MOON GODDESS said:
Perdita,
I wanted to contact a lawyer about legal things like wording of releases, payment (if any) and copyright.
I've seen too many people get screwed by others along the way, but I really don't think they would be a great help in the literary world.
BTW, did anyone have an anthology that included a payment? I'm not trying to be nosy, just wondering if it makes a difference in the quality of writing received, if anyone knows.
Okay, yes, I understand what you mean. I had my lawyer approve the release we worked out... I insisted on the right to edit (change/alter/add/delete) anything in any story though I did work with each author individually so that they were all happy.
There's a book called COP TALES 2000 that was an anthology and paid for the stories, I think... $200 each? This was a group of writers, though, who banded together to publish a collection so they all had writing experience/abilities to some degree... many had books published.
Isn't that about what the Chicken Soup people pay?
I have been offered two more books to do and all the money will go to charity, period. That's what I've decided and most storytellers think that's fine, they just want to be published.
But be clear up front or the storytellers will think you're scamming them and will use their work to make money for yourself.
In my experience, a nominal payment doesn't matter -- the stories are about the same as in real life:
10% just perfect the way they are
10% really not what you're looking for (possibly because the person didn't meet the criteria, for example, people wrote stories about how they felt about this disaster when they saw it on the news though they weren't actually there... and that brings up an important point, you have to verify each and every account to make sure the story is true (if you are saying they are).
80% Great to read aloud to family and friends but not up to a publisher's standard... so you need a GREAT editor.
Anthologies are a LOT of work. You really need to want to do it and think that it will benefit the world... or you will be worn out and your own work will take a back seat.
My 2.5 cents