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I have some pretty strong feelings about Ghost and its sequels. I'm not sure (assuming, for the sake of argument, that I am capable of actually writing -- and finishing, given the state of my fanfic -- a novel) how much money a publisher would have to offer for me to agree to write something like those. I'm not well-off -- extremely far from well-off, actually -- but I'm used to it, and I know lots of tasty things to do with ramen noodles and macaroni & cheese. Sure, I'd like a few million. Who wouldn't? But at what cost?
Assuming all of the following were just a matter of conscience, not legality, I've asked myself: Would I, for instance, accept a million dollars for a novel which is essentially child pornography (fictionalized, mind you; no actual children involved)? Would I accept a million dollars to write press releases and PR material for a political party I routinely vote against? How about a hostile foreign government? Or the RIAA? How much would I charge for an essay extolling the benefits of DRM? In short, how much of my soul is for sale, and at what price?
I won't know the answer for sure until someone waves that million-dollar deal under my nose, of course. It's easy to be virtuous about imaginary money for nonexistent writing. I like to hope that my conscience would overcome my need to pay my bills and I'd be able to say "I got by without this money for all these years; I can continue getting by without it," and turn it down. (mind you, the closest I've ever come was turning down an offer from TSR for my comprehensive index to Dragon Magazine, almost 20 years ago, because they were really lowballing it, but that's another story) So I'm really interested in the point of view of a real writer, not a dreamer.
So what about you, Ryk? Seeing as you're a successful author and all, and hence more likely to get the offer: Is there a price for which you'd be willing to publish your perverted sexual fantasies? How about write kiddie porn? Propaganda for the other party? Press releases for BP?
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