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Whistlingwoman
Veteran Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 64
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 03:54 pm: | 
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This article appeared in LA Weekly last week and has since been all over the web. I am a fan of Tervelon, I hope he can work this out.
Literary Sharecropper
The perilous life of a novelist
by Jervey Tervalon
For some optimistic types, race is a tedious notion that doesn’t speak to this new meritocracy we have here in our colorblind country. It would be pleasant to think that those of us who swim on the left side of the stream wouldn’t be guilty of highhandedness or racial insensitivity or plain old racism until you run smack into a wall of race.
I remember the daughter of a former poet laureate suggesting that the enthusiasm folks had for my first novel was probably because I was black. Damn. If only I’d known that from the get-go, that there was this free-floating love for me out there in the world because I am a black man. You’d think by now I’d be on a tenure track at some open-minded but guilt-ridden liberal arts college. Race matters, but in subtle ways that don’t spit in your face like Russian skinheads sharing love with their darker-skinned countrymen on the subways.
See, I’ve come to expect the affirmative action of driving while black or brown. I remember trying to give away my stories to literary magazines back in the day, and couldn’t. It bothered me, though it didn’t matter: Who the hell reads literary magazines except for the people who want to be in them? Still, I wanted to be published in those backed-by-trust-fund rags. All I got was frustrated. Then it occurred to me: These folks don’t want to publish stories about kids growing up in the hood, they wanted to publish stories about dysfunctional kids in the suburbs.
But when Terry McMillan rolled onto the scene and sold a shitload of books, even high-culture mavens and mongers at those unbearably white publishing houses had to bust out and find them some black folks who liked to scribble between the lines. That was me. Sold my first novel in the huge shadow of Terry McMillan’s sales, and for that I’m forever grateful, because nothing focuses the attention of the corporate mind like naked profit.
There are many pitfalls in a literary career, including convincing folks you have one. Writers, like Pavlov’s dogs, actually do learn, and after jettisoning all that romantic baggage that books are about what’s between the pages, they see with clear eyes the genius of the marketplace. The book business has never been more about moving units, though hawking novels, even the big ones, can be much harder than selling wet dog turds. A friend of mine recently complained that his latest book sold a little more than 3,000 copies after getting good exposure, including a priceless CNN piece, and great reviews. I feel for him, though he received a respectable advance for the book and I’m sure it’ll do better in paperback. If I were him, I’d chalk it up to bad luck, and get to steppin’, though I’m sure he was hoping to leverage his book’s sales success into another deal. Hope springs eternal.
But for some of us hope is the thing that gets stuck to the bottom of your shoe like a bad book deal. I’m a living example of how the writing life goes wrong as evidenced by my own recent publishing misadventure.
See, the life of a novelist is a perilous one, the chance of being published is slight and receiving an advance is even more remote. You’d think that maybe after you’d sold a few books things might get easier, but let me tell you, writing, like pimping, ain’t easy. My advice to those who want to write the Great American Novel? Keep the overhead low. Forget about that iMac with the 22-inch monitor; soon enough you’ll regret it, no matter how much you imagine it will improve your productivity. My mistake is that I wanted continuity, consistent money coming in, because I have two little dividends and I can’t let my wife do all the supporting. I wanted a multiple book deal, and damn, my agent went and got me one. I cashed the checks, spent the money, paid the taxes and got to writing, because if you want to get paid for writing, you actually have to write.
When you do the writing and develop some skills and ambitions, that’s when it gets interesting. You learn that the rigors of the market are all important — another immutable law of the universe, more real than a noble gas law or the laws of thermodynamics. So when my first editor, an African-American woman, told me it would be impossible to get my book through the publisher’s acquistions committee unless I changed the white, upper-class love interest of my black protagonist to something, anything else, I complied. "How about a Sade-like biracial adoptee from Nigeria," I asked. "Fine," she said.
