Backward-Looking Authors' Guild Faces a New Challenger

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I reserve judgment on the Authors Alliance until such time as they say or do something specific enough to be judged.

My take is that traditional publishing won't change significantly, for commetcial or academic writers, as long as there are takers for the predatory "industry standard" contracts.

Any attempt at significant change has to start there. Otherwise, it's just another exercise in belling the cat.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

My take is that traditional publishing won't change significantly, for commetcial or academic writers, as long as there are takers for the predatory "industry standard" contracts.

Any attempt at significant change has to start there. Otherwise, it's just another exercise in belling the cat.

I agree with you that "standard" (i.e., routinely exploitative) contracts are horrendous, but unknown writers tend not to be steely or experienced enough to bargain. The pain threshold of the desperate should not define the rights of authors any more than it does the limits of humane treatment in factories.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire resulted in more humane conditions for North American workers not because people suddenly stopped being willing to risk their lives but because lawmakers decided that employers should not be in the position to tell workers do so. In my crumpled opinion, a spectacularly unfair contract offered under duress is comparable to that sitch financially.

Still, there are cases in which terrible deals are preludes to later power. Saying yes to that first compromise is disastrous in some cases, but in others, it brings enough exposure to place artists in positions of power, which allows them to refuse later compromises and move forward with their careers.