K. Williams's Blog - Posts Tagged "earnings"
The reality that Writers Face
I found this article yesterday and was struck by how timely. I have been posting about how many expect my books to cost much less than I charge (we're talking 1980s children's paperback or free). I also paint, sketch and photograph. These too are expected to net me less than a few cents. In this mix, there seems to be a pervading sense of "Well, you're not a real writer or photographer though..." as if something magical happens along the path of publication and printing that ordains you 'official'. I don't mean to indicate malice on the part of anyone, but rather seek to uncover the cause in such perceptions. I think Sara Sheridan has captured it here in her short article.
Sheridan finds there is a perception that writing is art (which I agree with), but that somehow asking for money to purchase the art somehow "sullies it" (which I don't agree with, considering painters, actors, directors, designers, etc.). It rather seems that there is a perception, this 'dirtying of the expression' or "soiling the art," that makes way for "in order to keep you pure and honest, we'll have to deny you compensation for the use of your hard work, while we instead make all the gains." This is especially true, it appears, in the publishing industry where the most money made is by the administration who had nothing to do with the creation of the book to begin with, but give themselves a nice hefty pat on the back for its discovery. I'm wondering: what is it that editors do anyway? I ask this mainly because a book needs to arrive to them in pristine condition (already edited) or it goes to slush. I suppose, from reading experience, their job is now in polishing the book into their idea of what it should be, so they then have a neat little row of money makers that are indistinguishable, but guaranteed income. This confuses me though. If sales are plummeting, why continue in such a manner? Evidence suggests that people are not reading much anymore, and how can they with working 3 jobs to survive and caring for a family while getting a higher education degree part-time? The real reason isn't that they have no time, because they will find the time. Trust me. The reason is, there is nothing to read. Each book they pick up is a virtual copy of the last, names and places altered, a tiny shift in plot, a male protagonist instead of a female, etc. It's like the publishing houses are busy playing mad-libs with one manuscript they bought in 1950. It's boring. Television and movies provide quicker and more explosive experiences that just cannot be beaten by these cookie-cutter machinations of novels.
Additionally, writers are slipping away, retreating to the Indie realm in droves. They get paid 20% more at least (which is still not enough), but the rest goes to producing the work and maintaining copies in a warehouse for shipment. Ink and paper are not cheap. Not to mention, the enthusiastic team that helps you through the process (like my team at Createspace). I've cringed at independent authors lambasting firms for not accepting returns, but most publishers don't. Most authors are not carried in most bookstores either, regardless of who prints them. Honestly, they would have to be much larger facilities to do that. However, the reality is, that you pay, or should pay, very little to put your book out (less than $500, if you can manage a cover on your own or find someone who can for less than $200). This cost does not include the much needed editor (about $1,500-$2,000). Don't you dare publish without one you can trust, either. You'll need one anyway, if you insist on a traditional root, just another reason to skip traditional publishing.
I know what you're going to say, but publishing houses have access to sales and promotion. Yes, they do, but for their big name 'stars' who they're still only paying under 10% . You will not get a whirlwind book tour unless you book it and pay for it. That's the rude and obnoxious reality. And, you won't be paid more than a pittance for your years of frustration, hard effort, education, research and literal labor.
I highly recommend independent publishing, and leaving the big tops to their celebrity tell all books. Besides, they commission work from hired writers, not authors on the street. They already know the book they want and are just looking for "the writer on staff" to do it. Lastly, don't sweat it. Write what you love and write as best as you can. It's going to be a long road anyway.
"What Writers Earn: A Cultural Myth" by Sara Sheridan, HuffPo -
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sara-...
Sheridan finds there is a perception that writing is art (which I agree with), but that somehow asking for money to purchase the art somehow "sullies it" (which I don't agree with, considering painters, actors, directors, designers, etc.). It rather seems that there is a perception, this 'dirtying of the expression' or "soiling the art," that makes way for "in order to keep you pure and honest, we'll have to deny you compensation for the use of your hard work, while we instead make all the gains." This is especially true, it appears, in the publishing industry where the most money made is by the administration who had nothing to do with the creation of the book to begin with, but give themselves a nice hefty pat on the back for its discovery. I'm wondering: what is it that editors do anyway? I ask this mainly because a book needs to arrive to them in pristine condition (already edited) or it goes to slush. I suppose, from reading experience, their job is now in polishing the book into their idea of what it should be, so they then have a neat little row of money makers that are indistinguishable, but guaranteed income. This confuses me though. If sales are plummeting, why continue in such a manner? Evidence suggests that people are not reading much anymore, and how can they with working 3 jobs to survive and caring for a family while getting a higher education degree part-time? The real reason isn't that they have no time, because they will find the time. Trust me. The reason is, there is nothing to read. Each book they pick up is a virtual copy of the last, names and places altered, a tiny shift in plot, a male protagonist instead of a female, etc. It's like the publishing houses are busy playing mad-libs with one manuscript they bought in 1950. It's boring. Television and movies provide quicker and more explosive experiences that just cannot be beaten by these cookie-cutter machinations of novels.
Additionally, writers are slipping away, retreating to the Indie realm in droves. They get paid 20% more at least (which is still not enough), but the rest goes to producing the work and maintaining copies in a warehouse for shipment. Ink and paper are not cheap. Not to mention, the enthusiastic team that helps you through the process (like my team at Createspace). I've cringed at independent authors lambasting firms for not accepting returns, but most publishers don't. Most authors are not carried in most bookstores either, regardless of who prints them. Honestly, they would have to be much larger facilities to do that. However, the reality is, that you pay, or should pay, very little to put your book out (less than $500, if you can manage a cover on your own or find someone who can for less than $200). This cost does not include the much needed editor (about $1,500-$2,000). Don't you dare publish without one you can trust, either. You'll need one anyway, if you insist on a traditional root, just another reason to skip traditional publishing.
I know what you're going to say, but publishing houses have access to sales and promotion. Yes, they do, but for their big name 'stars' who they're still only paying under 10% . You will not get a whirlwind book tour unless you book it and pay for it. That's the rude and obnoxious reality. And, you won't be paid more than a pittance for your years of frustration, hard effort, education, research and literal labor.
I highly recommend independent publishing, and leaving the big tops to their celebrity tell all books. Besides, they commission work from hired writers, not authors on the street. They already know the book they want and are just looking for "the writer on staff" to do it. Lastly, don't sweat it. Write what you love and write as best as you can. It's going to be a long road anyway.
"What Writers Earn: A Cultural Myth" by Sara Sheridan, HuffPo -
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sara-...
