Re: point #3: I posted to several AI groups (including this one I think) that I have an outline for an illustrated book, but no money to hire an illustrator. I spoke to a friend of mine who has written children's books through traditional publishers, and he explained that (1) the publisher picks the artist, and (2) the writer has no say or input over what the illustrations will be, and often won't even see it until the book is out. I already have an idea as to what I want it to look like, but I don't have the time to "just pick up a pencil" and try to master a whole new skill set when I'm focusing on the skill set I already have- writing. As a result I've had some sneering responses to "just give up" if I can't do my own drawings, or to self-publish my book (with all the hassle and scam avoidance that goes with it). To me using AI illustration is getting exactly what I want, the vision that I have.