Hello,
first of all: your husbands passing is really sad, and in all honesty I feel sorry for you.
If you don't mind that I am not in your time-zone (I'm on GMT + 2) I might be helpful. As an Illustrator by trade and a Media-Designer by education (and professional trainer for Media-Designers since 1983, with a German Federal license for the latter) I have a lot of experience in the whole field of pre-print preparation.
You may want to have a look at my ongoing series of artist reference books:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=arcebus
Being an artist myself I am used to work on tight budgets - i.e. I know ways to publish without enormous advance expenses - and I am able to feel into another artists thoughts - not all the time, but quite often.
When I read your brief, I also thought about getting your project(s) founded, and I think that there might be a way to get that done.
Concerning myself - I can't afford to work for free, but I'm willing to negotiate to find a "comfort zone" both for you and me.
I would really appreciate if you would contact me.
All the best,
Herm