tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post114939731954535767..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Four LettersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1150164116513442322006-06-12T22:01:00.000-04:002006-06-12T22:01:00.000-04:00Note to casual visitors from AAR: Welcome. If yo...Note to casual visitors from AAR: Welcome. If you paraphrase quotes from this particular blog post, do attribute the post with the correct URL so others can read for themselves what was actually written.<BR/><BR/>Also, to clarify my own experience, I have not and will not take WFH jobs to write novels for more famous writers. I may not be able to publicly take credit for everything I write, but I would not allow another author to take credit for that work. Nor do I collaborate with other, more famous authors. All my WFH work has been for publishers, and all of my WFH books have been published under a name that is unique to me. Please make note of this when you're talking about me specifically.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149739598067156452006-06-08T00:06:00.000-04:002006-06-08T00:06:00.000-04:00I'm so relieved to learn I'm not the only multiple...I'm so relieved to learn I'm not the only multiple calendar/multiple PDA person on the loose. I thought I was the only one.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01805501348812702651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149520148381172672006-06-05T11:09:00.000-04:002006-06-05T11:09:00.000-04:00For the multiple calendar thing, you should check ...For the multiple calendar thing, you should check out Google's calendar. You can do multiple calendars, send reminders to your cell, and a lot of other really nifty things that make procrastination tons of fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149516512609742592006-06-05T10:08:00.000-04:002006-06-05T10:08:00.000-04:00Anonymous wrote: I've been working on a proposal f...Anonymous wrote: <I>I've been working on a proposal for a work for hire and I was told by the agent that, if it sold, I could announce on my web site that I was the author.</I><BR/><BR/>It's quite possible that you can; I've been permitted to several times. Make sure you check your contract for a gag clause before you sign it, though. I'm not knocking your agent, but I never listen to verbal assurances; I always look for it in writing. <BR/><BR/><I>Is it standard that you can't tell anyone you are the author?</I><BR/><BR/>It depends on the sort of WFH work you're doing. If you're writing to publisher spec, and there are no other writers involved, likely not. If you're writing Dr. Phil's latest book, Dr. Phil is going to want to take credit for it, so he and/or his publisher will stick a gag clause in your contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149516236989089732006-06-05T10:03:00.000-04:002006-06-05T10:03:00.000-04:00Lleeo wrote: I'm curious: what kind of genre or fi...Lleeo wrote: <I>I'm curious: what kind of genre or fiction vs. non-fiction is it usually done for?</I><BR/><BR/>Anything in print can be contracted out as WFH. Celeb bios and help-you books are usually at the top of the chain, followed by writing for more famous authors who are too busy to write their books anymore and publishers looking for niche fiction and who want to hang on to the copyrights in case it takes off. Technical writing is often subbed out, as are speeches, newsletters and so forth. Anything goes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149503702793551622006-06-05T06:35:00.000-04:002006-06-05T06:35:00.000-04:00I've been working on a proposal for a work for hir...I've been working on a proposal for a work for hire and I was told by the agent that, if it sold, I could announce on my web site that I was the author. Is it standard that you can't tell anyone you are the author?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149475861060296982006-06-04T22:51:00.000-04:002006-06-04T22:51:00.000-04:00Why are you in publishing? Lol.I write for the fun...<I>Why are you in publishing? Lol.</I><BR/><BR/>I write for the fun of it, to entertain myself and because I'm the only person who can give my two characters life. (Other than a high court judge - hah.)<BR/><BR/>I'm into computer programming for the fun of it, to entertain myself, and because I like software to be just so. Bug free and easy to use, mainly.<BR/><BR/>So, back to your question: My software pays the bills and my writing keeps me sane. Semi.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149463331024436272006-06-04T19:22:00.000-04:002006-06-04T19:22:00.000-04:00There are a couple things left that I'd like to do...<I>There are a couple things left that I'd like to do, and I can't do them undercover. ;)</I><BR/><BR/>Well, I should hope so! What with all those genre borders you plan to keep smashing down, or ignoring, or slipping under. ^_~<BR/>You're my only hope right now for guaranteed, consistently good, entertaining science fiction <I>and</I> sci-fi romance involving exotic alien species. And I just graduated high school last summer, so you know that I can't, in good conscience, allow you to retire, well...ever. ;)<BR/><BR/>And if I don't see some good homosexual romance stories out there in the romance section in the next five years, I think I'm going to scream! Or use a four letter word... ^_~<BR/><BR/>But back to your post, I've never heard of writing-for-hire before and I find it very interesting that you have in fact done a lot of your professional writing through that. And it's admirable that the fact that your name isn't acknowledged on the book doesn't bother you. I'm curious: what kind of genre or fiction vs. non-fiction is it usually done for?