How much money do first-time novelists make? Author and upcoming first-time novelist Justine Larbalestier is constantly asked by aspiring writers what first-time novelists should expect in advance payment for their beloved texts. So she asked some of her author friends what they got for their first novels. The responses ranged in time from 1962 to 2004. What didn't change in all that time was the basic amount: Not much. Quoth Larbalestier: "The life of a novelist is, financially speaking, a mug's game. Enter at your own peril."
posted by jscalzi on Dec 24, 2004 - 66 comments

Why does no-one recognise my genius? A guide for aspiring authors on how not to deal with rejection slips.
posted by etc on Jun 17, 2004 - 21 comments

Anonymous midlist author tells horror story (Salon: viewing of annoying ad required, but it's well worth it) "In the 10 years since I signed my first book contract, the publishing industry has changed in ways that are devastating [...] to midlist authors like me. [...] What once was about literature is now about return on investment. What once was hand-sold one by one by well-read, book-loving booksellers now moves by the pallet-load at Wal-Mart and Borders -- or doesn't move at all." (more inside)
posted by Prospero on Mar 22, 2004 - 117 comments

Are you writing a novel? An article in the NY Times urging would-be authors to pack it in. Given the quoted stat (that 81% of Americans 'feel they have a book in them'), and extrapolating it for the rest of the world, that still means that there are roughly 12,887 unwritten books out there in me-fi land. Is this true? And has anyone actually written theirs down?
posted by jonathanbell on Sep 30, 2002 - 59 comments

Douglas Rushkoff is writing an open source novel that readers are encouraged to leave footnotes on. These footnotes can contain comments, suggestions or discussion about other footnotes. Is this the future of publishing or a cheap gimmick?
posted by mathowie on Jul 9, 2001 - 23 comments

Given recent concerns about online content publishers and established writers trying to make money on the web while whining about pay-throughs with more than $400,000.00 net profit, I've found some people who are still willing to give it all away. Over at The Clockwork Storybook, you can read to your heart's content. All of it for free. They apparently make money from the site by way of merchandise and selling their own published books. Also, they've just started a writing school of sorts called a Boot Camp, also free. You just can't beat good online content with solid user involvement, can you?
posted by Spanktacular on May 3, 2001 - 2 comments