I got a little nervous, though, when the publicist at my publisher, Atria, had to quit over an outbreak of boils or something that sounded equally biblical. He hadn’t been doing much to promote my previous book anyway, but it was a bad sign. Almost as bad as meeting Atria’s publisher, Judith Curr, an Australian woman who didn’t seem to know that Latinos in California speak English as well as Australians or maybe even better. I sensed I wouldn’t be receiving the royal treatment from Atria — no book tour, no post cards, not much of anything. After finishing the first of the two books, Lita, I assumed they’d send it around, you know, for reviews. But they couldn’t bring themselves to do even that. When I asked my new editor, Malaika Adero (my old editor, Tracy Sherrod, left to become an agent), if I should hire an outside publicist, she said yes. I truly had become an orphaned writer.
I’m a big boy, I could handle what was coming: They didn’t want to publish another word of mine. I was cool with that, I’d expected nothing but cold-blooded business. Still, I was under contract to produce another book. I explained to my editor what I wanted to write in advance — a novel about a personal chef for a weirdo super celebrity, in lieu of the novel I’d proposed long ago in a single paragraph. She agreed. I wrote that book. But when I sent the manuscript, Serving Monster, to my editor, she informed me that, unbeknownst to me, I had violated my contract — that it was late and it wasn’t the book they’d wanted anyway. I knew then that I was going to get gotted. That this big-ass publishing house was going to come down on me.
Sure enough, Atria, subsidiary of that monster conglomerate Viacom, asked me to pay back the $41,000 they advanced me. I had to sit back, catch my breath and get my mind around the demand. The book was late, but not unreasonably late, especially given that Atria took longer than expected to get my first book out and, in changing editors, put me though a period when I had no editor to work with. I’d gotten approval to write the book I wanted. I even tried to write the novel they wanted — 60 hasty pages to a sequel of one of my earlier books. But in the age of low-rent porn for churchgoing ladies, I couldn’t keep up with sex-wild Zane (also published by Atria) or any of her dick-riding sorority sisters. Both novels were rejected.
Then some woman who sounded about as threatening as a Vassar coed called me on my cell and tried to put the fear of God into me. I was being threatened and dunned as though I had run up a huge credit card debt that I’d refused to make good on.
I informed this woman that I was receiving unemployment and wasn’t in a position to repay the advance. I argued that her demand was ridiculous and that I had permission from my editor to write "what I felt." It didn’t matter. If I didn’t pay, she said, they’d sue me. Finally, I was offered a compromise: Pay Atria a thousand dollars every six months for the next 10 years, and they’d go away.
I don’t want to be sued by a conglomerate, and I can’t say I’m not tempted to pay my biannual tribute to stay out of court. But then again, it’s hard not to look at myself as some bedraggled peasant who was given some seeds and bad land to hoe in perpetuity. Yes, one day when I’m deep into senior citizenness, I’ll be through with my book deal, and if good ol’ master is kind to me, I’ll be emancipated and free to work for myself. I’ll no longer be literary sharecropping, singing spirituals in the cotton-picking fields.
Tervalon is the author of several novels, including Lita, Understand This and All the Trouble You Need. His novel Serving Monster has yet to find a publisher.
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Bimsha
Regular Poster
Username: Bimsha
Post Number: 34
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 07:08 pm: |
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I know a lot of African-American authors in the same predicament. It's disgusting! What can we do as consumers - do bog the publishers down with letters letting them know that we appreciate Jervey and other's like him??? I plunk down my hard earned dollars to support writer's whose stories I appreciate and make it a point to encourage my reading friends to do the same - I don't lend books - I'd rather buy one and give it as a gift. What is to become of our authors??? This saddens me........ |
Whistlingwoman
Veteran Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 65
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 08:00 pm: |
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Bimsha---
This mad me sad/mad too because Tervalon is an author with something to offer his readers. He tackles serious subjects with a lot of talent and heart. I wonder if he had decent representation. He didn't mention his lawyer or agent in the article but I think that if he had an agent/lawyer that Atria was afraid of - in a business way - that this might have been worked out a little better.
Anybody know any other details about this?
The article also revealed the sorry-ass state of affairs when a man with four books and lots of teaching experience is on unemployment. Just speaks to what's going on across the country in regards to employment and job security. Scary state of affairs. The news programs keep bemoaning the fact that shoppers aren't in stores this holiday season. SHOPPERS ARE BROKE AND SCARED.
