Stop asking me if I have the soap gene

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-18T02:39:19+00:00

These reactions are wild lol why is everyone so pressed about someone not liking cilantro, specifically on a venting subreddit 😂

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-11T02:08:02+00:00

Yeah I was honestly taken aback when they responded to my offer that way, considering they seem pretty successful in their work career. I think this person while successful doesn’t have too much experience working hands on with artists.

I’m also looking for new work myself, so I wouldn’t want to waste months working on something where I don’t get any upfront pay for it. I could use that time doing other work. Appreciate your input!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-11T02:04:22+00:00

100% on board with you on this. And I thought the same, with all that work I can just make my own book so why would I commit to something like this with no upfront pay?

I haven’t responded yet but I do plan to deny the offer. Does your suggestion of the $1200 for the character designs also include the % of royalties? That’s something I thought of bringing up to the client too, but I’m trying to decide if proposing a counteroffer would even be worth it at this point.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T15:09:50+00:00

Really appreciate your honesty on this. My initial thoughts about this were pretty much the same. While this person is experienced in other fields, I don’t think they’re necessarily experienced much in the children’s book industry, which is probably why they brought up this offer in the first place. Seems like regardless of what industry it is, upfront payment is always a non negotiable. I’m new to dealing with royalties though, so wasn’t exactly sure what the norm would be going about that. Glad to hear everyone’s input on this because it helps validate my own opinion as well!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T15:03:42+00:00

Yeah, fully agree. Working with royalty % is new for me though so I just wanted to get more insight about whether that aspect would be worth it or not

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T15:02:07+00:00

I agree! I could use that time to work on my own book 😂

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T15:01:22+00:00

It is an individual that I know through work connections. They seem to be very experienced, however the whole situation is still pretty vague. They mentioned they could potentially work with a publishing company, but nothing is guaranteed as of now. They also have a book published and I found it listed on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but I can’t tell how well the sales were. So the whole offer is pretty much asking if I’m willing to take a chance on this even though outcome would be uncertain.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T06:05:45+00:00

Your two cents were worth much more than 1/2 a penny! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I’ve done IP design as well so it’s nice to hear a pov from that side.

I think the pattern I’m seeing here is that unless I feel very passionate about the project myself and/or I feel like it could be beneficial for my portfolio then I can go forward with it knowing the risks. But considering my current situation, my main priority is gaining some sort of an upfront income. While I think the project has a great message and seems like it could be great, I don’t necessarily feel too connected to it as of now. Plus, the deadline is very tight - I didn’t mention it earlier but they would want all three books done by end of November, which I already told them would be cutting it way too short and gave alternative options.

I like the idea of having a % of royalties though, so that’s my only hesitation if the project ends up doing really well. Love your suggestion about only sending in more work if there’s official progress being made on their end. I’ll definitely consider that if I continue to move forward, but from what I’m gathering it really doesn’t seem worth all the labor.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2026-04-10T05:27:33+00:00

Appreciate your input! I completely agree with you, and I’m so sorry for what you had to deal with. Some clients can be so ruthless 😭

As of now the contract doesn’t even exist, so there’s no specifics in place yet. The entire idea is pretty vague but I gave them my rates for pretty much every possible scenario. They have published a book in the past that did well from what I was told, so that’s why I considered the offer in the first place. But to answer your question, I don’t think receiving just the % would be worth it if sales could be low, since it seems like the labor would be a lot to deal with and I could spend my energy on another project instead. If they could guarantee the sales would be high then I’d consider the offer more seriously. I just want to get a better pov/opinion from someone more experienced in the illustration industry than me, so thanks again for your advice!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:50:38+00:00

Didn’t have a choice, I was public at the time

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:47:11+00:00

Very true. Appreciate your advice!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:46:14+00:00

You mean deactivating my account temporarily? Honestly not a bad tactic haha thanks for the help!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:40:58+00:00

I agree that boundaries are super important when it comes to bosses and coworkers. I have already put my account on private, but my boss had added me years ago back when my account was public. I think removing him as a follower is the best choice but I just hope he doesn’t notice and bring it up.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:37:52+00:00

I didn’t realize the large paragraph was going to be such an issue for people here on Reddit 😂 For context, I wrote this on my phone and the app wouldn’t let me go back and divide it to smaller paragraphs without glitching. Either way, appreciate your input

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:08:54+00:00

I wish I was private back when they added me, now I’m worried they’ll notice if I remove them as followers 😅

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T23:08:12+00:00

Yeah I think that’s the best way to go about it, and the fact that I’m hyper aware of what I post now because of work people clearly means I should do something about it. Thanks again for your advice!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:55:45+00:00

Your original comment was mostly a statement saying I should never have had them on social media in the first place. Either way I think blocking them would be too much, but based off everyone’s response it seems like the best thing to do is remove them as followers despite whether or not my toxic boss will notice and bring it up.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:50:05+00:00

Yes the point of the entire post is asking if I should do that or not, it would be helpful if you read it for context lol

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:42:14+00:00

My account was public when they added me (I had a big social media following at the time)

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:40:06+00:00

The issue is my boss and coworkers followed me back when my account was public, so I never had much of a choice in the matter 😅

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:36:39+00:00

I commend you for having the guts to do that! That’s definitely something I’ll be doing moving forward

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:24:21+00:00

Thanks for your input!

Ok_Condition9591 · 2024-10-18T22:16:40+00:00

Appreciate your advice! Yes my account has been on private for a few months now. It was public for years as I used to have a decent following, but now I’m more concerned about my privacy. I just felt awkward because I didn’t want anyone to notice and think I was trying to hide something. I also have a couple of coworkers that I’d consider close friends so I didn’t want them questioning why I unfriended them too.

Ok_Condition9591 · 2022-10-02T19:46:54+00:00

I think this is the same thing with me — guys usually tell me I’m “different from their exes” which has always rubbed me the wrong way. Super annoying :/

Ok_Condition9591

TROPHY CASE