Comments on Another Book Deal Worth Squillions. How Can I Contain My Envy?

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Marzieh

Interesting isn't it? The many ways we can look at things. Many publishers, including mine (wow, I am not used to saying that) do send the author a copy of the book.
Don't feel too badly about it.

posted by beachbelle on December 20, 2004 at 12:52 PM | link to this | reply

thank you

for the conscience prick - I remember when having had a poem accepted for a book, when I was about 13, and when I received that letter saying that my poem was accepted, asking me to buy the book, I saw it not as an opportunity, but as some kind of scam...stupid ego

posted by marzieh on December 20, 2004 at 12:49 PM | link to this | reply

Scriber

As all men should be. Take care

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 12:48 PM | link to this | reply

Beach--yes, I stand corrected, as often happens.

posted by scriber on December 19, 2004 at 12:40 PM | link to this | reply

Some more than others.  Depending on your definition and perception of a contradiction.  Good luck again, with all of that identity concealing, envy containing, contradicting behavior.  That's a lot, too much for me.  You are a better woman than I. 

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 12:30 PM | link to this | reply

Kelli

All of us are contradictory. I would be happy to try to write to fulfil a big advance but I feel that such sums also attract a lot of pressure and stress. It is enough to live as a writer

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 12:25 PM | link to this | reply

Just a note, since you were a bit contradictory as far as not writing for money is concerned.  Good luck on your containment of a intangible emotion.

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 12:20 PM | link to this | reply

Kelli

That's why I am here in spite of being paid to write elsewhere. Take care

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 12:14 PM | link to this | reply

Writing for yourself can be a good thing.

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 12:09 PM | link to this | reply

Scriber

It is my perogative not to reveal my identity. I agree that bloggers do not pose a threat to me although there was one who pursued me for a time.
The other reason I don't reveal my name is that I am under a contract which says I should not write for other publications without permission. I would prefer to save requests for permission for my other work.
If I gave my name it would provide ammunition should someone there wish to remove me.

I am probably wrong to be here at all.
This is the one space I have where I can write for myself.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 12:06 PM | link to this | reply

Scriber

Not two days since I commented unprompted on the nice blogger quotes you include on your book. As I said comments should not be a one-way street but nor should they be tit for tat.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 11:55 AM | link to this | reply

Beach:

I notice you never comment on my work unless i comment on yours first., or at least, i don't remember you ever doing it.  As for the fact you are not revealing your 'true' identity, it assumes there is some need for concealing it from fellow bloggers. Maybe there is, but I doubt it.

posted by scriber on December 19, 2004 at 11:48 AM | link to this | reply

Envy will manifest within your disguise.  It shows.

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 11:43 AM | link to this | reply

Kelli

Sometimes it is apparent, often it is concealed

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 11:42 AM | link to this | reply

Scriber

I know what you mean about publicity but if I reveal the publication I might as well just put my name and address. Writing here is something apart from my work. I would rather sacrifice a few sales and be able to remain here. I appreciate it is different for others.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 11:41 AM | link to this | reply

What do you contain it with?  Envy is always apparent

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 11:39 AM | link to this | reply

Kelly

If I ever have any envy I keep it contained but in this case I have none.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 11:37 AM | link to this | reply

Scriber

The comment thing should not be tit for tat or formalized but I do notice people who want readers and commenters and yet they NEVER comment anywhere but their own blog.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 11:36 AM | link to this | reply

Beach--odd you don't mention the publication. It needs the publicity.

posted by scriber on December 19, 2004 at 11:34 AM | link to this | reply

Your point about how important for those you comment on to return favor

is well taken.  I have always thought it very odd that some Blogit members feel that they don't owe a return comment to those who comment on them. 

posted by scriber on December 19, 2004 at 11:31 AM | link to this | reply

you cannot contain envy.

posted by Kelli on December 19, 2004 at 11:17 AM | link to this | reply

thanks for sharing

posted by _Symphony_ on December 19, 2004 at 7:14 AM | link to this | reply

No problem Ben

Thanks

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 4:25 AM | link to this | reply

Ok. Thanks for the further clarifications.

Good luck with them in the future.

Ben

posted by A-and-B on December 19, 2004 at 4:18 AM | link to this | reply

Ben

I am sorry I gave that impression. It is not the case. I approached them in the first instance and they don't solicit contributions - I was very lucky to be selected and there are many who would jump at the chance.
I believe that if we as writers want these outlets to survive we must support them too. In my case I need to read publications which I write for to know what has gone before.

Naturally they are happy to consider ideas from previous contributors to submit ideas as they know the style of the publication

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 4:12 AM | link to this | reply

It sounds a bit like the vanity publishing industry.

Soliciting submissions, then systematically

soliciting subscriptions etc.

It happened to me once.

