In honor of last night’s season premiere of Bones, a question from Karen, who asks:
I was watching Bones the other day and the character Temperance Brennan mentioned that her publisher gave her a car! That got me thinking… since we all know how Hollywood often gets real jobs wrong. But do publishers often gift their bestselling authors with extravagant items (and would you take 15%…just kidding-lol)? I find it a bit hard to believe since a bestselling author could probably buy their own car, right?
Yeah, I remember that episode. And I remember laughing and laughing. In my experience, I’ve never heard of a publisher giving an author a car. Flowers, yes. Cakes, sure. Other small, portable gifts? Why not? But a car? I don’t think so.
And certainly not in THIS economy.
Which is fine. I don’t want a publisher shopping for a car for one of my authors. I’d rather know they’re working on selling copies of the book, and preparing to send me a nice fat royalty check — which an author could use to buy a car, if they wanted.
Now, I *have* heard of tv or movie studios giving cars to their stars. So I’m going to take this one as an example of what’s done in one industry being mistaken for something normal in another one.
But heck, just because it doesn’t happen doesn’t mean we can’t dream, right? If the publishing industry worked like it seems to in film or tv, and you were a bestselling author, what extravagant gift would you want from your publisher?
9 thoughts on “Ask Daphne! Where’s My Car?”
David Tennant.
*laughs* Okay, this sounds bizarre, but… I'd donate my old car at once for the tax write-off.
Thanks for answering my question! I kinda already knew that it wasn't true, but I thought hey, there may be some truth to it. And I agree, I wouldn't want my publisher picking out a car for me. I'd rather have cold hard cash! But if I had to choose a gift from my publisher (well, when I get one) I would say an all expense paid trip somewhere…somewhere that has a spa!
Oh and Amy, are you asking your publisher for David? I didn't know it was open to people, because in that case…I'll take Jensen Ackles.
Yes, I am asking my future hypothetical publisher for David. Kate, I hope you are mentioning that in your calls and emails! I don't see why people can't be part of negotiating. It seems perfectly reasonable to me!
I'll take Hugh Jackman. And a small island. With wifi.
What about travel expenses for book tours? Is the author expected to cover that or will the publisher cover it as a promotional expense?
I'd like them to pay for all my "research" trips to foreign countries.
Custom writing retreat in a gorgeous, secluded forest of course!
I'll split it down the middle between Amy and Sarah: David Tennant, small island, wifi. I'll take care of the rest, thanks. 🙂