Work, Work, Work

Well, I'm screwed. I didn't think at my age I'd still have to be looking for work, but there it is. I've been downsized at my day job. What's that, you say? You're going to be published. What do you need with a day job? Gather around, my children, and I'll tell you a story.

Let's go way back when I was tirelessly writing and my agent was sending out my manuscript for a book prior to Veil of Lies. I really wanted my medieval mystery series at St. Martin's. I looked at other publishers and I felt that St. Martin's would really do the series justice. I was heartbroken when they turned down the first one. But when they picked up Veil, I knew I had come home.

As a new, untried author, I just wasn't going to get a big boffo advance. That's business. I was frankly thrilled to get anything! But it wasn't enough for me to quite quit my part time secretarial job.

Now, remember, you get half this advance at the time of the contract signing, minus your agent's cut. So now it's wittled down even more. You get the second half at some other time, like when the final edits are in. The book won't be on bookshelves for another six months. Then, when it does begin to sell, you won't see any additional funds until the advance is paid off. So. It's a tough proposition while you wait. In the meantime, I have to continue to write the next volumes in the series, prepare for promotional touring (which means shelling out my own money to go to places like Bouchercon), and still pay the bills. Hence, the day job.

Wish me luck. It's not the best of times to be looking for work.         

Comments

[Grimalkin]

I'm in the same boat as you (minus the book deal). Best of luck!