Thank you so much for this Helen. You're really lovely.
I think it's really important to highlight that it's ok to say no to a publisher. When we start out, getting published for the first time seems like an incredible thing. "They chose me! I'm so lucky! Finally! It's happening!" It's easy then to feel like the publisher is this high powerful person you can't say no to because you don't want to lose on the opportunity. It's difficult to see then that there will be others. And better ones. And we don't have to say yes if it doesn't feel right.
I've had a terrible experience with one publisher last year. Lots of things went wrong but the last straw was when, the day before sending the book to the printer, she sent me a message to say that she was going to add her own personal name on the cover as co-author because she had made corrections to the text. She also changed the terms of the contract a year after I signed it because she realised that she had miscalculated the shares and she wasn't making enough money to keep the publishing company afloat. When I said no to the changes she had the guts to tell me that I wasn't a real artist because I was all about the money. All in all, I ended up saying "that's it. I'm out." She had broken so many rules that it was easy for me to just walk out of there with my book and there was nothing she could do about it. (I've had my share of fights and I know when to use my rights.)
This year I decided to do a small print run of my book myself because I'm tired of it sitting in a drawer and I'm so happy I did. Each book I sell is money in my pocket, they look exactly the way I want them to look, and I have no one to answer to. I think that there are A LOT of bad publishers out there. We need to be on the lookout for the good ones. But never feel pressured to say yes to anything. I'd say, if you're asking yourself "is this normal?" it's already a sign that it's not and this is not a good relationship for you.
Yes, it’s all about gaining the confidence to set our own boundaries. Sometimes it takes a bad experience to realise where our boundaries are. Congratulations on your new self published work.
Honestly, you are such a support to children’s book illustrators , if there was a patron Saint competition for illustrators, you would have my vote! Brilliant advice x
I guess the question is not so much 'Is this normal' (because yes, sometimes this happens) but: 'Is this ACCEPTABLE?'.
When you start out you'll gradually answer that for yourself - like indeed: do you want to work on weekends? Do you want to meet the publisher in person? Do you work in batches or in one go? You'll learn about yourself and then you can inform anyone who wants to work with you about your process and boundaries. They'll respect you for it and be happy about the clear communication. If not, they're not people you want to work with.
Oh yes, is it acceptable is another good question. Yes I agree, setting out your boundaries helps everyone: you and the publisher. And these bad experiences certainly helps everyone you know your poundaries.
This is great, Helen! (Also, it was so lovely to meet you briefly in Berwick.) I'm not in this business not that long (seven years) but I agree with you on almost all the points here (my publishers never brought my WIP stuff to Bologna so I wouldn't know what's normal). But what's normal comes down to common sense, really. Making you wait for feedback for two months when you have a deadline? That's not normal or fair. But I totally get new illustrators feel they have to accept everything people throw at them. Hope your friend is feeling better now. x
It's so reassuring to hear about your process! I do the whole thing then go back in and tweak to tie everything together and elevate/ elaborate where necessary. It's very validating to hear that others work in this way as I am just winging it here! 😊 Thank you so much for this post.
Oh yes I love to make the book as a whole then go back and make changes later. I also like to keep the publisher in the loop — just to make sure we weren’t both imagining something completely different. Communication is the key I think. Hx
Yes, we don’t know what to expect at first. And we are so happy to get a foot in the door that we can sometimes accept everything — even when your gut tells you ‘this can’t be right’.
Thanks for sharing Helen, wise words as always - so true to learn to trust my own judgment in what I draw and how I relate to everyone and the world - and bounce back from the hiccups 🌍 🤗 ✍🏻 thank you
Oh years ago I had a falling out with an agent and she told me that I would never make it on my own. Well 20 years later and I'm still going! Got another agent now with a much nicer attitude.
Thank you for your really helpful video Helen - you are always so generous and kind. I really hope things improve for the illustrator you spoke to soon. X
It is really tricky starting out to know whether expectations are normal or not. It’s not something often spoken about. So thanks for sharing your experiences! Sorry this illustrator had such a stressful experience and I’m sure next time will be better. ☀️
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been there, and from my experience when things don’t feel normal, it’s a bad sign that will only get worst. I hope the illustrator finds both a better agent, and a better publisher!
what a great pep-talk, Helen! thanks for sharing your 'normal'. I'm wondering if an illustrator needs to check out the work -- and working processes -- of potential publishers/agents, and canvas feedback from people who've worked with them before signing with them. The behaviour of both publisher and agent comes across as immature and unprofessional, especially the weekend turn around deadline!
Yes, that’s really good advice. Explaining how you like to work, and asking their process would be really good way of working out of you are a good match.
Aww Helen that's a very kind, generous post to put up, that poor illustrator... I had a bad experience with an agent. I was given a first project that criminally underpaid and on a stupidly short deadline (over xmas, they saw me coming). I walked away halfway through (they hadn't even graced me with a contract). I felt awful at the time but now so glad I did, it didn't feel right. Current publisher is soooo lovely x
Thank you so much for this Helen. You're really lovely.
I think it's really important to highlight that it's ok to say no to a publisher. When we start out, getting published for the first time seems like an incredible thing. "They chose me! I'm so lucky! Finally! It's happening!" It's easy then to feel like the publisher is this high powerful person you can't say no to because you don't want to lose on the opportunity. It's difficult to see then that there will be others. And better ones. And we don't have to say yes if it doesn't feel right.