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Sisg
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 147
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 08:13 pm: |
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Yes, this is sad. And a very sad state for all of us writers, and would be authors. There really is a market for good writers, black writers who write stories about us, for us. To state it simply it is time, well past time for us to establish ourselves in the publishing industry by becoming the publisher and marketing to ourselves. They don't want us, and seem to only care about the money, not the substance, and not just picking up what sells. How come we don't do it for ourselves....establish a black publishing company, FUBU style (for us by us)....this is my grownup Christmas wish! |
Bimsha
Regular Poster
Username: Bimsha
Post Number: 35
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 05:16 am: |
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Sisg - I agree! We have quite a few multi-million dollar AA's! We should have our own publishing house/distribution ctr -- and the same thing should be going on in Hollywood - what's wrong with our people??? Do they sign some kind of contract w/the "man" after they make their first million saying that they will not use their earnings to advance their race and if they do otherwise they will be forced into bankruptcy, their name scandalized and then banished from the world of celebrity???
GEEZ! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 2146
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 04:30 pm: |
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There are few things I find more inanely boring and unseemly than reading a grown Black man complain about the limited opportunities for writers.
To me, it is like hearing a woman complain about her @$$ being too fat or something. |
Whistlingwoman
Veteran Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 66
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 08:10 pm: |
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I thought he was talking about being sued. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 2149
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 08:35 pm: |
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Whistlingwoman,
If being "sued" is what he's concerned about here (Which is, again, BORING!), it sure took him awhile to make that point. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 1904
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 09:26 pm: |
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I found what Jervey had to say interesting, and thought he had a legitimate grievance. Plus, other authors can learn from his unfortunate experience with a big publishing company. |
Bmcn
Newbie Poster
Username: Bmcn
Post Number: 8
Registered: 08-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 04:23 pm: |
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Come on, black man. Stop whinning.
It was once demanded of Tony Curtis, the pancake- face thespian, to return an advance of a million bucks or so. You know what he did? Gave the publisher the finger and kept walking. They sued him. According to a woman friend of mine who was there in court, and likes to look at such things, TC unzips his trousers, wagged his tallywhacker and said to the publisher's lawyer: "C'mon, ya' smuck. Why doncha' come kiss where Marylyn Monroe puckered. Maybe it'll smooch ya' back. Ya' cheap suit wearin' son-of-bitch."
I'm told the judge woke up and said in a dreamy voice: "Marylyn Monroe? The Marylyn Monroe? When she had that shape? Damn. Can I touch it before you put that away, sir?"
Hey, sometimes you have to put things in perpective. They will either sue, or they won't. Stop crying and write, Jervey.
I was approached by a small publishing company about supposed interest in a novel I was writing. The introduction was instigated by an acquainance of mine. My instincts told me that I was being lied to.
I'd encountered similar people years ago when I tried to sell screenplays. It did and continues to occur to me to ask hard questions when negotiating regarding my creative outpouring. If I am given answers to questions for which there are none, I run in the other direction.
Of course, every writers dreams of commerical success, so that is the attraction. Therein lies the path for getting screwed.
I self-published and will probably continue in the future doing that. I want the sales as bad as the next guy. But I am not going to degrade myself, my people, and or my family to turn out trash or a shell of my vision.
I think its would be wonderful for black people to start owning parts of the media -- but I doubt if it will happen. I would be critical of that, except I think to worse thing about this is that
those of us who can be supportive, refuse.
Nothing is more odious and heartbreaking to know that some people take the postion that if a writer
is self-published, then what was written was accordingly inferior. Consequently, lack of reviews and sales reflect that myopic view.
My name is Bernard A. McNealy. And that's my gripe
for today.
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Sisg
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 148
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 06:22 pm: |
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BMCN,
Funny story about Tony Curtis! Thanks for sharing! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 2151
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 11:21 pm: |
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Okay. Here's my beef with what Jervey Tervalon appear to be saying:
Over 175,000 books are published annually. And 100,000's more that are beyond their first printing/publication are being sold.
