Going begging

Interesting to read in The Guardian that John Updike used to badger cartoonists for free artwork as a kid. All cartoonists get begging letters. But I don't think any of those that have written to me will go on to be acclaimed writers, because they usually say things like "i think you're stuffs cool. LOL. can u do me a cartoon i cant pay". The best part is always "it'll be good exposure".