TESTS & TRYOUTS

An artist recently insisted he should never do a tryout for a book; the editor, he explained, should simply give him the assignment based on his existing portfolio on our website.

So I said, “Let me understand this…you want the assignment without doing a test to see if you’re right for it?”

“Yes, it’s a matter of pride.  I shouldn’t have to audition.”

I explained, “O.K. But consider the other point of view:  If you try out for a book, and ultimately you don’t get the assignment because you’re not exactly jelling with what the editor and writer need, there’s no harm done.  You just didn’t fit that title, no problem, move on, and you can sell your sample art on eBay and make money from it.

“BUT…if they actually HIRE you for the job, and you turn in pages and they’re not right and can’t be made right, then suddenly you are FIRED in disgrace because you can’t do the job the way the editor needs.  You look foolish because you’ve been hired, publicized, then dropped like a hot potato.  Do you really think being disgraced is better for your pride?”

“Oh… I never thought about it that way.”

So, he did a sample but didn’t get that job.  Two weeks later, he did samples for another project and was a great fit.  He ended up with a year-long assignment paying a bit more than the first opportunity did.  He’s still drawing it.