And at least half the 300M American's out there feel they have a best seller in'em. And a good number of them are going to make a run at it. Then you have all these self-deluded politicians, actors, athletes, who think their fame warrants them to write their (real/imaginary) life's story...or at least have it ghostwritten for'em.
Contrast that with dwindling reading populace, one where the average American reads fewer than a single book per year!
And publishers will lose money on many, if not most, books they publish.
Foks, it is a great/rare privilege to get the opportunity to have your book published.
So while I wish the very best for any/all who manage to accomplish that, I can't stomach witnessing some fool complain when their book deal don't break the way they 'spect it to. Cause, no matter your talent, you've been d*mn lucky to get a chance at all.
So guys like Tervalon need to get over themselves and accept the fact that writing/publishing a book is mentally tantamount to mudwrestling a pool of alligators.
When I read Tervalon's woe-be-me article, I can't help thinking "Yeah! So what! What the f@#$ did you expect to happen, Sherlock? The publishing industry was suppose to crawl all over itself to lick your vainglorious @$$ or something?"
Until the book market undergoes some wholesale changes that benefit reader/writer/publisher (particularly those that result in increased readership), Tervalon will continue to fall prey to what he's @i+c#i^g about.
The other problem I had with Tervalon's article is he a did an amateurish job of describing what troubled him. I mean, what was the article about anyway: racism, bad editing, crooked publishers. He was nearly finished before he started venting about his wayward book deal.
Also, it, frankly, wasn't well-written. It includes a frivolous assortment of faux/unclear/misused modifiers, pronouns, punctuation, and metaphors/analogies. And some of the sentences just plain don't make sense within the context to which he (appear) to be using them.
And something about his self-pitying spiel here reeks.
So there was NO formal/written acknowledgement of what he was to write? There was NO exchange of chapters/portions of what he had written prior to the completion of his work? It seems to me if he had done his part to communicate what he was doing, the publisher wouldn't have a freakin' leg to stand on.
You know, it is possible, Tervalon defied the wishes of his publisher, who had every right to get what they were due since they in good faith gave him over 40 grand.
What are the explicit terms of his advance? If we don't know them, we can't really divine an informed opinion about what went wrong.
And...for Christ Sake!..."biannual" means every 2 years, not every six months. He should have used "semiannual".
This is such a rambling, babbling mess of an article that, honestly, after read I it, I can better understand WHY Tervalon has struggled to get published in the fashion that he desires.
ablackman_xx@yahoo.com |
Bmcn
Newbie Poster
Username: Bmcn
Post Number: 9
Registered: 08-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 11:22 pm: |
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Although I think Jervey has a legitimate beef, the real tragedy is that this type of thing accompalishes what it is apparently intended to do -- silence a talent. He much to contribute and should find a way to flash the big finger.
Speaking of Tony Curtis. My friend whom I referenced is a captivating Safardic Jewish lass that had a talent for catching the eye of older gentlemen such as the dust spitting, venerable Mr. Curtis. She also had my tongue dragging, but I digress.
One day, the lady and I were at the courthouse where said dispute was disputed. Well, you know, the brother here being a woman-appreciating brother was busy huddled in a corner talking to the girl about ya know, when who should step into the hall? Yep, "Mr. Yonder lies da kas-el of muh farda," Tony Curtis. "I'yam Spertacuss."
My friend sees him and immediately draws a reptilian smile. TC uttered something, that sounded like a wolf-whistle and a line from one of his movies. He was trim, bedecked in a white silk suit and fine hat. My friend is sighing silently to herself and nearly detonated when the
cat batted his long, beautiful eyelashes at her.
I have to admit, he had something. But, he topped himself. He bowed smoothly like a refined nobleman, deftly removed his hat, still batting his eyelashes. My friend was breathing hard but suddenly cracked up, as did I.
It seems that TC had accidently grabbed onto his toupee' and pulled it came off with the hat. He stood there bald headed and non-aware.
