That's fantastic advice! Thank you for the insight. Do you mind if I quote you in the post (with a link of course)? I think 1 is particularly interesting, and it works well for people coming into an established agency, or for agents setting up their own. But of course there are agents who come into it from the space of having worked with an agent as an illustrator. That was the case with my last agent, and while I think they were overall a good agency with several years of experience at this point, I'll say that lack of guidance did show from time to time.
I applied even this year for representation, but wether it was not a good fit or it was not the right time. It looks like I am on my own in the moment. Which is not a bad thing. I will try to manage the freelance career by myself. 🙃🫣😬
Honestly I think it's a good thing to build up some experience on your own. I initially went straight into representation, and while it was great to have additional support, I think some things were far more stressful because I didn't know how to fill in the gaps, nor how to properly advocate for myself. Relying on an agency for everything gives up a lot of your control to someone else with their own interests.
That said, I see your work and communication getting stronger and stronger so it's only a matter of time!
I have 3 bosses at home 😆 I am a servant anyway. It’s nice at least in one area of my life to have the say. Last summer, as Robin was only 1 month old, I got a request for a job the evening before we were about to leave home for 6 weeks. I packed an additional bag with paper, pastels, the light box and did the job on the road the following week. And it was great. But I can imagine I would have hated it, if the decision was not 100% me.
That was terrific advice, thank you Jennifer! I'm also starting out in the kidlit world, and looking for an agent has crossed my mind. You answered a lot of my questions regarding that, now it's a matter of figuring out if it's the right time to find an agent :)
That's fantastic advice! Thank you for the insight. Do you mind if I quote you in the post (with a link of course)? I think 1 is particularly interesting, and it works well for people coming into an established agency, or for agents setting up their own. But of course there are agents who come into it from the space of having worked with an agent as an illustrator. That was the case with my last agent, and while I think they were overall a good agency with several years of experience at this point, I'll say that lack of guidance did show from time to time.
Fantastic advice as always Jennifer xx
Thanks Sam! The new one is up now 🙈😅
Thank you Jennifer, wonderful post. Light on on one of the BIG Questions for just starting illustrators. It’s scary and exciting in the same moment.
Very! And it can be super stressful to really advocate for yourself when that happens!
I applied even this year for representation, but wether it was not a good fit or it was not the right time. It looks like I am on my own in the moment. Which is not a bad thing. I will try to manage the freelance career by myself. 🙃🫣😬
Honestly I think it's a good thing to build up some experience on your own. I initially went straight into representation, and while it was great to have additional support, I think some things were far more stressful because I didn't know how to fill in the gaps, nor how to properly advocate for myself. Relying on an agency for everything gives up a lot of your control to someone else with their own interests.
That said, I see your work and communication getting stronger and stronger so it's only a matter of time!
Thank you Jennifer ♥️
I have 3 bosses at home 😆 I am a servant anyway. It’s nice at least in one area of my life to have the say. Last summer, as Robin was only 1 month old, I got a request for a job the evening before we were about to leave home for 6 weeks. I packed an additional bag with paper, pastels, the light box and did the job on the road the following week. And it was great. But I can imagine I would have hated it, if the decision was not 100% me.
That was terrific advice, thank you Jennifer! I'm also starting out in the kidlit world, and looking for an agent has crossed my mind. You answered a lot of my questions regarding that, now it's a matter of figuring out if it's the right time to find an agent :)
Haha this career comes with a lot of tough choices! But you know what they say, knowledge is power! 💪
for sure!
Such a brilliant post, thank you! Lots of great advice x
You're very welcome!