Should I take the job or not? Please help!

[Enni Heikura]

Hello!

Yesterday, I was offered the opportunity to illustrate a children's book that is Christian, meaning it has religious themes. The fee is a $2,000 advance plus a 5% royalty on net profits. I'm not really considering the fee; I would gladly accept projects for less since I have only illustrated one (still unpublished) book.

What concerns me is that the book is heavily religious. I belong to the church, but I can't say that I'm religious otherwise. I wonder if I'm the right person to illustrate a book on this theme since religion isn't very important to me.

Secondly, if I illustrate the book, will my style be labeled as a religious illustrator, especially since I haven't illustrated any previous books? My preference would be to illustrate neutral children's books without a strong religious orientation, but on the other hand, it feels like since this opportunity has been offered, should I take the job?

Does anyone have similar experiences or thoughts on this matter? Thank you in advance

[MarcRobinson]

@Enni-Heikura hi! Now firstly I need to clarify that this is only my opinion, and as I haven't illustrated a published children's book before this should be taken with a grain of salt. I did a paid art test for a Christian children's book publisher (didn't get the gig) and I had the same reservations. However eventually my thinking changed. At this early stage in my career a paid children's book gig with a real publisher should not be rejected easily. It's hard to steer a parked car and getting any momentum forward has to be a positive. As long as the story is good and doesn't conflict with any ethical values, and the fee is acceptable then it's all good. There is a danger in being too picky too early. That was my thinking, but every person is different. Wishing you all the best.

[MarcRobinson]

@Enni-Heikura also being able to demonstrate to other publishers that you've done it all before can only be a good thing, I'm assuming. If you've been through the whole art direction, communication, supplying art, contracts etc then you'll look like less of a risk to your more preferable publishers going forward. Just thoughts.

[Enni Heikura]

@MarcRobinson Thank you very much for your insights, Marc!

I might be overthinking the Christian theme; if the illustrations reflect my style, it probably won’t be categorized strictly by religion based on just one book. Also, you made a good point that since it’s a publishing house, there’s a strong incentive to take on the project. I replied to her and asked what kind of book it will be; she hadn’t mentioned anything besides the title earlier. I’m also not picky about the payment; I’m not sure if the $2,000 advance plus a 5% royalty on net profits is good or not, but at this stage, it doesn’t matter too much to me.

Thanks again and let's see how this goes

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Enni-Heikura hi! One book will not typecast you for the rest of your career. However, it seems that you really don’t want to illustrate this book. That should be enough reason to turn it down. This is not your only chance to get started. Something else will come along again. Don’t accept anything you don’t want to do. All the best!

[Enni Heikura]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Thank you for your perspective, Nyrryl!

It’s not that I absolutely don't want to illustrate the book. I believe every project is an opportunity to learn and grow as an illustrator. My only concern was precisely about being labeled, as I have no prior experience in the field, so I was worried that illustrating a Christian book might lead to being seen exclusively as an illustrator of Christian books. So, it’s not about not wanting to do it. And I don't know when or what kind of next opportunity will come, so I can’t be so picky as to expect my first project to be a dream project for me. Anyway, great points from you, really appreciate!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Enni-Heikura hi Enni. Like I said one book will not type cast you. However, I don’t want you to think that you have to accept every opportunity that comes along just because you’re new and inexperienced. In my experience, that’s how horror stories start. Not all illustration work is gonna help you.

I don’t really have an investment whichever option you choose. Choose whichever is best for you. Just remember one project won’t typecast you, don’t accept everything that comes onto your plate just because you want experience, and don’t do anything you don’t want to. Anyway, good luck on whichever you choose.

[Enni Heikura]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Yes, you're right about that, thank you for the advice and support! I asked the publisher for a bit more information on what the book will be like, and I’ll decide after that whether it feels like a good fit for me.