CEM Organization: About Making Money

In the last week, I have been asked three times to give away significant amounts of my time and expertise to people who are putting on programs or putting together materials for a good cause. In two out of the three cases, the people asking were actually fairly rude and demanding about what they wanted from me. And by the third request-- which came this morning -- I snapped.

Why is it that so many people think authors can give away so much of their time for free? Where do they suppose we get the books that they ask us to donate? How do they expect us to fund the time that it takes to prepare for their event, to get to their event, to perform at their event? It's the craziest thing! I would never ask my dentist to work for free, or my lawyer, or my hairdresser, and yet people seem to think that it's part of an author's job to do programs and events for free. Maybe they mistake all authors for best-selling authors. Maybe they think that because Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling make so much money, all authors are raking in the dough.

I like it that people want me to show up. I think it's wonderful that they think I have something to offer. I appreciate that they are trying to support worthy causes.

But for the foreseeable future? I'm saying no. I am, after all, trying to write a novel....

Documentary about the residents of the Duplex Nursing Home

Mark Frauenfelder at 3:16 PM Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010

One of my favorite zines in the late 1980s and early 1990s was Duplex Planet. It was founded in 1979 by David Greenberger, the activities director of the Duplex Nursing Home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. In each issue, David would ask the residents questions and run their answers without editing them. (Greenberg still publishes Duplex Planet!)

Here's a sample question, with answers by residents:

WOULD YOU SPEND A MONTH MAKING A HANDLE FOR A YARD TOOL OR SPEND SEVEN DOLLARS TO BUY A NEW ONE INSTEAD?

FRANK KANSLASKY: I don't need it, so what the hell do I want to buy it for? 
BILL LAGASSE: They ain't reliable if you make 'em yourself.

ANDY LEGRICE: Buy one, it's already made. Why spend three or four weeks on it when you can buy one?

FRANCIS MCELROY: I'd spend seven dollars to buy a new one, then I'd know I had it -- when you buy it, you know you got your product. 
LEO GERMINO: It depends on if you really need it -- you need that money for your room rent and for your ways of living. The only people that can buy them things is the very rich people.

GEORGE STINGEL: I'd buy one, they're already made.

ERNIE BROOKINGS: I'd make it. It could be if I had seven dollars I'd buy it, but I don't have the seven dollars right now. 
FRANK: What's he say, that he'd make it? 
DBG: Yes. 
FRANK: He's a Yankee, that's why.

JOHN FAY: I wouldn't spend no seven dollars for one. There's all kinds of tools right here. Eddie Meade's got all kinds of tools here.

CHARLES SHEA: Seven dollars to buy a new one, it's easier.

ABE SURGECOFF: A second one, right? A new one is too much, an old one is practical. If it's new tools you have to put this and that and linseed oil on them. If it's old you can keep it long.

ED POINDEXTER: I would buy one, it's cheaper.

Above, part one of a 1993 documentary by Paul Athanas and Jay Rooney about the residents of the the Duplex Nursing Home, called Your Own True Self.

Documentary about the residents of the Duplex Nursing Home

Mark Frauenfelder at 3:16 PM Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010

Here's a sample question, with answers by residents:

WOULD YOU SPEND A MONTH MAKING A HANDLE FOR A YARD TOOL OR SPEND SEVEN DOLLARS TO BUY A NEW ONE INSTEAD?

FRANK KANSLASKY: I don't need it, so what the hell do I want to buy it for? 
BILL LAGASSE: They ain't reliable if you make 'em yourself.

ANDY LEGRICE: Buy one, it's already made. Why spend three or four weeks on it when you can buy one?

FRANCIS MCELROY: I'd spend seven dollars to buy a new one, then I'd know I had it -- when you buy it, you know you got your product. 
LEO GERMINO: It depends on if you really need it -- you need that money for your room rent and for your ways of living. The only people that can buy them things is the very rich people.

GEORGE STINGEL: I'd buy one, they're already made.

ERNIE BROOKINGS: I'd make it. It could be if I had seven dollars I'd buy it, but I don't have the seven dollars right now. 
FRANK: What's he say, that he'd make it? 
DBG: Yes. 
FRANK: He's a Yankee, that's why.

JOHN FAY: I wouldn't spend no seven dollars for one. There's all kinds of tools right here. Eddie Meade's got all kinds of tools here.

CHARLES SHEA: Seven dollars to buy a new one, it's easier.

ABE SURGECOFF: A second one, right? A new one is too much, an old one is practical. If it's new tools you have to put this and that and linseed oil on them. If it's old you can keep it long.

ED POINDEXTER: I would buy one, it's cheaper.

Above, part one of a 1993 documentary by Paul Athanas and Jay Rooney about the residents of the the Duplex Nursing Home, called Your Own True Self.

robert shumake

CEM Organization

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

About Making Money

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