Rantasia

[steepholm]

From what I've heard, Harlan Ellison is a... difficult person. Nevertheless, his rant about people who expect writers to work for free is something of a Youtube classic. A worthy rival has emerged, however, in the form of this classy take-down by Steve Almond.

Are there other contributors to this genre? Is there an anthology in it? Bagsy the royalties!

Comments

[calimac.livejournal.com]

A little to my surprise, I see that the book was in fact published (though with the title dropped, and the proposed subtitle used as the title). The section on food and drink has eight items, but it had to do without chocolate.

Considering the number of contributors and the shortness of the pieces, Almond's proposed payment might have been a bit high, but at least it should have spawned a counter-offer. I've contributed for nothing more than a free copy of the book, but I didn't expect they'd sell as well as this one, and the editors weren't getting any $50K out of it, either.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Agreed. In an academic context it's standard to write for nothing but a contributor's copy (if that), on the understanding that one gets "paid in promotion" [forgive bitter laugh]; but $50K is not an academic advance.

I like the idea that it would be meaningless to pay any sum less than $500, and therefore it was necessary to pay nothing - as if no one would bother to pick a $100 bill off the pavement.

[sheenaghpugh]

I do wish he'd sent the final email! Cheeky sods.

I have an immutable rule; I work for free if it's a charity I support, or if a relative is involved. EVERYONE ELSE PAYS. I don't care if it's peanuts; it's the principle of the thing.

The Harlan Ellison!!!!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi there. Had seen the "Bracket" letter earlier today, but not the Harlan Ellison. It's brillaint - puts fire into the weak soul. Thanks for the link!