Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
Both. 
Trad publishers want to tie down rights, even if they don't exploit them, because they are financial assets that *can* be exploited. If not by them, by others. And they'd rather it not be others.
That is why most current tradpub contracts have non-compete, first-refusal, etc type clauses.
You have noticed they don't like competition, right? 
Also, locking down as many rights as possible for as long as possible is their endgame exit strategy. You don't have to publish new books if you can milk the copyright of known-good titles "forever". Come merger time, the value of the company will be defined by the rights they own.
"They may be crazy but they ain't stupid."
The Predatory Presses know exactly what they're doing and despite all their posturing, they're not in the literature business; they're in a financial business. |
It has been a while since I have brought out a new story, and even longer since I have brought out a whole new title.
My "day job" is demanding and the payoff is immediate and very rewarding.
Still I know people that write and people that publish and I have to agree with the theme of this thread. Things are getting worse for all but the most successful authors. Sure there are ways around the roadblocks, but there shouldn't be roadblocks. It not only depresses the little guys, it depresses the whole industry.
When I was young, I also dabbled in music and I remember some stories about when the big Country Studios decided to do everything "in house." If you were on the outside you didn't have access to the main conduits of publishing a song. Unless the songwriter was well established and connected with a big name, they worked for "the man." The music industry decreased for several years before they started letting the free lance song writers in again from "out of the cold."
Everyone looks forward to retiring and doing what they love. I would like to travel less on jobs, and write more at home. If I travel, it should be for a vacation or to visit the grandchildren. The important things.
Maybe this depressing cycle will be over when "my time" comes again.