tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post6565001071393228140..comments2023-06-14T02:08:34.747-07:00Comments on AmyKossBlogThang: The Unpaid GigAmy Goldman Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12097402730754013139noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-17261701475503142582011-11-16T09:55:40.627-08:002011-11-16T09:55:40.627-08:00As a librarian, I am SO grateful to the children&#...As a librarian, I am SO grateful to the children's and YA book authors who have appeared at our libraries. Once we had the funds to pay you (and hopefully we will again), but for now, we're doing everything we can to connect books - and authors - with kids.<br />7 amazing YA authors presented an almost-free book panel discussion for and with our 75 YA Librarians last week (I was able to afford gift certificates to our Library Store as a tiny token of my huge appreciation). Wow, what a morning - the authors tackled issues large and small with hilarious and thought-provoking insights. <br />Our librarians went away newly inspired to get books into the hands of teens - and to purchase those 7 authors' books for their libraries (we added them all to the November order sheet).<br />So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for those free appearances! They mean so much to us.<br />Eva Mitnick<br />LA Public LibraryEva Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921035998297319995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-66127642997119754392011-11-14T18:48:13.786-08:002011-11-14T18:48:13.786-08:00As a former children's book publisher, I advis...As a former children's book publisher, I advised writers/illustrators not to do free gigs which, of course, excludes autographing books in bookstores. Writers/illustrators should not be confused with performers and if their books are not avilable at the library, etc., avoid the gig.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-32218150479016201372011-11-14T15:58:05.277-08:002011-11-14T15:58:05.277-08:00Dahlinks, thanks for all the comments. WE ARE NOT ...Dahlinks, thanks for all the comments. WE ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!!!<br />xoxo AmyAmy Goldman Kosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12097402730754013139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-16620625873407101992011-11-14T15:07:28.325-08:002011-11-14T15:07:28.325-08:00Susan, I actually TRIED to do that with the local ...Susan, I actually TRIED to do that with the local festival, at least via e-mail, asking questions like, "Okay, you're not paying but you're going to publicize this and put something about it in the paper, right?" I basically started feeling like they thought I was being a prima dona, and it's hard to back out once you've said you're available (busy being the best excuse for not doing a free local gig). Of course, they didn't publicize it, and the only people at the session were my friends and the other authors' friends. And no pinot!Alex Flinnhttp://www.alexflinn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-90879409703740474272011-11-14T14:34:32.618-08:002011-11-14T14:34:32.618-08:00A good post for a new author to read. Thank you.A good post for a new author to read. Thank you.Kathy McCulloughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02241700558365544977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-55349207525838982542011-11-14T14:30:45.101-08:002011-11-14T14:30:45.101-08:00We often forget that our time IS money. That's...We often forget that our time IS money. That's one thing that being a freelance journalist has taught me. As my former MBA self would say, when we do freebies, we have to consider the opportunity cost of the time spent not writing.Sarah Darer Littmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00780738493733344947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-60587211245228449722011-11-14T13:51:49.537-08:002011-11-14T13:51:49.537-08:00How about drawing up a simple contract, outlining ...How about drawing up a simple contract, outlining your expectations and stating your understanding as to number of presentations, size of audience, type of workshop to be offered, etc. Even if your visit is free or for a nominal fee, the fact of entering a legal agreement may help the host to see you as the professional you are.susan patronhttp://susanpatron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-18341162275319140872011-11-14T13:21:38.619-08:002011-11-14T13:21:38.619-08:00So true. The one I keep coming back to is the (ve...So true. The one I keep coming back to is the (very prestigious) local festival that invited me and several YA authors to speak for free. They apparently had a cocktail party the night of the festival but didn't invite us locals. Like, really? I speak for free, and you can't manage a glass of cheap pinot???<br /><br />HOWEVER, I had the opposite experience last week. I never do free school visits because I've found that if I do, the kids aren't prepared, plus I don't have time to go to every school. A local school asked me to come, and I quoted them a very nominal fee (far less than what I charge for out-of-town gigs), just so they'd take it seriously. When I opened my honorarium, I found that half of it was a personal check from the teacher. I'm sending it back and telling them I'll do it for the half-fee next year if they want. The kids were great.Alex Flinnhttp://www.alexflinn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-56967213554230604342011-11-14T09:57:49.849-08:002011-11-14T09:57:49.849-08:00Excellent post. Sadly even the paid gigs can some...Excellent post. Sadly even the paid gigs can sometimes leave you roaming the campus to find where you need to be and there's not even a bottle of water for your journey. We have to pick and choose our freebies and we have to find the big payoff in a question, comment or the writing of one of the students -- It truly is priceless.Hope Smithhttp://www.hopeanitasmith.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-37513764381042541922011-11-14T09:56:31.560-08:002011-11-14T09:56:31.560-08:00Is this because of me?????
