Need some advice

I have not posted in quite some time. I have finally finished up my fine arts degree. Yeah. I do need some advice. I was asked to do an illustration for a tribute to darth vader. I am excited but I don't know the proper questions to ask. A guy from another blog saw my work from a month ago and asked me to participate. Should I be wary or look at this as an opportunity? Also what pertinent questions should I ask. I anyone had time to look his comment is the last one on my post for IF Legendary. There is link to his blog there. Thanks for your help.

Illustrating Self Published Books

Happy May! Hope the spring months are treating you artists well!

I have a friend of a friend inquiring about my illustrations. She has no desire to be a writer, but has written a children's book and wants to self publish to give the book to friends and family as gifts. She is interested in having me do the illustrations but I have a few reservations.

Is the amount of work put into this project worth it? As someone very much still starting out, is this considered good experience and something to put into a portfolio, or is this a bad business decision? Nikki I know you have been published before, is the little-to-no-pay self published route one to try to get my feet wet?

Advice and opinions please.