Needless to say, reenacting that scene for my friend got me a lot of laughs. She was the type that put everything into a laugh and fell over you -- but I degress. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 1908
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 01:06 am: |
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How strange that someone as cynical as me received an entirely different impression from the ones expressed by 2 black men about a fellow brother. I didn't think published-author Jervey Tervalon was whining or that what he had to say was frivolous or poorly-written. To me, he came across as very personable and as someone who had retained his sense of humor despite his misfortune. He had a story to tell and he told it in a clear, cohesive style which is undoubtedly why this piece made it into print, and the fact that it is garnering a lot of attention on the net would seem to indicate that there are plenty of other people who relate to his plight. Tervalon got caught up in a numbers game and ended up on the short end of the stick because he took someone at their word. Does that make him a bad guy? Now he's broke and is being sued for $40,000. I can understand his disgust, but I didn't get the idea that he was feeling sorry for himself; only that he had learned about the publishing business the hard way. I hope he survives this set-back and bounces back. |
Steve_s
Regular Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 43
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 08:03 am: |
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Biannual has two meanings so it's used correctly because he's already told the reader that he means twice a year.
Whipping it out makes a poor legal defense strategy but great urban legend. True, it's more likely Tony whipped off his toop, which is probably where she kissed him anyway. But is Joan Collins also a "pancake-face thespian"?
I learned something from the article. I didn't know that authors have to return advances if a publisher rejects a manuscript. That sucks. But I'm wondering why they're only making him pay back half of it? That would give him a net profit of $21,000, wouldn't it? Not a bad deal.
He creates some humor (literary sharecropping) out of a bad situation. But the idea that his success is due to race is a fairly common one unfortunately. Read the profile of Edwidge Danticat in The Salon.com Reader's Guide to Contemporary Authors. Kate Moses concludes that the critics are guilty of "race pandering" in their praise of Danticat, the only author in the book without any "important" books in bold type. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 2152
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 09:09 pm: |
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Steve_s,
I'll be darn! You're right. "Biannual" can mean twice/year or every other year.
Cynique,
Dude's a man. He got a better deal than the VAST majority of writers will ever get. He needs to stop the whinning...and write! |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 185
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 08:43 pm: |
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ABM I had to look up the meaning of biannual myself after reading Steve_s' post. You learn something new everyday...
I did find the Jervey piece very interesting. Of course there is always another side to any story. This story should be read in this context. I'm sure if you spoke with the editor, and publisher you would get a different perspective. The "truth" probably lies somewhere in between.
I defintiely agree with Sisg and Bimsha. regarding ownership. However we already have Black publishers here is a list of just a few: http://writers.aalbc.com/publishers.htm
All we have to do is make a concerted effort to support them. It is really that simple.
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Brian_egeston
Regular Poster
Username: Brian_egeston
Post Number: 38
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 10:42 pm: |
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I have come to realize that writing and publishing is not so much about being a good writer as it is about being lucky or in the right place at the proper time. I have also surmised that the inherent problem with many writers is that we are solid artists, but we have no business acumen. Therefore, after the masterpiece is done, unless we are skilled at the hustle, we become sucked into the oblivion of rarely-read books.
In hindsight, if Mr. Tervalon had taken the $41,000 and used it to promote the book himself, there's a high probability he may have sold a crapload of books, thereby garnering a larger book deal and the publishers would have called him a genius instead of a liability.
Alas, that’s the game and if it was easy, everyone would be doing it and there’d be no one left to drive buses.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
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Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 187
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 11:36 pm: |
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By Jove I think he's got it!
Brian think of it like this:
Any author with all three of the above characteristics will be sucessfull. An author with none can not succeed and will fail. These include the thousands of anonymous vanity press authors.
If an author has one of the characteristics they have a slim chance of success. Only if they develop or purchase one or more of the other skills.
An author with two of these skills is someone with serious potential. Many of the authors published by a major houses are usually in this category. A self-published author who is popular enough to have been heard of by people reading this post typically fit into this category. Indeed, many of these authors get picked up by a major houses.
An author with all three is rare. Zane comes to mind as a good example.
Tervalon has demonstrated that he is a good writer however, as his article indicates he does not have a savvy businessman, nor is he a good self promoter (as evidenced by his lack of popularity).