I've had a terrible experience with one publisher last year. Lots of things went wrong but the last straw was when, the day before sending the book to the printer, she sent me a message to say that she was going to add her own personal name on the cover as co-author because she had made corrections to the text. She also changed the terms of the contract a year after I signed it because she realised that she had miscalculated the shares and she wasn't making enough money to keep the publishing company afloat. When I said no to the changes she had the guts to tell me that I wasn't a real artist because I was all about the money. All in all, I ended up saying "that's it. I'm out." She had broken so many rules that it was easy for me to just walk out of there with my book and there was nothing she could do about it. (I've had my share of fights and I know when to use my rights.)
This year I decided to do a small print run of my book myself because I'm tired of it sitting in a drawer and I'm so happy I did. Each book I sell is money in my pocket, they look exactly the way I want them to look, and I have no one to answer to. I think that there are A LOT of bad publishers out there. We need to be on the lookout for the good ones. But never feel pressured to say yes to anything. I'd say, if you're asking yourself "is this normal?" it's already a sign that it's not and this is not a good relationship for you.
Yes, it’s all about gaining the confidence to set our own boundaries. Sometimes it takes a bad experience to realise where our boundaries are. Congratulations on your new self published work.
Honestly, you are such a support to children’s book illustrators , if there was a patron Saint competition for illustrators, you would have my vote! Brilliant advice x
Patron saint, at last someone has noticed how important I am! 😂
What a lovely description! The patron saint of picture book illustrators 💛 I agree x
I guess the question is not so much 'Is this normal' (because yes, sometimes this happens) but: 'Is this ACCEPTABLE?'.
When you start out you'll gradually answer that for yourself - like indeed: do you want to work on weekends? Do you want to meet the publisher in person? Do you work in batches or in one go? You'll learn about yourself and then you can inform anyone who wants to work with you about your process and boundaries. They'll respect you for it and be happy about the clear communication. If not, they're not people you want to work with.
Oh yes, is it acceptable is another good question. Yes I agree, setting out your boundaries helps everyone: you and the publisher. And these bad experiences certainly helps everyone you know your poundaries.
This is great, Helen! (Also, it was so lovely to meet you briefly in Berwick.) I'm not in this business not that long (seven years) but I agree with you on almost all the points here (my publishers never brought my WIP stuff to Bologna so I wouldn't know what's normal). But what's normal comes down to common sense, really. Making you wait for feedback for two months when you have a deadline? That's not normal or fair. But I totally get new illustrators feel they have to accept everything people throw at them. Hope your friend is feeling better now. x
Yes, it’s hatred to know what’s acceptable when you first start out isn’t it. But when things go wrong it certainly helps you set out your boundaries.
It was lovely to meet you in Berwick that lovely day! Hx
It's so reassuring to hear about your process! I do the whole thing then go back in and tweak to tie everything together and elevate/ elaborate where necessary. It's very validating to hear that others work in this way as I am just winging it here! 😊 Thank you so much for this post.
Oh yes I love to make the book as a whole then go back and make changes later. I also like to keep the publisher in the loop — just to make sure we weren’t both imagining something completely different. Communication is the key I think. Hx
This is brilliant advice!! I too have had a bad experience and when you’re a newbie it’s really hard to know if this is ‘normal’. X
Yes, we don’t know what to expect at first. And we are so happy to get a foot in the door that we can sometimes accept everything — even when your gut tells you ‘this can’t be right’.
Thanks for sharing Helen, wise words as always - so true to learn to trust my own judgment in what I draw and how I relate to everyone and the world - and bounce back from the hiccups 🌍 🤗 ✍🏻 thank you
Bouncing back is the key. And trusting your instincts. Going through these things definitely helps us set boundaries for next time.
Ahh good advice while I drink my tea 🫖- nice 😊
Ta Sam. Alice is going to email you today about recording a wee chat for Good Ship, I’m very excited to chat soon! Hx
Helen you're such a lovely, generous and inspiring person. Thank you so much for all the brilliant things you share. 🚢♥️
Ah Tara, thank you. Hx
Oh years ago I had a falling out with an agent and she told me that I would never make it on my own. Well 20 years later and I'm still going! Got another agent now with a much nicer attitude.
Ah, good work. That will show her!
Thank you for your really helpful video Helen - you are always so generous and kind. I really hope things improve for the illustrator you spoke to soon. X
I think she is doing alright now. She has taken advice from a few places and got some support now. Thanks for asking.
Really helpful to hear this . I hope the illustrator doesn’t have any more experiences like this
Me too!
It is really tricky starting out to know whether expectations are normal or not. It’s not something often spoken about. So thanks for sharing your experiences! Sorry this illustrator had such a stressful experience and I’m sure next time will be better. ☀️
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been there, and from my experience when things don’t feel normal, it’s a bad sign that will only get worst. I hope the illustrator finds both a better agent, and a better publisher!
Fingers crossed she will have a better experience next time. Hx
what a great pep-talk, Helen! thanks for sharing your 'normal'. I'm wondering if an illustrator needs to check out the work -- and working processes -- of potential publishers/agents, and canvas feedback from people who've worked with them before signing with them. The behaviour of both publisher and agent comes across as immature and unprofessional, especially the weekend turn around deadline!
Yes, that’s really good advice. Explaining how you like to work, and asking their process would be really good way of working out of you are a good match.
Aww Helen that's a very kind, generous post to put up, that poor illustrator... I had a bad experience with an agent. I was given a first project that criminally underpaid and on a stupidly short deadline (over xmas, they saw me coming). I walked away halfway through (they hadn't even graced me with a contract). I felt awful at the time but now so glad I did, it didn't feel right. Current publisher is soooo lovely x
Oh no, that sounds awful. A Christmas deadline! And no contract too. Grrr… Glad you found the right publisher in the end.