Rate Expectations

On Fees, Contracts, and Negotiation for Children’s Book Illustration

Years ago, I took to social media (strike one) and posted (strike two) a break-down of fees illustrators should expect from children’s book publishers. The fees were, and I was clear about this, the least you should expect. I thought, Hey, let me just publicly share the illustration fees I know are true and accurate. It might help someone! And that, my friends, was strike three.

The post no longer exists. It went viral in an instant. I’ve had my fair share of viral posts before, for better or worse. Mostly worse. As is usually the case with a viral post, the first dozen or so responses were quite positive. “Wow thanks!” “I’m bookmarking this!” And then, the post (and my mental health) slammed into a mountain of psychoses.

Strangers and sociopaths alike began responding with everything from “aren’t these rates low” to “you don’t know what you’re talking about” to “this guy is full of shit”. Someone even posted an image of Mr. Rogers putting on a clown mask.

We live in a bizarre time…

At any rate (ha), I deleted the post. So, why am I doing this again? I don’t know. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.