Young Writers Society

I'm gonna try starting a topic every now and then about hypothetical situations concerning writing... lets see how it goes

For years, you've been on the internet and have posted all your works and writings on sites ranging from YWS to writing.com, and finally someone out there in the publishing world has noticed your work, and not only have they noticed it, but to want to pay for it too. Yet because they want to see a return on what they publish, and you can't get a good return on stuff that is available for free, they want you to remove everything you have written on the net in regards to your stories and poems. Also, they make no promise that all of it will be published, but if you don't do it, they won't give you a publishing contract and consequently no money. Also, as part of the contract, you agree that any future work you produce is their property.

So would you do it? Exchange your artisitic freedom for a publishing deal? Also, where would you draw the line? Say fifty dollars, or fifty thousand dollars? Or whatever amount?

I wouldn't go for it. Risking my writing for something that could possibly be a scam...nuh uh.

If something came up where I actually needed the money then I wouldn't mind trading my sould for not even half a million. But then again I can always make that much working for 5 years at a McDonalds....

I wouldn't do it. I value my writing, when I write something, it comes from weeks, if not months of thought and note taking. When I write something, it's almost a part of me, it's a creation that I wouldn't want anyone else to claim.

I wouldn't do it. My uncle has connections with a publisher that's FOR SURE, so why would I risk anything less than actual publishing. Plus, I wouldn't sell my writing to one particular company. No way.

I'd research the company first. If it's the real deal then I probably would go for it, and if I managed to get published I would hope to keep getting published by them sort of a loyalty thing. But if I found out they ain't a legit company then I wouldn't go for it, I'm not risking my stuff for something I'm going to regret.

For a billion dollars, I'd consider it.

No seriously, I probably wouldn't do it. I love my poems too much.

Never. It's a) too risky and b) sounds like a con. They can't have my poetry if I don't get paid first.

I'd research the company first... if everything checked out, then I'd strongly consider it, depending on just how much money we were talking about. Money's sort of tight and I could always use a nice chunk of cash to put into savings...

I wouldn't do it. I write for myself first, publishers second. And I hate people controlling me, so it wouldn't end well.

I wouldn't even give it a thought before saying no. First, you don't even know that these people are publishers. Second, you want controll of your work, and that's an invasion of your free will. Third, it just sounds fishy, and doesn't sound like a good deal.

Me to. Plus I smell a scam here. Plus I want the freedom to publish my work where I want to.

I'd definately do it!

Cause my writing is worth nothing. So it's not going to happen.

I can't answer that question... Mainly because contracts can vary greatly. Control of your writing? Are you kidding? Writing is an act of random thoughts put on a 2D scale, why would you try to control such a thing? If you do get stuck with publishers, and rights and all, just use logic and what feels right to you. If you don't like that fact of so much control in your writing, then don't accept the offer (pull your manuscript and go to someone else). If you are okay with the timely manner of certain contracts, then be my guest. Money should not be of any concern, as writing is your first priority. I understand that whether being a writer has difficulties in finacial areas, but if you used logic you wouldn't be in the situation would you? Anyways, I might have or not answered the question... It tired and frustrated me to keep my thoughts on publishing and being a writer to myself, be grateful I'm in a good mood? People these days are not clicking with me, whether it's them or me.

-BS

Erm ... no. Deffinately no. I don't get on with people who try to control me, same as Crysi, and I'd probably chuck a mental if they tried to use that contract to prevent me furthering my career and get myself sued for murder by ball point pen. So, on that basis, no. On any other basis ... no.