When you are a creative person, there are often many things that you can do. If you act, you are likely able to sing or play an instrument, maybe you dance or write. Maybe you’re even handy and are secretly a knitting champion. The point is, you may have many talents, but you must know your limitations. Mine have always been drawing. I can do many things, but I can’t draw myself out of a box. So, once I needed an illustrator, I knew it was time for me to outsource. First, I tried a popular freelancer website. Look, I’m a baller on a budget and I believe in always finding the most cost-effective option first. Besides, this site was very helpful when I was editing the book. There are some very talented people there, but I was looking for a particular style and that made it hard to find. Also, did you know that you can reach out to people, offer them jobs, and they will literally not even respond to you? Yea, it’s a thing. Who offers an artist money for their creation, and they just don’t answer? Let me tell you, most artists live for the validation of someone willing to pay for their work. I remember being paid just $25 dollars to act in a show when I was a kid and let me tell you, I was over the moon for that $25! Ok, yes, I know now that I was grossly underpaid, but the point is artists live to be paid for their work. It’s like a monetary standing ovation and who doesn’t want that?! So, once I was ghosted by an illustrator, I knew I needed to step up my game.
I searched many websites looking for other experienced illustrators and I couldn’t find someone whose style was what I was looking for. Finally, in a late night online search, I stumbled upon a website for a young woman in Ecuador named Nadia Ronquillo. Nadia had an amazing website. What really drew me in was that she would walk me through the whole process of getting my book published on the proper sites. She had a lot of experience illustrating and publishing books. I knew with Nadia; I would be in good hands. The key to starting any successful business is a good team. If you surround yourself with people that are smarter or more experienced than you the sky is the limit. I am here to report that Nadia has been AMAZING, and she is an excellent collaborator. If you want to know more about her, check out our interview below. Talk to you soon!
View the full interview with Nadia Ronquillo below!
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