"Luck", whatever that really means has less to do with an author's success than the identifiable skills desribed above. Unless you consider it lucky that we live in a world where a mediocre author who is an excellent self-promoters and strong business sense (Baisden) will have a much better chance than someone who is a teriffic writer and has no business sense or promotion (Tervalon).
One would think the publisher would take a good writers and supply the necessary promotion and business management required to make an author sucessful. That does not seem to happen very often, though I get the feeling Edward P. Jones was one of these authors...
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Jmho
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 98
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:46 am: |
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Troy wrote:
An author with all three is rare. Zane comes to mind as a good example.
Troy, have you read any of Zane's books? If so, which ones? |
Jmho
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 99
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 01:00 am: |
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Troy also wrote:
Unless you consider it lucky that we live in a world where a mediocre author who is an excellent self-promoters and strong business sense (Baisden) will have a much better chance than someone who is a teriffic writer and has no business sense or promotion (Tervalon).
Call it want you want, but this is exactly what's going on now, in the industry. There are many who sell tens of thousands of books, yet not of 'quality.' Of which, I know, defining quality to be subjective.
Can one be a good self-promoter and not have business acumen? Or vice versa? Just wondering.
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Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 193
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 01:24 am: |
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Zanes books: I've started a couple have never finished one. I have vowed to read nervous completely.
JMHO, when I say "quality writer" what I really mean is a writer that writes books many people are willing to pay to read AND/OR skilled writer. Without having read a Zane book, my book sales tell me Zane writes books people want to read.
JMHO, an author can have any or all of the characteristics above any any combination.
I know seevral authors who are great promoters but weak on the business side. It seems many self pubslished authors start out strong on the self promotion side and develop the business side later, out of necessity.
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Solomonjones
Veteran Poster
Username: Solomonjones
Post Number: 54
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 03:01 pm: |
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I thought Tervalon's article was very well-written. It was witty, self-deprecating, and most of all, real.
I had the pleasure of doing a black writer's panel with him in Phoenix a couple years ago. I thought he was a nice guy. I'm sorry to hear that this happened to him.
Regarding what happens in the publishing industry concerning multiple book deals, my experience has been that the publisher takes the first book knowing what that book is about, but does not necessarily ask for the topic of the second book up front. That's settled later on. It can be something as simple as an email exchange between editor and author, where the author basically sends a query letter about the second book, the editor asks a few questions to sharpen the proposal, the author answers those questions, the proposal is accepted, and then the author writes the book.
I've never heard of verbal confirmation of a proposal, but I wouldn’t think it would be impossible. I just think it would depend on the author's relationship with the editor and/or publishing house.
I, too hope Jervey works this out. I think he's a good guy and a talented author.
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A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1187
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 06:25 pm: |
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Solomon,
Have you heard of authors being asked to pay back large advances? For every story like this one, you hear 10 about people getting paid big bucks and signing contracts for multiple books. Shouldn't the author make sure that there is no language in the contract where he would have to pay the publisher back if the book fails to generate the funds expected? Is it the agent's job to negotiate the deal? |
Solomonjones
Veteran Poster
Username: Solomonjones
Post Number: 56
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 09:54 pm: |
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Yes, I've heard of authors having to give back advances if they didn't produce the work they were contracted to do, and yes, it is the agent's job to negotiate the deal. But the bottom line is, the publisher absolutely has the right to ask for the advance back if the work does not fulfill what the author was contracted to do. That's standard practice as I understand it, and no agent in the world can protect an author from that.
One of the things I like to do is communicate by email. That way, there is always a written record of what was pitched and agreed to, and no one can plead ignorance. |
Jervey_tervalon
First Time Poster
Username: Jervey_tervalon
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 27, 2004 - 10:21 pm: |
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I wrote literary share cropper because I wanted to expose this practice of treating advance money as though it's a loan, as opposed to seed money, ie money the publisher is willing to risk to get a product they can sell. The writer risks their effort, the publisher, money. Now, the publisher calls in loans, and if you don't come across with the money they threaten to sue.
If you complete a novel in good faith, that you discussed with your editor, seems to me you fufilled your end of the deal. Otherwise, publishers can throw out a little money and if they don't like what you provided, (the market has changed, your sales sucked for your last book) though you discussed and worked with your editor, and then demand the money back. You toiled for free, thus, the idea of sharecropping.
