Putting illustrators with authors

[Vivian Gilbert Zabel]

I know that some publishers and/or authors pay illustrators so much per illustration, and some authors and illustrators share the royalties for a children's book. Which do you prefer, or which works/worked better for you? What are the pros and cons of each?

[Aidana WillowRaven]

Which do I prefer?

Mmmm, although so far I am paid by the book (by authors or PHs that outsource their work) and of course salary by Living Waters, I think I would prefer a combination of both, especially if my work is what is expected to sell that book.

What are the pros and cons of each?

Well, pro to being paid by the work/illustration sets a guideline on what your time & skills are worth. And getting paid sooner is always better than later, especially when you have kids to feed & you are not an illustrator by hobby but by trade.

Con would be in the fact that PHs are less & less willing to pay what the work is worth, especially for lesser known artist regardless of the skill/training level. It's just not in their budgets. More & more PHs are putting the illustration tab onto the author (& if you are self publishing you certainly have to eat that bill) more & more if you are wanting anything other than the house illustrators designing your book with templates that make it look like everybody else's book.

But if you find an illustrator that can attract thousands of imaginations at the book on the shelf, before it even gets the first paragraph read, & helps that author create a world that you as an author are spinning with your words, then doesn't that author deserve a little more that a one time payment? Especially if they were under paid to start for one reason or another?

I would hope all authors/PHs will eventually learn the value of their illustrators & what the right illustrator can do for their books & be willing to compensate them according to their true value rather than by budgets and general standards.

And since reality does have budgets & guidelines, when an illustrator can push a book beyond a certain level, then a royalty would be an awesome "Thank You". It may even earn a discount on future work!

Aidana WillowRaven

[Vivian Gilbert Zabel]

I know the 4RV illustrators are worth their weight in gold, but since our small press doesn't have the funds to pay what they are worth, unless the author wants to buy the illustrations (which become theirs forever), the author and illustrator share an equal royalty. Plus we give thanks and appreciation as possible.

When I was looking for a publisher for my children's book (which I hope will be published some day), the publisher who visited with me told me it would cost me $200 an illustration for that book. Thankfully, the illustrator who will do the illustrations now will share royalties.

A good illustrator is worth $200 or more an illustration, but sometimes authors and small presses don't have the funds needed to pay their worth.

Vivian

P.S. 4RV has some awesome artists on staff.

[Aidana WillowRaven]

Well...

Myself, I would accept considerably less up front if I were offered royalties, I may even consider in agreeing to make any payment an advance (to be late taken off my first royalty payments), but it would primarily depend on the royalty rate.

As with most of my freelance bids, all things are negotiable, but I would find $25 or $50 more than fair per illustration if I were getting royalties later.

But that is me & my knowledge that I would market the book as much if not more than many authors. One because I know how (I have marketing training & market my literary agent clients) & two, every published illustration guarantees me at least three more jobs just from that one project.

But I really could not talk for other illustrators. Most don't have the security of a salary job to back up potentially lazy or un motivated authors who just don't do their part for sales.

I'm sure you have run into those types as publisher... lol.

And any illustrator who has been around this industry would justifiably have to ask themselves "But what if the book doesn't sell"? "Will I be losing my time & giving away my craft"?

So all of your staff artists work on commission? Or are they basically regular, though independent contractors?

Do your authors have a choice of artists when they choose you as a publisher?

Aidana WillowRaven

[Vivian Gilbert Zabel]

Our artists are basically regular, though independent contractors under contract to 4RV. When we have a book that needs illustrations, we send sections of the story (usually 2) and ask our artists to submit examples of illustrations. The author examines the samples and chooses the illustrations he/she likes.

All our artists work on royalties, but so do the authors. So far authors and artists have worked well as teams. The only problems have been with a couple who call themselves artists but don't think their work ever needed revised. *shrug* That's so far.

Right now we have six books in the works and have two other authors waiting until artists are available.

We also publish other books, but our main focus at this time is children and young adult books.

Vivian

[Donna]

Gosh, I don't have an answer to your question but I would like to know what the fair asking price is per illustration esp if they're inexpereinced. :)

[Aidana WillowRaven]

Well, it depends on many factors...

The scope of the project, the level of detail wanted, medium you are working with, how long each illustration takes you, your skills as an artist, your experience, your training, your style...

Art is super objective, it gets hard to rate your worth in relation to time or materials.

I would say, do some research & find other illustrators that have similar style & execution of work, see what they charge and at what experience level. Then price yourself according to the average of that level of artistry.

Of course, the PHs/Author's budget has a lot to do with it too.

If you are new, take some rock bottom paying jobs, because like new authors, getting published adds a definite feather to your work... it makes you more legitimate & helps build that portfolio too.

Aidana WillowRaven

[Jennifer Llewellyn]

Donna if you are new take a job just for royalties at maybe 10% or less.
Getting a published title will open many doors for you!

[Jennifer Llewellyn]

As An illustrator......

It depends on the scale of the book.
If it is a first publication or self published I prefer to be paid out in full.

As a full time illustrator and animator I bill out at 55$ an hr or a flat rate per illustration.

If it is a known or developed author or publisher I have gone solely on royalties at anywhere from 15% - 50%

Some people think illustrators Bill to high......I believe this solely depends on the experience of the person you are getting. IF this is there first "job" I would expect it would be a lower rate or possibly free to gain a published create and just collect royalties.

Why do illustrators bill out at a high rate......
Well if it is our full time job we are freelance or contract meaning we do not have a steady cheque nor benefits......Factoring that in we have to bill what we are worth. However always base the rate you decide on samples.

I have often been asked to to a character test to make sure I get the style the other is looking for. This would be one drawing unpaid -$100 and owned by the illustrator unless the get the job.

Hope that helps a bit

Cons for me have been books split with charity I though 15% was Fantastic but then it was 15% of 8 percent.....which well.....is no longer 15% in my eyes so on those two books i make 10 cents a copy needless to say that was not at all worth it.