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149458240215833452006-06-04T17:57:00.000-04:002006-06-04T17:57:00.000-04:00Some years it's 75% my own books, 24% WFH.5 out of...<I>Some years it's 75% my own books, 24% WFH.</I><BR/><BR/>5 out of 4 people will understand that percentage split, too. (eye roll) That should read "75% my own books, 25% WFH."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149458079054398392006-06-04T17:54:00.000-04:002006-06-04T17:54:00.000-04:00Ann wrote: Ok, it should have said book store.Oh, ...Ann wrote: <I>Ok, it should have said book store.</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, I liked that typo. I was enjoying the idea of being a nookie writer. :)<BR/><BR/>LJ wrote: <I>What percentage of your writing income do you get for your own books as opposed to your WFH books? Could you make a living as a writer without doing the WFH gigs?</I><BR/><BR/>It varies from year to year, depending on what I can sell. Some years it's 75% my own books, 24% WFH. Other years it comes close to 50-50.<BR/><BR/>Strictly from a financial standpoint, I think I'd be more likely to give up writing my own books and go 100% WFH. I like the work, and it can be very profitable, especially when you get up in the higher level jobs. I don't really need to vanity perks of being a public author, and being an anonymous one is certainly less stressful. But it's not all about the money for me. There are a couple things left that I'd like to do, and I can't do them undercover. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149456938538854442006-06-04T17:35:00.000-04:002006-06-04T17:35:00.000-04:00This may be too personal a question and I will und...This may be too personal a question and I will understand if you decline to answer. <BR/><BR/>What percentage of your writing income do you get for your own books as opposed to your WFH books? Could you make a living as a writer without doing the WFH gigs?<BR/><BR/>(Hoping that wasn't a totally crass question. . .)Lisa Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07530826748768737972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149445707829873382006-06-04T14:28:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:28:00.000-04:00Ok, it should have said book store. I should know ...Ok, it should have said book store. I should know better, three is the limit of things that I can do at one time. I try four and they all go to hell on a library card.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17968479919482739686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149445017241146772006-06-04T14:16:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:16:00.000-04:00Love Ann wrote: ...you "four letter word" like a s...Love Ann wrote: <I>...you "four letter word" like a sailor, just like me!</I><BR/><BR/>I try to be an upstanding citizen, but sometimes nothing will do but a four letter word. :) <BR/><BR/>Stephanie wrote: <I>I don't do this with calendars, but I do do it with my PDA. All tasks must be assigned categories. All categories must make sense.</I><BR/><BR/>Of course. PDA organization is vital (eyeing the five PDAs on the desk.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149444782812187252006-06-04T14:13:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:13:00.000-04:00BAM stands for Books-a-Million, not a bad place as...BAM stands for Books-a-Million, not a bad place as far as chain nook stores go. They are usually good about leaving browsers in peace, and they have great cream sodas in the coffee shop. AnnAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17968479919482739686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149444544185240862006-06-04T14:09:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:09:00.000-04:00Maxine wrote: Er, what does WFH stand for? (And BA...Maxine wrote: <I>Er, what does WFH stand for? (And BAM for that matter).</I><BR/><BR/>Ooops, sorry. As Dawn pointed out (thanks, D) WFH stands for writer-for-hire. BAM is shorthand for Books-A-Million, one of the big bookseller chains in the US.<BR/><BR/>Dawn wrote: <I>PBW, I can understand why, as a writer, you hate the remainder table. But as a reader, I love it. That's where I go to buy the books of authors I've never read, because I can't afford the rrp on a book I might not enjoy. And if I like the book, there's a very good chance I'll go back and buy the other books by the same author...at regular price. So it's not all bad.</I><BR/><BR/>I know, and I shouldn't bitch about it, because a lot of readers wouldn't have a chance to read great authors without the remainder table. It's just, I don't know -- this author is SO good, and I'd hoped this particular book would stay in hardcover for a bit longer. The author also doesn't write that many novels and I know needs the income from the royalties. But that's the biz...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149444210697746522006-06-04T14:03:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:03:00.000-04:00Simon wrote: You need remind-me-please, yet anothe...Simon wrote: <I>You need remind-me-please, yet another of my useful little apps which I give away with no thought for my financial wellbeing ;-)</I><BR/><BR/>You're right, Simon. And very generous. Why are you in publishing? Lol.