I am a published author now. This means I get paid. posted 4/21/2008 12:28:11 AM | 1 kudo what's this?     report abuse tagged: life, rudeness

HopelesslyHopeful

Feeling out of sorts, as someone just offered to let me send them my text for my book, like they are doing me a favor.

They said "if you like" so I told them that I don't like, that most published authors sell their text rather than giving it away for free. But, I did say that maybe when the next one needs some reading over before publishing, I could send that to him and then it would be mutually beneficial.

He came back at me with the mating call of the Great American Dumb Shite "Whatever!" and told me that most people just starting out want exposure, no matter what the cost.

Hmmm ..

Yes, that's probably true. That's probably why I posted on Poetry.com for years, had websites in various places, ran numerous blogs including the one here for years, etc.

But, I'm pretty sure that by the time a person is twice over published, is 39 years old, and has been writing for at least 35 years, they are no longer in the category of persons who are just starting out and who should be willing to put the work in for zero compensation.

Kind of like the way you might expect a medical student to diagnose you for free, at a party, but you certainly don't expect the new doctor at the clinic to go without pay and let his family starve in the streets!

So, let's get this straight: artists, all artists, have amateurs and professionals in their various categories. All professional artists are in it to get paid. It is what they do, what they are good at, how they contribute to society and how they keep their family fed. If you wouldn't ask other professionals for free services that they have not signed up to give, don't ask the artists for them either!

See here: this is a blog. I'm not charging you for it. So there is your pro bono writing service from me. Don't ask me to give away what I need to sell so as to have any money to live on. Writing and painting, etc.are what I can do to hopefully earn a living and try to gain some measure of health. Unless, of course, you are a doctor, lawyer, airline pilot, or etc. who is willing to trade professional services!

Thank you!

Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)

Blogs by HopelesslyHopeful: Oh, and by the way .... News Flash Today, in the blue ... To the Satan Worshipping Vampires Among Us I am the epitome of beauty My book has been chosen by Amazon.com This is for the people who said I was just making it up, crazy, etc: Rabbit Proof Fence Baby Ahoy! Was talking to a lady .. Get a clue, for the sake of humanity! Links to interesting pictures (potentially) I am a published author now. This means I get paid. Interesting thoughts and information on Baptism Catch-22? Tired, so tired More Fact vs "Reality" Hello Lovely Peoples Vindication smells like Chop Suey! Sometimes I read things wrong Tired Coconutty Confessions Interesting fact for you and Noah, too Life and Enoch Abel (Genesis 4: 1-18)