Why I've Said NO To Two Book Deals | publishing, bad book deals and editors

[@crlake]

The first call didn't finish reading the book. Agreed. Big Red Flag.

[@malikamaybe]

Thank you so much for this video! I'll be querying again starting in July/August and I'm trying to drill into my head that having no agent/no book deal is better than an awful agent/an awful book deal. How demoralizing and how far back I can end up pushing my career if I were to just go 'yes' to any 'ol thing, how my writing has value (even if I know I'm not writing the highest of literary work/writing mostly commercial). I have a lot ahead of me before I even get near submissions lol, but I really appreciate this video (that editor emailing to say they don't work with writers with agents truly made me '???' like specifically not wanting to work with people with an advocate/their own business partner in the industry is suspect).

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

I'm so glad this video could help. I think it's really important for all kinds of writers to consider our value and how the economic process of selling our artwork can downgrade that personal value. Even on a political level it's important

[@AngelaKHarrell]

I agree!

[@tatamukoro3953]

I love your videos. From🇰🇪

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Thank you ❤️

[@21stabsalute]

15:44 big facts

[@AngelaKHarrell]

Thank you for discussing this subject (especially in reference to the differences a Black writer might experience). As an African American writer, I've had a few experiences as I write my first novel that were somewhat "suspect" (in my opinion). From engaging in writing groups that have a majority of White people to attending conferences (that also have a majority White people), I've found the knowledge I received on the publishing industry had to be reviewed i depth to weed out the good from the bad. I've been told "There are no readers for your work anymore because it's been said so many times... " (I'm writing a historical/literary fiction based in the Reconstruction Era), to "You shouldn't expect to go the traditional route because it's too hard for Black people; plus, you're better off being self-published because of yada, yada, yada..." (even though I specifically tell people my decision is to have my work traditionally published). The sad part is a lot of the negative information I hear is from other Black writers!! It's just depressing at times. QUESTION: If you have a book published with one publisher, and you decide to stay within the same genre for your next one, is it customary (and/or expected) for you to go back to the fhat publisher to offer them a "first look" at your new book? Again, thanks for all your insights into the writing industry. I learn so much from you and the other writers who leave comments. Let's keep the knowledge flowing! God Bless!

[@PeaceIsWork]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

My pleasure

[@crlake]

Thank you for this.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

My pleasure!

[@Anomio736]

do authors see any sort of compensation from library check outs? Are those metrics things yall have access to?

[@jordancanter1958]

No, just when the library buys the book.

[@338holly]

When it comes to audio books and ebooks in the library, the licensing is different. After so many checkouts, the library has to repurchase the license.

[@jordancanter1958]

@@338holly ahhhhhh ok thats pretty cool then. I thought you just got screwed out of it

[@NebraskaFalls-ee7qp]

I'm old enough to remember sitting on the floor of Borders book store and just feeling home. I also recall seeing the African American section and ignorantly thought well : I don't want my work just boxed off in a section. WIsh I had a tribe during those days. I was lost and falling in love with F scott Fitzgerald (NOT GATBSY ) novels and NEVER knowing Baldwin, Zora or Toni existed . Now I'm 33 and found an online tribe that I'm learning from to finally publish. Would love to run a novel idea by you if there is ever a time for that( I'll revisit this when I become a patron in two weeks ; out the country and super frugal until I get back)

[@jimjimgl3]

For better or worse, publishing is a numbers business and commercial writers just sop up more of the advance funding from publishers. I worked for a literary agent after school and when an author would submit a potentially commercial book my boss would do cartwheels. He represented art/dance/film criticism authors mainly but did have a few fiction writers and one or two commercially successful authors. This was back before the internet sucked the energy out of traditional publishing so I can’t even imagine how tiny that advance purse has become. Good luck with future writing projects.

[@CalebSpirit124]

Ai can literally write; illustrate; and professionally print books. Create audio that sounds like an actual comedian in actual room . Mimic your favorite rapper etc. Coming close to creating and animating films. All produced by a few key strokes, by a non creative; in small office. It’s not over, but seemingly almost over as we knew it. Atleast, without compromising one’s personal morals … and even then some still given the shaft. { Why all the low balling. Didn’t know how bad it was till I seen and heard conditions of some established creators in LA. }

[@NebraskaFalls-ee7qp]

Ah Yes! I've learned the hard way that just because we are Black and/or Queer DOES NOT EQUATE to compatibility or love(revoloutionary ) or just a sense of community . Its awful and took me awhile to digest

[@tatamukoro3953]

First here

[@Black-iz6tj]

That publisher saw you as someone to exploit unfortunately :(

[@DonnieMoreland]

As a writer ( a poet at that lol) who has finished their manuscript and is like, "what the hell do I do now?".....I needed this. Thanks🤎