Gonna tidy this up sometime later.
It’s been an altogether frustrating day. I didn’t get the illustration job in the end. I asked for her budget, and told her the going price guidelines for illustrations in books, and that I knew they were high so I was willing to be paid less - and I got slashed down for it. I feel completely hopeless because I don’t like underselling art, but I was willing to do so, and it still didn’t help anything. Instead it was implied I was being rude for overcharging as her friend’s illustrator was charging cheaper. But I was willing - that part seemed to have slipped under. It was a good chance to get out there, but instead it seems everything is my fault, when I was open to any cost. :(
