how to properly bail on a job
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- dobi
never been faced with this problem before...
so, i'm working on illustrating a book for a major publisher. assumed the job would just be about 50-60 spot illustrations in black and white, no big deal. done this before.
the amount of money we (me and the author) initially agreed on wasn't great but i figured i could bang out the job in a month or so. 4 months later and this thing isn't anywhere near done. i haven't exactly been constantly working on it due to the authors lack of communication. i only work on it now and again because i rarely hear from him. the amount of pointless revisions is getting retarded and honestly, i don't really care about the money, this is just a headache everyday.
at this point all i have done is about 25 sketches, maybe 5 of which are approved.
no contract has ever been signed and i feel like this might take another 3 months which i'm honestly not willing to put into it.
what is the proper way to bail?
my only concern is never getting work from the publisher again.
- maximillion_0
dont bail if you want future work - talk to them
- capn_ron0
It's never easy to communicate to clients that the agreed dollar amount has been "spent". I do know that if you are up front and honest, the clients will usually make sure you are happy (aka: more money) and you will feel better too. It is way better to communicate to keep the possiblity of future work alive.
- arthur0
Are you working with/for the author or the publisher? Or are they one and the same?
In the books I've worked on, I try to keep as far away from the author as possible. Best to let the publisher be the go-between. Not sure what your situation is.
- dobi0
been working directly with the author, which in the past has never been a problem. (then again i guess james fitzgerald understands this shit)
i think i am going to directly contact the publisher and tell them that i've been put through the ringer enough already with this job and they need to pony up if they want to keep me on board (but in a polite way)
- kerus0
this is where you tell him the scope and length of this project has changed from what was opriginally discussed....
you then ask for more money and a deadline and make it worth your time and manageable.
- TResudek0
If the author is as you say, the publisher is probably well aware of it already. What is most important to remember is that the publisher is your friend and the author is of no consequence. Do what it takes to make the publisher happy and f*** the author.
A frank conversation about the original scope of the project and the ongoing work issue will probably get you in the right place with the publisher.
TR
- arthur0
Totally agree - just be upfront with the publisher - they know authors can be flaky, demanding, etc.
- CALLES0
inviting to a scientology seminar... but then again it might backfrie
- linearch0
not to be an ass, but you should have gotten the scope of work (including iterations, revisions and specific timeline for illys and feedback) in a signed contract before you started the job. i've learned this lesson by being in your shoes......sucks...hope it works out for you.
- chossy0
it's simple tell them and your author to hurry the fuck up or you walk.
During edits I have to constantly tell people to hurry up and make decisions or they will run out of money and time, be brave and simply say you guys are taking the piss sign off or fuck off.
- ninjasavant0
step 1: cut a hole in a box
step 2: put your junk in that box
step 3: make him open the box
step 4:dick in a box.