<BR/><BR/>Shiloh wrote: <I>...the work for hire stuff~do you get ARCS/author copies of those? Who does promo on them?</I><BR/><BR/>Usually I get a couple of author copies, which I save for the kids and donate the balance to libraries. The publisher and/or the client handle the promotion for 99% of my WFH books.<BR/><BR/>Mary wrote: <I>Ohh, PBW, since authors often blog about other people's books, couldn't you blog about the WFH, including a picture of the beautiful cover, while cunningly disavowing any knowledge of authordom?</I><BR/><BR/>That would be like giving myself a blurb or interviewing myself in a trade mag. I don't like myself that much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149444167752406092006-06-04T14:02:00.000-04:002006-06-04T14:02:00.000-04:00I don't do this with calendars, but I do do it wit...I don't do this with calendars, but I do do it with my PDA. All tasks must be assigned categories. All categories must make sense.<BR/><BR/>I also do it with weblogs. I have the writing blog, the game-writing industry blog, the stuff about my personal life that mom will be okay reading blog, the aikido blog, and the spirituality and religion blog. I'm sure there are other blogs that I have simply forgotten about. <BR/><BR/>People don't fit in cubbyholes, but dammit, something has to! :)Health Incognitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12988236791995040981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149442246435136942006-06-04T13:30:00.000-04:002006-06-04T13:30:00.000-04:00I KNEW I loved your work for a reason...you "four ...I KNEW I loved your work for a reason...you "four letter word" like a sailor, just like me! Your work is incredible --and I'm glad I stumbled on your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149440158877295112006-06-04T12:55:00.000-04:002006-06-04T12:55:00.000-04:00WFH stands for Work For Hire. It will be someone e...WFH stands for Work For Hire. It will be someone else's name on the cover, not PBW's, so we can't go buy the book and help the publisher earn loads of cash, even though that's what we want to do.<BR/><BR/>BAM...not sure, but I think it stands for Bras and Manacles (or is that just my imagination?) :)<BR/><BR/>PBW, I can understand why, as a writer, you hate the remainder table. But as a reader, I love it. That's where I go to buy the books of authors I've never read, because I can't afford the rrp on a book I might not enjoy. And if I like the book, there's a very good chance I'll go back and buy the other books by the same author...at regular price. So it's not all bad.eihposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00313211805933994883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149439715697798182006-06-04T12:48:00.000-04:002006-06-04T12:48:00.000-04:00Er, what does WFH stand for? (And BAM for that mat...Er, what does WFH stand for? (And BAM for that matter).<BR/>Thanks.Maxine Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628509319992204770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149435066242061482006-06-04T11:31:00.000-04:002006-06-04T11:31:00.000-04:00Ohh, PBW, since authors often blog about other peo...Ohh, PBW, since authors often blog about other people's books, couldn't you blog about the WFH, including a picture of the beautiful cover, while cunningly disavowing any knowledge of authordom?<BR/><BR/>We can read between the blog lines and keep secrets. <BR/><BR/>Nope. We have NO idea who (subliminal whispers of PBWPBW) wrote that book (PBWPBW). Nuh-uh. Not us.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149429571848035252006-06-04T09:59:00.000-04:002006-06-04T09:59:00.000-04:00I loved this post. Thank you.I loved this post. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149425445408778762006-06-04T08:50:00.000-04:002006-06-04T08:50:00.000-04:00Palm Desktop saves my life. Date reminders that re...Palm Desktop saves my life. Date reminders that repeat weekly, monthly, or yearly, whatever you need, color coded by categories. I track everything, and it's backed up to my Palm so my "head" is always in reach. I also don't know how I ever functioned without Apple's sticky notes program. (Before Sticky Notes, I used real paper notes...and they sometimes got lost. Aaaiiiieeeee!)<BR/><BR/>And same question as Shi. Who promotes the WFH?charlenetegliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14061754720849284938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149423196801355902006-06-04T08:13:00.000-04:002006-06-04T08:13:00.000-04:00i own one calendar. rarely use it. if and when i...i own one calendar. <BR/><BR/>rarely use it. if and when i remember things, it's seem to be pure chance.<BR/><BR/>the work for hire stuff~do you get ARCS/author copies of those? Who does promo on them?Shiloh Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07785046046157000126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1149409235066980492006-06-04T04:20:00.000-04:002006-06-04T04:20:00.000-04:00You need remind-me-please, yet another of my usefu...You need <A HREF="http://www.spacejock.com/RMP.html" REL="nofollow">remind-me-please</A>, yet another of my useful little apps which I give away with no thought for my financial wellbeing ;-)<BR/><BR/>You can set up a bunch of layers - e.g. pets, family, deadlines, whatever. I use it for everything because paper-based anything on MY desk just ends up as a scribble pad.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.com