Wow… as someone just starting out with agent queries and looking to do book cover illustrations and graphic novels, it is admittedly discouraging to hear that even those with the network and work experience are having trouble getting new gigs (but also incredibly helpful to know the silence is a mutual experience… it’s not just me). I am working on my own things in the meantime but… how do we keep our head high when the illustration world feels so bleak?
While it absolutely sucks that things have been slow, it's reassuring in a way that it's slow for everyone and that it's not your work preventing you from getting jobs. I haven't had any book projects this year, which concerns me, but I've used that time to work on my portfolio and learn new skills, lately small animations that I can add into my work. I'm hoping that that will pay off somewhere along the way.
Thank you so so much for sharing this! I'm currently planning my 2025 and thinking a lot about what I need and/or want to do. I always get extremely anxious whenever I am in a "dry-season" but reading your text got me wondering how I could be focusing on many of the solutions you brought instead. Hope we can both feel more secure and fulfilled next year ☆
Wow… as someone just starting out with agent queries and looking to do book cover illustrations and graphic novels, it is admittedly discouraging to hear that even those with the network and work experience are having trouble getting new gigs (but also incredibly helpful to know the silence is a mutual experience… it’s not just me). I am working on my own things in the meantime but… how do we keep our head high when the illustration world feels so bleak?
So glad to know I am not alone in this. We are both signed to the same agency and have been worried.
While it absolutely sucks that things have been slow, it's reassuring in a way that it's slow for everyone and that it's not your work preventing you from getting jobs. I haven't had any book projects this year, which concerns me, but I've used that time to work on my portfolio and learn new skills, lately small animations that I can add into my work. I'm hoping that that will pay off somewhere along the way.
Full of helpful, practice goodness. Thank you. 😁👌
I hope your plans go smoothly and that 2025 is even better than you expect, but mostly that you have a fantastic time snuggling with your newbie. 💛
Thank you so so much for sharing this! I'm currently planning my 2025 and thinking a lot about what I need and/or want to do. I always get extremely anxious whenever I am in a "dry-season" but reading your text got me wondering how I could be focusing on many of the solutions you brought instead. Hope we can both feel more secure and fulfilled next year ☆