Artist Reply: And it's good advice; it's just ...the initial time/finance outlay (cost of not doing other billable work) is too high right now/still. I have a book project offer in my lap and I can't afford the time off to do it (publishers don't do this to illustrators, only newbies...). I DO need to learn how/produce a real portfolio and submit to an agent, I think. You and tasha are right on that, I think.