book packager

[CrissaChappell]

My agent just emailed me a question:

"How would you feel about writing for a packager? Basically, they come up with the idea, series outline and plot outline for the first book, and my colleague and I provide the writer."

My first response is....yuck, no, never. Has anyone had experience in this field?

[scribbler1382]

I know a good number of people who have done this (no, not me) and it seemed to work out for them. It takes a certain kind of writer, though. And you need to go in with your eyes wide open. You sort of have to think of it like moonlighting on your writing career, unless you're trying to build a career writing for packagers, that is. Quite frequently, your name will never appear anywhere on the finished product.

But, if you can crank out the pages and still keep your "real" writing career going, it can be a good way to get some cash and pad your coverletter.

[Richard White]

I do licensed novels so I'm quite familiar with that concept. Although, usually it's not quite that restricted. We come up with the concept and the company that owns the license then pitches it to the licensor. If they like it, I write my story, the editor does his magic, then the licensor has the right to say, "I love what you've done, go with it" or "I like this, but could you tweak that" or "Holy crap, who the heck thought this was a good idea?"

It's strictly work for hire but it's a great way to develop my chops and be involved in something I like.

I've never had someone say, "here's an idea for a story, go write it" but it sounds like an interesting challenge. I'd go for it, if the story concept interested me.

If your agent is looking for someone, give them my name ;)

[Jamesaritchie]

I've never had someone say, "here's an idea for a story, go write it" but it sounds like an interesting challenge. I'd go for it, if the story concept interested me.

If your agent is looking for someone, give them my name ;)

I've had to do just this, but it was a publisher who gave me the idea, basic plot, and character bios and limitations. It is a challenge, and for my part, I doubt I'll ever do it again, though the pay is very, very good.

[icerose]

My agent just emailed me a question:

"How would you feel about writing for a packager? Basically, they come up with the idea, series outline and plot outline for the first book, and my colleague and I provide the writer."

My first response is....yuck, no, never. Has anyone had experience in this field?

If they were offering me money, yeah I would do it. Too poor not too lol. Seriously I don't think it would be so bad unless the story and outline they had really sucked but coming from your agent I would say it would be a pretty good story line.

[CrissaChappell]

Let's talk cash. What kind of pay? Probably not enough to quit my daytime job as a college professor....

[Jamesaritchie]

Let's talk cash. What kind of pay? Probably not enough to quit my daytime job as a college professor....

Good question. I've never worked through a packager, but I've heard the pay is not great.

The job I did was ghostwriting a book for a publisher. I had to use an outline and character bios and a list of can do this and can't do that, etc. But that job paid, well, let me say it paid roughly what a tenured college professor at a good college would earn in a year. I think. Maybe such professors earn a lot more now than they did a few years ago.

And since it didn't take anywhere close to a year to write the book, the pay rate was very good.

[Garpy]

Given what James hinted at what he was paid....that's probably more money earned, than most of us will earn from a debut novel!

[CrissaChappell]

Thank you so much for helping me out. I appreciate it!

--crissa

http://blog.myspace.com/crissajean

[CrissaChappell]

One more thought---a novelist friend of mine emailed today and said:

Your instincts are so excellent. Packagers are not good for the
industry, therefore to moonlight as one is to shoot yourself in the
foot. You don't get royalties and you're writing what someone else
wants you to write. It's only good for the publishers. So a polite "that's not for me" is the correct answer.

[maestrowork]

I know people who do that for a living. Pretty good money. Tight schedule (lots of caffeine and cigs)...

Not for me.