Where is the loyalty? What does an author owe his/her publisher?
Loyalty? Where is it exactly?
An author gets launched by a small to mid-sized publisher. They receive a goodly sum (not a greatly one) up front to begin their first foray into bookdom.
Those of you who have been published, or are trying, know that the first time you get published is a tremendous breakthrough. If you figure that over 400,000 books get published in a year, the odds against it happening are pretty good.
Once you’re in, you’ve officially entered the elite “club” of published authors. You will be regarded as that whenever you write your second book. You have now not only begun to journey down the road to a published book, you are simultaneously creating a track record, history.
When you knock on the door of publishing for book number two, you will be allowed in. You’ll get the ear and/or the eyes of someone there. Know that you are tremendously lucky. Most people never make it through that door. Thank goodness that self-publishing is gaining credibility.
It’s an interesting question to ask, whether or not a first time author owes a debt to his publisher when embarking on future books. The publisher has virtually gambled on an unknown and invested time, energy, and money on it. The new author has the gift of the publisher’s trust.
So, when said author and said publisher come to book number two and said author is courted away with bigger dollars by new mega-publisher, what’s an author to do? After all, business is business.
Oh, really?
I think there isn’t one pat answer for this question but there are things to be considered. How well was the author treated by his/her first publisher? How well did the book do in the marketplace? Realistically, the latter question is tricky in that first book successes may not equate with bestseller status.
Many a career is launched by a publisher who’s willing to take a chance on a new author. And, many an author waves bye bye when the career engine begins to rev up.
It all comes down to book sales, really. A big fat advance isn’t always better. But, I’m sure it feels that way when the check hits the bank account. Not to mention the ego edification that goes along with it. (But remember, if you don’t earn out your advance, you may not be invited back to the party for book number 3!)
Think about it. We all need to pay our rent. Times are particularly challenging for our pocketbooks. What is really fair. Or does fair even matter?
The only things I know for sure are:
Whenever we do anything with money as our primary motivator we are setting ourselves up for trouble. That is, unless, of course, we move through our life disconnected to our hearts. Many do. It doesn’t look very appealing to me. And, I’m a big fan of money.
When we do come from our hearts and operate from a place of passion and meaning, the rewards we experience are far more satisfying than those that the mighty dollar can buy.
Loyalty. It’s a good question to ask. In the cold coffers of the world called “business” where does it fit?
I know in my life, in my heart, in my job, it’s front and center.
How about you?
Note: I promise to post more yummy Peace Village photos over the weekend.
0 Comments »
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
