The Value of Creative Work (A Rant in Blog Form) (Patreon)

I was actually going to write about something else today--what with you guys being on Patreon and supporting me, then clearly you're a big fan of putting your money where your heart is in regards to the art that you love.

But I'm at work, and there's this customer who comes in almost every week and whenever I see him my blood pressure spikes and I basically shut down because otherwise I'm going to say something unfortunate and lose my job. And I need my job.

The day after Christmas in retail is always rough. You're likely tired and worn out from festivities and so are the customers. Many are just not their usual cheerful selves. I worked that shift last year, opening bright and early December 26th. My very first customer wanted to return a book. This is pretty common right after the holidays, so I didn't think anything of it. But when I asked (which is standard) if there was any reason why he was returning it (is it misprinted or broken in some way, or just not your thing?) he said, "I read it too fast." 

I stared at him.

Becuase whaaaaaaa? You don't return a meal at a resteraunt because it was so delicious that you ate it too quickly. And my tired brain just...stopped. I didn't know how to respond, so I called a manager assuming he'd tell the guy no. But my manager was tired too, and just said, "whatever" and let the guy exchange his book for another.

Which that guy has been doing just about every Saturday since last Christmas. And possibly other days--that's just when I see him. He's worked his way through Baldacci and I think Grisham. He gives a different reason now, so I haven't been able to call him on it. He is technically within our return policy. He's also, technically, a total asshole. 

1) This is not a man who can't afford books. He is clean, well dressed, and his clothes are nice, and this is a fairly affluent neighborhood.

2) There is a god damn library DOWNSTAIRS from the bookstore. You don't even need to walk that far, because there's an escalator, and I know they carry those authors. Grocery stores carry those authors.

3) He is ripping off the bookstore, something you don't really want to do if you want to continue to have a local independent bookshop.

4) He's ripping off those authors. They aren't seeing a dime.

Whether or not Baldacci or Grisham would be considered "artists" to you isn't really the point. They wrote a book. The customer is clearly enjoying thier work. And he is stealing it. It's no different from illegally downloading a book.  Finacially, I assume those writers are doing okay. But again, not the point. 

Writers get a percentage of the sale of their book. For example, I think I get seven percent of each paperback sold--depending on how it's sold. I can't remember what the percentages are for books sold to libraries, schools, audio books, etc. (It's a weird and complicated business.)

Seven percent is not a lot, and honestly I'm pretty sure it's actually six. Especially when you think about the fact that I am the creator. But for whatever reason, we love creators, but not actually paying them. I do get more for hardcover sales--I think ten percent? There is something called an "elevator clause" which would bump my percentage up a point or two  if I sold a certain amount of copies in the first few months. I've never hit it, so I don't pay much attention. 

But that means for each hard cover, you're essentially buying me a bottle of pop. And not a big bottle--one of the little ones. And if it's paperback, then it's a can of soda. And if the book is discounted on Amazon...then I have no idea. I am not saying this to make you feel bad for me, or bad about how you purchase your books. I appreticate any and all support I get, and love people picking up my book at the local library. Because if my book gets checked out enough, they get more copies. And people talk about the books they loved to thier local librarian, and it helps get the book on their radar. Also, libraries, man--what's not to love?

But if a book is stolen, the author gets zero percent. 

And if a series doesn't sell enough copies, the series gets cancelled.

And if book sales are poor for an author, their next advance is less and it's harder for them to sell their next book.

It's a terrible ripple effect. My last book was being downloaded off the internet before it was even out, which is a dubious honor at best, because not only are they stealing my book, but they're stealing the digital ARC edition that was meant for booksellers, reviewers and librarians, and is generally an edit or so behind, so it wasn't even the finished book.

It makes my head hurt and my heart hurt and all of those stolen copies add up. So when I see someone like this customer who is symbolically (and kind of literally) stealing from both my livelihoods, I am suddenly filled with rage.

As a consumer, I try to really pay attention to where I'm spending my money. I try to buy local and indie and buy things from creators. I try and support companies that are ethical and eco friendly. It isn't always possible, but I try.

And this customer...ugh.

I am sorry this has been such a rant post. I was going to write about something more positive, and I think I will in a day or two to make it up to you.

But thank you, friends. Thank you for supporting me and artists and creators. It means the world to us.

(The image used for this blog post is from the book Mother Bruce, which is an AWESOME kid's book and you guys should read it/buy it.)