Do you know what I love best about being a professional novelologist?
The paychecks.
Yes, getting paid to write is just fantastic. I highly recommend it.
This is not to imply that I don’t love lots of other great things about writing. I do love making up stories and characters and getting to be creative. I love it when fans tell me they’ve enjoyed something I’ve written, that it’s enlightened their souls or merely made their day just a little brighter. I like going to conventions, meeting fellow writers, and hanging out. I love all these things and more.
But, above all, I love the paycheck.
This isn’t quite as mercennary as it might sound. I love being an artist, being creative. But getting paid to write . . . well . . . there’s nothing quite like it. This is probably my biggest strike against self-publishing. Self-publishing can be a rich, rewarding experience. It has a lot to offer. But there’s no sense of satisfaction like depositing a check with your name on it that says, “You are a writer, and here’s a few bucks to say thanks.”
You just can’t beat it.
Fighting the good fight, Writing the good write,
Lee
3 Comments
Serious Question:
I’m reading a book called, ‘Piracy: The Intellectual Property War from Gutenberg to Gates’ by Adrian Johns. Johns claims that piracy has over-taken the book market, causing your (Author’s) paychecks to drop. I always thought writer’s were paid upfront for publishing, then later in sales and royalties. Shows how much I know.
Anyway, here are my questions: are your books being pirated? If not you, please share a tale of some you know being pirated. How much did you/they lose? How much of Johns information is blown out of proportion? Basically, tell me everything you know about how the market works and how piracy, or perhaps other factors, effect you. Thank you.
Great question. I already covered it in an older blog entry. Here’s the link:
http://www.aleemartinez.com/steal-this-blog/blog/02122009/
Just so you know, I like reading your blogs alot. I’ve enjoyed your frequent postings as of late.