Lookie there:
Collaborative Book by L.K.Ludwig
I’d just about forgotten. Don’t have a clue what it’s going to look like – how they portrayed it – but I guess I’ll have to BUY a copy to find out. The downside of submitting work to these things. Not only do they get your work for free but you have the “honour” of paying to see it in print. I dunno. Something’s wrong with this picture, don’t you think?!? Still. Your work in colour. For all to see. The posterity of the thing. I guess.
Heh! And I just realized, this is the only photograph I have of the project, the rest died with my computer. And this isn’t even the finished product. I really must remember to store photos on the server. *sheesh*
Hi Jen,
Great interview, wonderful, wonderful piece and of course great questions here. No it’s not sour grape. If you wrote a chapter in an edited book there is usually payment and at least a copy of the book. So no, it’s not sour grapes, it makes a lot of sense!
The book IS lovely by the way!
Thanks Lani. I’m sure it is a great book as there are some wonderful contributors included!
Hey Jen, I’m pretty sure we do get a comp copy. I’ll contact LK about it. In the past, when I’ve been a contributor to a book, I’ve always got a free copy…even though it sometimes takes a while to get it! Also, I have the photos you initially sent me. I’ll get them to you. I didn’t realize you’d lost everything-ugh! I’ve got to tell you, again, your assemblage is just incredible. I wish I could see it in person…open the drawer, feel the textures.
Hey Deryn! Maybe you will as you were the “named” participant. I got an email from the publisher saying “Contributor discount….” yadayada. It’s all good.
Well, first congrats on being published, and no, what you said didn’t sound like sour grapes at all. I always assumed contributors got a free book out of the deal, at the very least, I have to say that I’m surprised at that one. Even though a 50% discount is “nice”, you get to donate the artwork for publication and then pay to see it in print?? Nothing more to say that hasn’t been said already, except that I’m thrilled to be able to sit in my studio, look across the table, and see my “Jen wall”, that’ll always best a book:)
Sue, I think some book publishers provide complimentary copies. And again, I appreciate that churning out books isn’t a get rich quick scheme. I just feel there has to be a better way for the contributing artists to be remunerated. And I’m thrilled that you’re thrilled with your “Jen wall”.
Hey, Jen. Congrats on a GREAT collaborative piece!! I got my book yesterday and can’t wait to give it more than a quick flip through. It looks like a really good one. Your collaboration with Deryn was super. I will send you some scans from the book so you can see how it looks. So, you don’t get a complimentary copy of the book? I thought we would (I guess that is just doable for magazines.) Anyway, I’m finishing up a blog post about the book and will have some pics and a word or two about your piece. I think it’s awesome.
Thanks for your kind words Sally and I’d love to see how the piece looks in the book!
An interesting point here to be raised that i was unaware of. I guess i just assumed the artists got paid too
. That is somewhat unfortunate the way that the fruits of an artists labour, the means to their livelyhood, are being used and the artist does not get paid. I understand that there isn’t much money, but i still find it sad.
Also, i just love the pic you posted there. I LOVE the little vials… what’s inside them? looks like teeth?
Dale, consider it a Public Service Announcement.
The vials were filled by Deryn with items that pertain to her necklace, which isn’t shown here. From what I remember there weren’t teeth but I could be mistaken, as it’s been a year since I’ve seen the finished piece!
Uh huh…
nod nod..
I guess it comes down to these things being a resume builder..those acts of art that accumulate into something later on. The marketing gurus in advertising call it “cumulative audience response” where a certain product is seen a certain number of times, and it then results in a customer action. It’s almost a mathematical thing. Math don’t pay the rent, but… your an artist and its in your blood, love… we wont be stopping!
It certainly wouldn’t stop me from creating, D. I don’t think that’d ever happen. (but never say never, right?!?) I just figure there has to be a better way for EVERYONE to come out ahead. Not sure how though.
How does this come about? Were you asked to participate in a group collaboration and then someone in the group decided to publish the art or was it that a publisher approached a bunch of you to do the art and put it in a book? Still, I think that if you are IN that book, they should at the very LEAST offer you a discount, right? I can see what you mean though. And, I agree with you that publishing is not a get rich quick scheme. I self-published a book about my granddaughter that I wrote and illustrated and it was very expensive and then I felt guilty having to ask my friends to BUY one if they wanted one because I just couldn’t afford to fork out all that money as GIFTS to everyone. HMMMM…what to do, I agree! You’re too funny: RICE…Rest, ice, COMPLAIN!!! I know better. But, all that work “maybe” going up in smoke? No way, hopefully. You’re too much of a fighter from what I can see.
I was contacted by my co-collaborator, Deryn Mentock, Teri as she had received a “Call for Art” from the author. I’m pretty sure Rockport publishing (parent company Quayside: http://www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com/) has a section on their website for upcoming books, calls for art etc.
And in all fairness I do get a 50% discount on books. But it’s the riding on the coat tails of the contributors, both as publisher and as author, that I wonder about. I appreciate that some artists are quite happy just to have their name out there. But if you’re dependent on the income… well, a pat on the back doesn’t put food on the table, ya know?
I’ve already been down this road a few times and it continues to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. In fact, I had decided NOT to participate in any Calls but Deryn’s challenge proved too much for me – create a holder for a piece of her jewelry – I couldn’t resist!
I should just probably shut up about it now.
An interesting issue to ponder. But can I also say that this glimpse of your piece makes me want to see more!
I wish I could give you more than a glimpse Seth. I’d like to see it again too! (the piece is with Deryn)
And yes, the publishing game confounds me.
Ah, you bring up a very good subject for discussion.
I’d love to get a large group of artists together, pose the questions and hear the varying points of view.
Lisa, I debated on whether to say anything because I KNOW it sounds like sour grapes. And I also know that being in the book publishing business definitely isn’t a get rich quick scheme. But I still can’t help but wonder why the contributing artists of these collaborative-type books seem to keep getting the short end of the stick. But maybe I’m the only one that thinks this way?!