I very much enjoyed reading the exchanges between everyone and Solomon, thanks for the kind words.
-Jervey.
PS about promotion, writers are expected to help promote books and many of us even pay for publicists, if we can afford it.
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Sisg
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 149
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 27, 2004 - 11:27 pm: |
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Good luck to you Jervey,
I thought the article was informative, at least for me and a very sad realization of what takes place in the publishing world. I am slowly learning that all that glitters is truly not gold....i too have had my share of disappointments and enlightments in this business, but like ABM says...i just keep on writing. Eventually, my ultimate goal is that someone will read my work, and enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it...and then again somewhere over that rainbow awaits a multimillion dollar contract that we all dream of....oh but if even if a tiny little bird can fly over that rainbow, then why oh why can't i?
keep writing, keep dreaming...and promote, promote, promote! |
Carey
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 393
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 05:53 am: |
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Hello Jervey
Thanks for stopping in. I sort of feel like family with you because you've stopped in on occasion and of course I've begged you for a couple of books  . Anyway, thanks for risking popularity and telling the truth, that takes courage!
btw, about those books.........I know I have no shame *lol*
Carey |
Scullars
Veteran Poster
Username: Scullars
Post Number: 52
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 09:10 am: |
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I guess the way to go is to hold the advance money in some kind of escrow account until a certain time has passed and you can be assured that the publishers will not be asking for it back. I think I'll have that written in the contract somewhere (if I ever get one), and put some sort of time stipulation in it. |
Solomonjones
Veteran Poster
Username: Solomonjones
Post Number: 57
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 02:18 pm: |
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Jervey -
No problem. Meant every word. I also talked with our mutual friend the other day and if you stick with him, I know everything will work out just fine. |
Thumper
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 310
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 01:30 pm: |
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Hello All,
Jervey: How are you doing? *big smile* You know I just read a biography of Langston Hughes and Hughes called himself a "literary sharecropper" too. I totally agree with what you're saying. You have my sympathies. Sadly enough, you're not the only AA author who has endure the same level of bulllsh_t. I wish you luck in the future.
ABM: Dawg, are you off your meds again? *eyebrow raised* Jervey's complaints are legit, especially concerning publicity. Many of the large publishing companies DON'T know how or desire to properyl publicize their AA authors books. For instance, true story, I requested a review copy Jervey's last novel, Lita, and was turned down. I don't know why, but I was. The reason why I remember it so well is that I, nor any of the reviewers for AALBC, have always gotten any review copy we request. I haven't been denied a book in years, but I was with Lita. As such, I didn't even mention Lita on the site. As far as I'm concern, it didn't exist. Well, we are not the only publication that feels this way about publicity. The very minimum a publisher or author can do to get publicity is to send a review copy of the book.
I can't dispute what Brian wrote about an author being a good self promoter and having a head for business. He's correct. But you would think that any author with a major publishing house wouldn't have to work that hard with promoting his books. What's the purpose of being with a publishing house if you have to do all the hard work yourself and the publishing house gets 50-60% of the profit! That's crazy!
All: Now as far as advance money goes: I'm just being me; but if any author who is picked up by a major publisher and is offered an advance, if the author don't need the money right then, don't take it! Because its not a gift or a bonus, its an advance, which means that the publisher has no intention of being out any money. I wouldn't take an advance, an author would stand a better chance at Atlantic City or Vegas. |
Jervey_tervalon
Newbie Poster
Username: Jervey_tervalon
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 12:46 am: |
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Thumper: I never read that biography of Langston, but I guess writers often feel like they're sharecropping. Let me know where you want me to send that copy of Lita, and I can tell you I was very enraged when I read that they wouldn't send you a review copy. Atria only sent out review copies because the publicist I hired demanded copies to send. The publishing industry as we know it is dying. What we're going to see is a bunch of small to medium ndependent publishing houses and one gigantic house for the magastar authors. As far as advance money goes, I think it's fine for a completed novel, but multiple book deals are problematic. What's tough for black writers and writers of color as compared to white writers is that we don't get the film options or the screen writing work. Teaching isn't much easier, I applied for a MFA gig along with a white friend at this university, he has one book, about growing up with black people, I have five novels and two books I've edited and I've won awards and such.
