches and doing the whole eleven-image story finishes in 3 days to make the design production schedule… monumental! And no sleep those three days you can bet! And they were beautiful! The two agency artists split the fee and all was well for everyone. (And my artist got another story with more time and nicely priced.) This communication needs to work in both directions… and sometimes doesn't. A few years ago a major educational publisher doing a reading program almost put several studios out of business by challenging some studio cost overruns. The publishers held up payments to these design studios while the problem was sorted out. And guess who didn't get paid in the meantime? Yup…the artists! As is often the case, facts of the situation were not shared with reps or artists in a timely fashion, As a result no one was able to plan for the payment delays. Unrepped artists caught in this situation might have had serious financial troubles. Some of my artists wouldn't have seen any money for over nine months if I hadn't been in a position to advance it to them. This is terribly unfair and unethical, but happens. Artists cannot control these sorts of industry problems, but my hint to you is: don't spend money you haven't yet been paid. Another happier ending trade picture book ‘war story' involves a complex three-way situation with a trade publisher and a historic foundation with rights to stuffed characters they wanted depicted in a picture book. One of my artists was unanimously picked to be the illustrator, but LONG before the business end of copyrights was ironed out, or a story even written! Almost two years, and many drafts later of three separate contracts, we have the artist finally about to send in finishes. Artists can get QUITE frustrated with the delays of committees with this sort of unusual project. Without this artist's patience and positive thinking and my persistence a wonderful opportunity might have been missed. Another potential problem for reps and their new artists is when work just doesn't come right away. One of my most special ‘CAT' artists, and now a dear friend, was with me well over a year before her first real job. Not long afterwards she got her first trade picture book, which has done wonderfully and is still in print almost a decade later. A mere three years after that first job, she and I were asked to give an inspirational talk for the illustrators attending an SCBWI illustrators' conference. She'd come a long way in a short time and has illustrated many trade books since. How did she do it? Her early work was rather dark and scary but very interesting and charming somehow. I KNEW she had the commitment and conceptual promise for picture books. She was very willing to work at developing her ‘friendly' style to be sellable but still truly HER, and doing the promotional sheets necessary to get SEEN. One finally hit the mark with a perfect manuscript and she was OFF. Sometimes it takes a bit to get started, and during this period you need all the help you can get! Any business has its challenges and times when just nothing seems to work out right. Our love for what we do – and belief that it IS worth the effort in the long run – can empower our staying on our feet. You are not alone! Share and laugh about your ‘war stories' with fellow artists too... you will all feel better and learn important lessons I'm sure. ****************** Chris is still hoping to get feedback on the Spring article (Vol. 17) about “Pushing Back” to industry problems today…. Do reread that article and email your thoughts please. Chris@catugeau.com Back to War Stories! page 1 >>  |