Talking shop...
I spent a good long while today talking about the business of writing, with a wonderful new friend of mine, here in Atlanta. She's a young-adult novelist, and has been writing commercial work for years. She's got a very different outlook than I do, and I think its probably good for both of us, when we talk shop.
I learn things. About the world, and myself.
One thing I found myself thinking about is the simple difference between a corporate book deal, which is like a "job", and a book deal with an indie press.
When I think about how fortunate I am that Soft Skull is doing Half/Life... I think of it as an investment. I don't think of my little "advance" as payment, but more as earnest money... a downpayment on a collaboration.
I see the whole deal... the time invested by people who don't make the big bucks. The unpaid interns. The money it'll cost to produce the book. The bill for sending the book out to magazines for review. Even the postage it costs them to send my contract/ galleys/ etc.
I look at all of that and think, "Wow, I am SO lucky!!! I could never afford to do this for myself. I wouldn't know where to begin!"
And if I ever put out a book of poems, I assume I'll feel the same.
But when you are used to working with a major house, it's different. People who get real advances think of it as employment, and they treat their advance as I would treat my paycheck. They might feel lucky to be paid writers, but it's really still a job. That doesn't mean they don't make art, but they HAVE to think about the money. Since I've never made any money writing, I don't think about it. Though sometimes I dream of a teaching job... but that's as close as I come.
My father said to me recently, "You don't have a career, Laurel. You have a lifestyle."
He's right, and it really doesn't change. I can be a non-profit grantwriter, a waitress, or a housewife. My goals stay the same. And the idea of book-income doesn't affect what I write, though I do think about it.
This outlook of mine, it might have something to do with my lack of "success" but it might also be the reason I'm still writing.
In any case... "Iamb what iamb."
I learn things. About the world, and myself.
One thing I found myself thinking about is the simple difference between a corporate book deal, which is like a "job", and a book deal with an indie press.
When I think about how fortunate I am that Soft Skull is doing Half/Life... I think of it as an investment. I don't think of my little "advance" as payment, but more as earnest money... a downpayment on a collaboration.
I see the whole deal... the time invested by people who don't make the big bucks. The unpaid interns. The money it'll cost to produce the book. The bill for sending the book out to magazines for review. Even the postage it costs them to send my contract/ galleys/ etc.
I look at all of that and think, "Wow, I am SO lucky!!! I could never afford to do this for myself. I wouldn't know where to begin!"
And if I ever put out a book of poems, I assume I'll feel the same.
But when you are used to working with a major house, it's different. People who get real advances think of it as employment, and they treat their advance as I would treat my paycheck. They might feel lucky to be paid writers, but it's really still a job. That doesn't mean they don't make art, but they HAVE to think about the money. Since I've never made any money writing, I don't think about it. Though sometimes I dream of a teaching job... but that's as close as I come.
My father said to me recently, "You don't have a career, Laurel. You have a lifestyle."
He's right, and it really doesn't change. I can be a non-profit grantwriter, a waitress, or a housewife. My goals stay the same. And the idea of book-income doesn't affect what I write, though I do think about it.
This outlook of mine, it might have something to do with my lack of "success" but it might also be the reason I'm still writing.
In any case... "Iamb what iamb."
2 Comments:
I am in a similar position. All my publications have been for "love" or a small memorium that barely covers the cost of a month's postage. At present, my agent is shopping a novel to the corporate publishers. I long for "success," but also fear it. You can't use it at the supermarket or pay the electric bill with it, but love still makes a great paycheck.
Thanks for the thoughtful post.
IrishyIrishy
advances are the same thing no matter who pays them to you or how much they are: a portion of your eventual royalties up front. with our set up, you just start earning royalties sooner. definitely payment. ;)
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