I didn't get an interview, he got the job.
Turns out I was told I was overqualified
I'm not complaining, I've done well, and I'm proud of the books I've written, but it is really about staying strong and doing the best work you can do. I think writers have to accept, as artists, that the road just gets rocky and writers of color have to be even more aware of that.
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A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1204
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 05:22 am: |
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Wow, I was on a website for agents the other day, (mostly white authors) and there were at least 20 books that had been optioned for movie rights and foreign rights! I was shocked and discouraged that none of those titles had an AA author. That same website had a woman, an author who had sold over 500,000 copies of a book about using pet hair to knit!
This is really discouraging. |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1205
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 05:28 am: |
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Thumper,
Don't take an advance? Isn't the advance what writers dream of? How would you make any real money if you don't take the advance?
Jervey, if the business is like that, why didn't you take some of the advance money, and get with some other AA writers who have acheived some success and form your own publishing house and make deals for other up and coming writers? All of the money that's being generated for these uncaring houses could be going in AA pockets.
Hey Russell Simmons! HELP! |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1206
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 05:29 am: |
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And could someone tell me how the Zanes of this world make so much money in an industry like this? |
Carey
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 404
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 11:57 am: |
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Hello All
Hi A_Women, Zane is a different story. She came out with a NEW product and a zippy, grabbing name. Hey, sex has always sold and say what you want, she's selling sex. I really believe if you have something that's going to be an unquestionable money maker, you or anyone else can be the next Zane. Now I am not playing her down, oh no. The women got skills, the women is a hustler of sorts. Now don't get me wrong I am not talking about the next great novel. The powers to be can't get with that. They can't feel us. That's why they wait around in the bushes to see if an author takes off and THEN they show their nasty asses *smile*. That's right, you know they copy everything and just stomp the shit out of it. How long did they do the wave. White girls are still doing that one and only wiggle snake dance. Really though, you come up with a real money maker and you too will be insane like Zane. But again, you have to have the drive and passion. I am not talking about your everyday go. I mean a real lust for your goal. I am talking about a damn near obsession. Yeah, we have several authors that can get ugly on paper but who cares and who knows. Dreams are hard to sell! |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1207
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 05:10 pm: |
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Hi Carey! Thank you for the encouraging words. You know I have to say it--some months ago when I stumbled upone this site I thought--wow! an african amercian resource for writers! how cool is that! And I thought what I'd find here were successfull AA writers sharing their secrets, tips and formulas for success. I must say that I was and am saddened that we don't see a lot of that around here. It's mostly tearing each other's efforts down, and telling stories of unsuccess! Why is that?
Hey Kathleen Cross, could you email me @ maris200442@yahoo.com? I have some questions to ask you.. |
Carey
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 406
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 11:51 pm: |
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Hello A_wmmon, first of all this site is primarily for readers. Now a writer can get some sure nuff tips on this and that but no, I guess this wouldn't be the place to learn about writing. That would be like going to Mc Donalds to learn how to cook and make a living doing it..... I don't think so. |
Always_lurking
Newbie Poster
Username: Always_lurking
Post Number: 21
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 01:59 pm: |
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A_woman if you want a site with a community of writers supporting eachother BWunited@yahoogroups.com is a good one. They are very supportive. This site is for readers with a wide range of taste, opinions and views. If you want a dose of real, come here. It is refreshing that people aren't PC all the time.
On another note, I believe we can come together and breed success among eachother. It seems to be a matter of wanting and seeing the importance in it. I think as the years go by and the generations change that understanding is becoming more and more diluted. Sometimes we need to hold on to what we build instead of waiting for the big wigs to hand it to us. Case in point, Essence.
Jervey Tervalon self publish. You got to do all the work anyway. |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1209
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:59 pm: |
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Hey Always_Lurking! Thanks for the words of wisdom and the link, I will DEFINITELY check it out.
Peace! |
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