Ben

posted by A-and-B on December 19, 2004 at 4:02 AM | link to this | reply

Ca88

I have done a couple of writing jobs on stuff I really didn't enjoy doing so I set a high cost which helped me through. Sometimes the money might be great but the reality of sitting down ans having to write material that is utter crap becomes a huge chore

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 2:18 AM | link to this | reply

I would of course consider what the high price is, but to be honest, money does mean a lot when you haven't got it!

posted by Ca88andra on December 19, 2004 at 2:15 AM | link to this | reply

Ca88

You say that Ca88 but sometimes the millions come at a high price.

posted by beachbelle on December 19, 2004 at 2:14 AM | link to this | reply

I don't know beachbelle - I just don't have the integrity to knock back the millions if and when they are offered to me!

posted by Ca88andra on December 19, 2004 at 2:01 AM | link to this | reply

Come to think of it...

I think it would be fun to be able to say (with a straight face) "I'm a Squillionaire."

posted by food4thought on December 18, 2004 at 11:41 PM | link to this | reply

I saw on ebay the other day....

someone auctioning off 12 poems in one year. it was last sitting at over 5,000.00. makes me want to explore the poetic side of myself, but when I make poems, they sound like something Adam Sandler wrote.

posted by SizeXtraPoor on December 18, 2004 at 11:21 PM | link to this | reply

Squillions. I'd be happy with an itsy-bitsy fraction of a squillion right now.

posted by telynor on December 18, 2004 at 9:30 PM | link to this | reply

Some of these silly words are fun

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 7:54 PM | link to this | reply

Mary x. Yes it is in that vein - similar style although perhaps not as good

but I don't want to say what it is here.

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 7:53 PM | link to this | reply

Don't hesitate to get moving on those 'fresh ideas'.

Every time I think I know all the numbers, someone else comes up with another. I like 'Squillions'. I think I'll smooth that out and add it to Gazillion and Kazillion.

posted by word.smith on December 18, 2004 at 7:49 PM | link to this | reply

BB,

Something similar to Granta?

posted by Blanche. on December 18, 2004 at 7:47 PM | link to this | reply

Mary x

In a way it is both - a quarterly, a magazine-style presented as a paperback book and sold in bookshops as a book

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 7:41 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle,

I'm confused, they're asking you for a subscription to 4 editions,is this a book or a magazine?

posted by Blanche. on December 18, 2004 at 7:27 PM | link to this | reply

QuirkyAlone

I have the check ready to go. Having written one of the shortest pieces to ever appear in that book the subscription takes a chunk out of my un-squillion-like payment. But I am investing in my future.
Yep I would like to see if I could handle the responsibility of a big advance. You never know til you try

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 7:27 PM | link to this | reply

Beach,

Squillions is an awful lot, lol. And I certainly wouldn't say "no thanks." BTW, Did you subscribe yet?

posted by Julia. on December 18, 2004 at 7:21 PM | link to this | reply

Klara

Being on the money means not making the money "the thing"

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 5:51 PM | link to this | reply

Food4thought

I would like to find out if I could handle a big advance

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 5:50 PM | link to this | reply

Cynthia

Barking up the wrong tree wastes so much time doesn't it?

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 5:49 PM | link to this | reply

BB, it's wise advice you give.

I tell the same thing to young filmmakers looking for a distributor. Get to know them. Find out what they distribute/publish. You can save a lot of time that way and prevents barking up the wrong tree.

posted by Cynthia on December 18, 2004 at 2:16 PM | link to this | reply

Imagine...

You have the backbone of the idea.  It sells for (say millions) now you have to finish it!  Talk about choke time!  I don't know what that would be like but I would like to find out.  I think.  I also think I never will find out.

posted by food4thought on December 18, 2004 at 1:59 PM | link to this | reply

You're so "on the money" in this post Beach (pardon the pun, I'm in my

weekend mood). Greater money means greater expectations. And I've always told everyone to read the publications they intend to approach and the ones they appear in. Great post here again.

posted by KlaraRoberts on December 18, 2004 at 1:49 PM | link to this | reply

Unicorn

Go for it! Good luck. 
 

posted by Justi on December 18, 2004 at 1:31 PM | link to this | reply

Justsouno

It is refreshing when someone seeks ideas and means it. I was about to submit a story idea to them but am first going to enter it in a competition which I confess carries a good cash prize

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 1:22 PM | link to this | reply

Ariala

I need to fit in to deadlines to get a deal so that I can afford to write the book. Without a deal I can't, well I can but the pressure would be immense

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 1:20 PM | link to this | reply

Kingmi.

Trouble is i don't want to write about the stuff that sells millions

posted by beachbelle on December 18, 2004 at 1:17 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle

If you can make a living at what you love you are way ahead of the game. I like the honesty of giving dollar for dollar for your earning. I especially liked the idea that you are so generously invited to come back with ideas. If people read they will get there. I agree that we should read those papers, books, mags that we are published in because it is a two way risk. 
 

posted by Justi on December 18, 2004 at 1:15 PM | link to this | reply

I have mixed feelings about book deals...I guess I want to write on my time

and on my terms...no pressure, no rules or deadlines...guess that's why I make a penny click while they're making millions.

posted by Ariala on December 18, 2004 at 1:08 PM | link to this | reply

Beach, our day will come, and we'll have everything!

posted by kingmi on December 18, 2004 at 1:04 PM | link to this | reply