Abstract

"Drawing pictures all day. Nice work if you can get it, eh? I suppose you haven't had so much time to focus on a proper career..."

This witty, insightful graphic novel explores the challenges faced by artists in today's society, through the life of a comics creator named Tariq. Creative block is the least of Tariq's worries, as he struggles to be a `good enough' father while pursuing a career that is underpaid and underappreciated. Swapping notes with other parents in creative professions, and driven by his artistic muse, Tariq maps out a plan for making his art and his other responsibilities work together in harmony - most of the time.

Balancing creativity and parenting is no easy task, and Richy K. Chandler explores the challenges in When Are You Going to Get a Proper Job?. Part autobiographical story and part self help book, it's a fantastic mix of enjoyable and engaging story and genuinely useful advice on making the most of your time if you're an artist or creative...There are a lot of positive messages in here as well as being a fun and interesting read.
Alex Thomas, Pipedream Comics
Funny, informative and insightful. In an era of zero hours contracts, a must read for anyone interested in how artists juggle their work / life balance and manage to come out smiling...
Alex Fitch, Broadcast Journalist, Presenter of Panel Borders on Resonance FM
This is a collection of short comics about the difficulties of raising a child, family life and trying to be an artist but most of it could apply to other creatives equally(...) This is a unique comic with its self-help truthful stories which inspire and are told in an imaginative art style.
David Jenkins, Comic Book News UK
When my son was born, I felt there was no one in my circle who understood the stresses I was having between creating art and parenting. Richy K. Chandler has articulated so many of my tensions and contradictory thoughts in his fantastic graphic novel.
Sarah Lightman: Artist, Eisner-winning author, Curator (Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women), Comics Scholar
A witty yet poignant exploration of the challenges, frustrations and ultimate triumphs of juggling a creative career with the responsibilities of parenthood. An inspiring use of the form to communicate and share experience with an ever accessible and thoroughly engaging visual approach.
Andy Oliver, Editor-in-Chief, Broken Frontier
All parents will be able to relate to the struggles of balancing work and family that are explored in this book. But it will be all the more poignant and helpful to those in the creative field. An honest, funny and informative guide to parenting and the creative muse.
Kripa Joshi, Illustrator and Comic Artist (Miss Moti)
Takes on the tricky mix of deep love and deep frustration that come with balancing two labors of love ... This is required reading for any parenting artist who's in the thick of it.
Cultural ReProducers
Chandler has created a believable mouthpiece for his thoughts and ideas on the creative person's struggles (...) the conversations in the book sound like genuine conversations between like-minded people (...) and they build up methods for coping with the difficulties achieving the balance between parenting and creating. The artwork serves the purpose of being warm, friendly and accessible, so that the ideas can easily be grasped and conveyed (...) Chandler allows the combination of words and pictures to tell the story without resorting to flash or excessive complexity (...) this book is warm and thoughtful, informative and charming - it perfectly relates the struggles of the balance of being creative and work/family that is understandable even if you don't have children (...) Chandler has struck a universal chord in a visually engaging manner. This book has a lot to say and it says it in an entertaining fashion, and it has something of value for anyone who makes art for a living and their families.
David Norman, Clandestine Critic