|
Years ago, when I had only published a few stories and articles, 2 books in 1 series, and was just beginning another series, I made 25K once, above the Ghost writing fee plus all expenses for signing a contract giving up all rights, including credit forever, for the personal memoir of a very accomplished and wealthy man. I gave my word of course, but just in case, the contract stipulated that I would have to pay back double that amount if the contract was breached unless I was forced to by court order.
When the writing started we only met in secret with the pretense of hunting and fishing trips. Sometimes I felt the lodge or motel people thought we were "involved" to put it delicately.
Finally all material I used had to be burned. The digital record was expunged. The single laptop that was used had encryption on it, and it was turned over to the client who owned it, along with a dozen 3 1/2 inch floppies that were the only backups.
(The client had been in the service and he liked to use the expression "deep-six it.")
That client has been dead a few years now which is why I can mention it, but that really doesn't matter.
I don't remember a thing much beyond what I have just said. The name also vanished once I saw he died. Now I never knew him.
|