tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post5584834283173336561..comments2024-03-16T18:38:15.627-07:00Comments on Flogging Babel: The Truth About Science Fiction WritersMichael Swanwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18389836784776252022noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-61739290030024721202013-01-24T20:48:54.457-08:002013-01-24T20:48:54.457-08:00Meerkatdon, only in science fiction would these be...Meerkatdon, only in science fiction would these be considered inducements: Put in several hours of intellectual labor and you won't have to pay for the privilege of doing so. Let us use you as a draw for our convention and work like a horse all weekend and we'll pay your expenses. Only in science fiction would we feel we should mention these as mitigating factors.<br /><br />I didn't know about Gerrold and the dollar charity contribution, but I've seen relatively minor TV actors charge ten dollars for an autograph and then pocket the moneh. So I can't think badly of him for it.<br /><br />The fact that you think full disclosure requires that we mention such things speaks very well of you and by extension the rest of us.<br /><br />So, um, well, good on you.<br />Michael Swanwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389836784776252022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-30347412185163279722013-01-24T14:28:25.258-08:002013-01-24T14:28:25.258-08:00In the interests of full disclosure, it's not ...In the interests of full disclosure, it's not uncommon for attending writers to get free memberships to a con; sometimes we also get a free (or reduced-rate) membership for a spouse.<br /><br />And Guests of Honor traditionally get travel and hotel expenses paid by the con.<br /><br />For signatures, David Gerrold used to request a dollar donation to a charity. I don't know if he still does that.<br /><br />Those are all the examples I can come up with.Meerkatdonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15217892733792461253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-47739666054354457772013-01-22T00:36:46.551-08:002013-01-22T00:36:46.551-08:00I've made it point to point out stuff like thi...I've made it point to point out stuff like this along with the very special and awesome relationship SF fans have with SF authors, and the fact the SF writers do not charge a fee for coming to SF cons in all my (numerous) appearances in media as part of SFeraKon PR. Although I did insist that Croatian mainstream literary festivals (who became interested in SF writers as a result of my acticities) that SF writers should be treated as any other writer when invited to a professional, mainstream, non-volunteer run event. I think it is only fair. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02037869285541976549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-45416336088947708092013-01-21T16:13:48.674-08:002013-01-21T16:13:48.674-08:00I was once in a con suite with Chip/Samuel R. Dela...I was once in a con suite with Chip/Samuel R. Delaney GoH, whom I see as sort of Our Man in LitCrit land, and he was saying that if you get published in an important little magazine you get tearsheets and _maybe_ a letter. When he goes to parties with those people, in Manhattan, if he tells them he can go to a party with 800 people [the size of the con] who have all read his work and are more than happy to tell him everything they think about it, they are green with jealousy.<br />Our democracy is unique.Neil_in_Chicagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09062490117473145827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-15632334734738518042013-01-21T10:45:16.093-08:002013-01-21T10:45:16.093-08:00Skyknyt, George is a good guy. I note that he'...Skyknyt, George is a good guy. I note that he's teaching at Clarion West this year, which s tremendous amount about him. A week at CW is a LOT of work and the money can't mean much to him at this stage of his career. He's just doing it because he's a Mensch.Michael Swanwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389836784776252022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-56045372507770660332013-01-21T10:42:57.243-08:002013-01-21T10:42:57.243-08:00Send me an invoice and I'll get right on that,...Send me an invoice and I'll get right on that, Gordon.Michael Swanwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389836784776252022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-63321906172189428722013-01-21T10:15:28.946-08:002013-01-21T10:15:28.946-08:00Did I also mention that editors are paid exorbitan...Did I also mention that editors are paid exorbitant fees to be quoted in blog posts?<br />GordonVGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09306312651179589213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-65177913155817498032013-01-21T05:59:06.177-08:002013-01-21T05:59:06.177-08:00From the GRRM signings I've been to, I'm a...From the GRRM signings I've been to, I'm always amazed at how friendly and jovial he is with everyone present, willing to chat with people personally on their favorite parts of his books. I'm not surprised it's the same with his fellow writers. What a nice guy!skyknythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06944007837820118992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-55360475955195843722013-01-21T02:34:01.631-08:002013-01-21T02:34:01.631-08:00A good moment, indeed. :)A good moment, indeed. :)Fran Frielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11779189702107014516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1484180326012950400.post-75270026465828848712013-01-21T00:55:05.673-08:002013-01-21T00:55:05.673-08:00Childrens' illustrators and writers charge for...Childrens' illustrators and writers charge for school appearances. It never occurred to me to charge until I was in a mail list where they mentioned it.Margaret Organ-Keanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10575232246820332258noreply@blogger.com