Advance from Big Six

[SeaKing]

Originally Posted by EileenG

Knickers is Irish/Brit for panties.

I had an idea that was the case from the context.

Maybe for your American audience, you could throw in some kind of hint when you first use the word. Even if the normal readers of that style of literature know the word, more sporadic readers like myself might not immediately recognize how it is used without a bit of help.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

I had an idea that was the case from the context.

Maybe for your American audience, you could throw in some kind of hint when you first use the word. Even if the normal readers of that style of literature know the word, more sporadic readers like myself might not immediately recognize how it is used without a bit of help.

I NEVER read that genre, and I knew what she meant. Might be more common then you give it credit for.

[gmw]

The difference between thongs in Australia versus other places seems an apropos example to add in here, it can lead to some very funny conversations.

[SeaKing]

VydorScope
I NEVER read that genre, and I knew what she meant. Might be more common then you give it credit for.

Originally Posted by gmw

The difference between thongs in Australia versus other places seems an apropos example to add in here, it can lead to some very funny conversations.

Well, I thought about it briefly and had a good idea but then we here at Mobile Read should be a bit sharper that the "average bear."

As for thongs. In my youth that meant usually a style shoe that is now mostly called flip flops but the thongs were more stylish. Sometimes a healed shoe might have a leather loop holding it to the ankle and they were called thongs.

I can only say that it is all agreeable to me, though my personal preference is for damsels just out the shower. Anything added to that is just a roadblock on the highway to love.

( I wonder if anyone out there has a book contract for me? )

[gmw]

Flip-flops, that's them! But saying you broke a thong (which is not uncommon with the rubber ones that sell most cheaply here) can lead to some strange looks in some company. (Indeed, saying that the broken thong was made of rubber makes it even worse. )

[EileenG]

I love my agent. She's already doubled the advance (now 8000) and has got a much better royalty rate.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by EileenG

I love my agent. She's already doubled the advance (now 8000) and has got a much better royalty rate.

Sounds like she's earning her money, but I also believe (as I said at the beginning) that they tried to low-ball you. I think this confirms it.

[EileenG]

Very likely. But now I'm freaking, wondering if I can produce a book that's as good at they want in the time I've got. Increasing the money increases the pressure.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by EileenG

Very likely. But now I'm freaking, wondering if I can produce a book that's as good at they want in the time I've got. Increasing the money increases the pressure.

Don't let it. Remind yourself that you were planning on writing the best book you can, and that hasn't changed. Their expectations haven't changed, either--being able to demand a better paycheck doesn't mean you're expected to do more work, just that they agree you're better suited to the job than they'd originally thought.

Also, the hope is that the advance isn't "more money" for the author. It's just "more money up front." And "better royalty rate" probably means they were trying to scam you to some extent--they want you to produce a book that can compete with 50 Shades, but want to pay you untried-newbie-author rates? If they think you *can* knock 50 Shades off the shelves, they should pay you accordingly. Sounds like they were relying on you not knowing what the industry standards are, or undervaluing your own work.

[EileenG]

Yeah, but at the beginning I was all upbeat and optimistic, and now I'm two thirds through it and wondering if this is the biggest pile of shite in the English language.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by EileenG

Yeah, but at the beginning I was all upbeat and optimistic, and now I'm two thirds through it and wondering if this is the biggest pile of shite in the English language.

It would still be better than 50 Shades, though.

Joking aside, I haven't read 50 Shades, but I've read your work, and I don't think you need to be concerned. Keep at it!

[EileenG]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

It would still be better than 50 Shades, though.

Joking aside, I haven't read 50 Shades, but I've read your work, and I don't think you need to be concerned. Keep at it!

Thank you for the encouragement. I've trying to increase the kink content without doing anything the publisher will consider sleezy. I already vetoed a virgin heroine and a hero who is so tortured he should be in therapy.

[MichaelSullivan]

Originally Posted by EileenG

I kind of suspect they have given us a starting figure and expect our agent to bring it up higher. On the other hand, since an agent would take 15-20% of the total, I'm wondering if it would be better not to bother.

I think publisher will always low-ball an unagented author so bringing on an agent should always be able to increase the deal by more than their cut.

Also...in general an agent should only be taking a 20% cut when doing foreign deals as they usually have to work with a co-agent and the two of them each get 10%.

[hughhowey]

What a great lesson on the importance of landing an agent! Best of luck on the book, Eileen!

[frahse]

Originally Posted by EileenG

Thank you for the encouragement. I've trying to increase the kink content without doing anything the publisher will consider sleezy. I already vetoed a virgin heroine and a hero who is so tortured he should be in therapy.

Don't be too heavy handed.
On virgins, consider the age and exclusive one sex schooling.
On tortured heroes I more or less agree, but then when you add "should be in therapy" I think you go too far. There aren't many left if you say that. Suffice it to say, he isn't in therapy.

Being tortured by ambition, by self doubts, by lust, by lost or unrequited love, by memories or fears of abuse (sexual or physical), memories of loss, failure, responsibility, and ""allergies"" or physical problems for example in that genre, sexual arousal or completion are all fair game.
(Pardon my grammar.)