I totally get it! I...Is this because of me?????<br />I totally get it! I'm an artist and teacher and I'm always expected<br />to do gigs for nothing just to be visible - at 55 years old<br />my work should be worth more than "it'll give you exposure". I've<br />exposed myself enough - especially on the west coast. I make less now than I did 35 years ago when I first started teaching. 13 years ago I was respected - very visible - University Associate Professor - director of a dance company - well supported - paid well for my work - I moved to LA and as one owner of the hottest dance studio in town remarked to me - sorry but you're nothing if you don't have TV credits - I responded - does PBS count? Amy - I am so so so sorry. I have always loved your work - Sarah read her fair share of the Goldman Koss books. Just brainstorming ideas for our event. Love you and miss you. So the end of this comment and the answer to my dilemma is I'm moving back to the east coast - already have invitations to work in Boston/JN studio, Boston Conservatory, UARTS, JUnlimited in Philly - will be living in DC.Beth I.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-1068801709479896282011-11-14T07:55:24.183-08:002011-11-14T07:55:24.183-08:00It was a shock when I first started out in the chi...It was a shock when I first started out in the children's book author business to learn that I was treated best by people paying me and that I got very little appreciation for freebies. In fact, I found the MORE people paid, the more enthusiastic they were! That being said, this year I have done a lot of freebies (and have several more to come) because of the reasons you stated, Amy. And I'm coming away from that experience knowing I'm going to pass on a lot of these in the future. My time is worth a lot, at least to me!Betty Birneyhttp://bettybirney.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-90549277105476272442011-11-14T05:43:33.169-08:002011-11-14T05:43:33.169-08:00Do I ever get this one, Amy. My favorite was the p...Do I ever get this one, Amy. My favorite was the principal who wanted me to do a "do-over day" after doing nonstop writing workshops with kids for 5 five hours straight in packed groups of 40-50, because after school I only read and talked to the teachers about writing in a teacher workshop instead of making them write. And remember when we went on after Clifford? Actually, I think I just did - you saw the writing on the wall when the two-year-olds clamored for Clifford to come back. I sent JACK off yesterday.<br /><br />Love<br />KerryKerry Madden-Lunsfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07645657863504896110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-21356004750949901322011-11-14T05:23:20.910-08:002011-11-14T05:23:20.910-08:00I get this completely. It's sad, but too often...I get this completely. It's sad, but too often true.Sharon Creechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01297551991159941966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-38683610754005880182011-11-14T02:03:07.440-08:002011-11-14T02:03:07.440-08:00I share your pain! People may not realize how easy...I share your pain! People may not realize how easy it is to make an event so much more author-friendly, (and worthwhile). Give the books a little push so we don't have to (free publicity = a book sale or two =a bit of author payment).Carol Tanzmanhttp://www.caroltanzman.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-81074681059117069722011-11-13T22:35:46.837-08:002011-11-13T22:35:46.837-08:00Amy, so true, so well-said, as usual. It's th...Amy, so true, so well-said, as usual. It's the same in all the arts, I think. I do a LOT for free as a teacher/choreographer/dancer.Leigh Purtillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00477635525179050959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-62997937910780774062011-11-13T21:07:54.154-08:002011-11-13T21:07:54.154-08:00Great post.
After too many bad experiences, I...Great post. <br /><br />After too many bad experiences, I've gotten much more miserly about doing things for free.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524528659549738765.post-84139393006711444832011-11-13T19:23:52.897-08:002011-11-13T19:23:52.897-08:00Amy,
I tried to attach a dollar to this comment to...Amy,<br />I tried to attach a dollar to this comment to pay for services rendered, but the bill kept falling off the screen.<br />Lupe F.The Pen and Ink Blogspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01709195512534318571noreply@blogger.com