Hi Jenn. First thanks for this blog. Idk how to keep going in pub though. I’m an illustrator of ten years, worked w/all the big pubs with my illo agency who I left last year to make the leap to author my own stuff. I have several great relationships with editors and a portfolio that (should??) tick all the boxes. I have a few imho decent book ideas and dummies too. My quest to get an agent has been so blah. Mostly “this is great work but not quite right for me” and radio silence. It’s a hard job as an agent and ridiculous level of work so I’m not mad about that. Everyone is hanging on by a thread in this industry and I have respect for them all esp in this day and age. I just…thought I’d have an agent by now? Now I see all the bad news in pub and it makes me even more depressed. I’ll always keep chugging along. But. like everyone else, I do like the validation that my work mean something and I want to see something come of my hard work but it’s like an uphill battle and I’m stuck in the mud at the bottom. I’m not trying to be boo hoo but I really thought this would be easier. Every job is hard but add in a level of AI threat, subjectiveness, awful economy, insane competition and it’ll beat you up. I guess this is just a vent but thank you so much for your work and here’s to hoping things improve someday.

I hear you! I'm sorry you're going through it. It's a tough business, for sure. I hope the venting made you feel a little better!You might consider doing a Portfolio Review through something like the Illustration Department or an SCBWI conference; they do cost money, but it might be worth it to get unbiased pro eyes on your portfolio / dummies to see if there is anything missing that might be holding you back. Also, I don't know how active on social media you are, but if you ARE, do be sure t...