Jan 14 2010
Two Great Writing Posts
As the discussion after the last Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing goes on in the comments section (thanks everyone, for the great comments), I want to point out two great blog posts by professional writers that are very much worth reading.
The first is by Steve Perry. Not only does it talk about writer insecurity, but also shows how a writer works with his agent. And it’s about fear and wanting it all. Read it, folks, right here.
And then Kristine Kathryn Rusch in her ongoing Freelancer’s Guide did a chapter on professional jealousy. Got to read this. It will save you more pain and grief than you can ever imagine. Read it here.
Two great posts. Thanks Kris and Steve!
Cheers, Dean
I’ve not seen much of jealousy, although I do know that in writing organizations, every time an unpublished author dares to speak up about something, there are some authors who immediately dismiss everything they say as “jealousy.” I think jealousy is more in the mind of the “victim” than in reality, more a tool to dismiss someone’s words without listening or answering.
So I have to say I’ve only seen one or two cases of real jealousy (one targeted at me, but it strikes me as really funny now–and I thought it curious, then).
As far the “I want that” feeling, there’s nothing wrong with that, nothing unhealthy about that, and it’s a great tool to know what you want and decide where you want to go.
Wish I had been that lucky, Natasha. I’ve had it directed at me so many times, I can’t begin, or want to, remember them all.
And it comes in many forms and from many directions. And it ain’t just me making it up I’m afraid. Wish it was. Kris next week says she might write about how to deal with it. That ought to be another interesting post.
Dean,
Thank you for the valuable information. It helps me put agents and their roles in better perspective.
In a future post I would appreciate the following topic as a discussion. What are the expenses that usually occur with an agent outside the 15% of their cut? From what I understand a writer will pay postage and copying. Would that mean I would send money to reimburse the agent as a monthly bill? Because some of the web sites I’ve seen list that as part of their expenses when they are mainly responsible for the contract. And not being the richest person in the world (that will come later) that will also be an influence in deciding upon an agent.
Another topic I look forward to reading about is the range of advances. When does a writer know what a good agreement with a publisher is for advances and royalties on a first novel?
Thank you for your time.
Melva
Ps: you and Kris had always been very supportive of mentoring new writers and it is appreciated.
Melva, thanks for the kind comments. Agents never take anything ahead of time, ever. If an agent wants to do that, run, don’t walk.
Agents sometimes take reasonable expenses, such as mailing costs, copy costs, book purchase costs for sending books to overseas agents and publishers, but those expenses are ALWAYS taken out of your next check. Never, ever asked for ahead of time.
Advances just depend on your book, your story, and what publishers think of the commercial value, meaning how many it will sell. There is no range. None at all. And I’ve seen or heard about just about every sort of advance set-up, from King taking $1, to a few presses using higher back-end royalties to get big names to take lower advances, to multi-million dollar advances. And everything between. No range at all.
thanks, Dean.
His blog is on point.
I had the privilege of listening to Steve Perry @ FenCon a couple years ago. He was on point then, as well.