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What's a Freelance RPG Writer Worth?
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<blockquote data-quote="Steve Conan Trustrum" data-source="post: 7659076" data-attributes="member: 1620"><p>When you initially say "but anybody capable of using a word processor's "print to PDF" function can get a few nibbles off DTRPG" as an illustration that anyone can make a profit at self-publishing, I don't believe you do know the difference between profit and making a sale.</p><p>"can and will"</p><p></p><p>"will"</p><p></p><p>Really?</p><p></p><p>You're again assuming a hell of a lot.</p><p></p><p>Like someone who WANTS to become a writer actually knowing how to write.</p><p></p><p>And knowing how to write for the RPG market.</p><p></p><p>And that knowing how to write for the RPG market also means having the ability to select and then write a product that the market will show interest in, no matter how many people assure you the market is there because they've said "oh, I'd TOTALLY buy that if it was available" but, as it turns out, the rest of the market who doesn't happen to know you personally disagrees.</p><p></p><p>Even when the person has all the skills and will necessary, as you are assuming to be so, success and profit are not guaranteed.</p><p></p><p>You take a lot for granted and speak in an awful lot of absolutes considering the massive failure rate amongst writers and self-publishers, including those who have the necessary skills.</p><p></p><p>It most certainly is relevant when people are talking about earning a living wage. Because what people think they deserve as a fair rate for their work, be it writing or art, ultimately doesn't decide how much they get paid for it. The amount of money the publisher has coming in and has left to pay freelancers based on their profitability determines that. </p><p></p><p>Someone can say "my work is worth X amount of money" all they want, but if the profit to be made form that work means the product no longer becomes worth publishing, then no, they aren't worth that rate, no matter how skilled they are.</p><p></p><p>But that's my point: your entire proposed point of "just go self-publish" just assumes this to be so. Most people who think they're good enough to write RPG material simply aren't. Finding that out is one of the benefits of freelancing instead of, as you suggest, just jumping into self-publishing because of the relatively low entrance bar it requires. Your assumption that even skilled RPG writers can make it as self-publishers is also flat out wrong. Yes, some can, but some simply won't ever be able to wrap their heads around the process or learn the skills needed.</p><p></p><p>Do you think everyone can figure out Sribus? InDesign? Even how to use Word to get an acceptable looking layout?</p><p></p><p>How about knowing how to brand products -- or even what "branding" means? Because, I have to tell you, far too many small publishers have no idea when it comes to this.</p><p></p><p>And do they all have an eye for graphic design? Font selection? Maintaining proper eye flow during layout when the time comes to figure out where to place those sidebars?</p><p></p><p>Do they understand the legalities of copyrights and trademarks? Considering one of the lowest entry bars in self-publishing for the RPG industry is OGL-based publishing, do you think all writers can understand what that entails? Do you think they'll all figure out how to do it properly and legally?</p><p></p><p>Because it's all so easy so long as you put in the time and discipline, as you say?</p><p></p><p>Oh, not many, relative to the overall pool, to be sure. But the fact that you think "just go self-publish!" is some easy answer to that conundrum is just ... confounding.</p><p></p><p>No.</p><p></p><p>Categorically, no you won't.</p><p></p><p>It's not guaranteed. It's not even in the greatest realm of possibility.</p><p></p><p>Sure, you'll be able to "self-publish" in the sense that you can get a product out there, but you will NOT "categorically" make a profit from it just because you put the time in.</p><p></p><p>I mean ... wow ... the liberties you take with the realities of self-publishing, let alone doing so profitably, are so far removed from what the industry is actually like, I really don't know how to respond to your claims at this point beyond staring at my screen in disbelieve at the absurdity of it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Steve Conan Trustrum, post: 7659076, member: 1620"] When you initially say "but anybody capable of using a word processor's "print to PDF" function can get a few nibbles off DTRPG" as an illustration that anyone can make a profit at self-publishing, I don't believe you do know the difference between profit and making a sale. "can and will" "will" Really? You're again assuming a hell of a lot. Like someone who WANTS to become a writer actually knowing how to write. And knowing how to write for the RPG market. And that knowing how to write for the RPG market also means having the ability to select and then write a product that the market will show interest in, no matter how many people assure you the market is there because they've said "oh, I'd TOTALLY buy that if it was available" but, as it turns out, the rest of the market who doesn't happen to know you personally disagrees. Even when the person has all the skills and will necessary, as you are assuming to be so, success and profit are not guaranteed. You take a lot for granted and speak in an awful lot of absolutes considering the massive failure rate amongst writers and self-publishers, including those who have the necessary skills. It most certainly is relevant when people are talking about earning a living wage. Because what people think they deserve as a fair rate for their work, be it writing or art, ultimately doesn't decide how much they get paid for it. The amount of money the publisher has coming in and has left to pay freelancers based on their profitability determines that. Someone can say "my work is worth X amount of money" all they want, but if the profit to be made form that work means the product no longer becomes worth publishing, then no, they aren't worth that rate, no matter how skilled they are. But that's my point: your entire proposed point of "just go self-publish" just assumes this to be so. Most people who think they're good enough to write RPG material simply aren't. Finding that out is one of the benefits of freelancing instead of, as you suggest, just jumping into self-publishing because of the relatively low entrance bar it requires. Your assumption that even skilled RPG writers can make it as self-publishers is also flat out wrong. Yes, some can, but some simply won't ever be able to wrap their heads around the process or learn the skills needed. Do you think everyone can figure out Sribus? InDesign? Even how to use Word to get an acceptable looking layout? How about knowing how to brand products -- or even what "branding" means? Because, I have to tell you, far too many small publishers have no idea when it comes to this. And do they all have an eye for graphic design? Font selection? Maintaining proper eye flow during layout when the time comes to figure out where to place those sidebars? Do they understand the legalities of copyrights and trademarks? Considering one of the lowest entry bars in self-publishing for the RPG industry is OGL-based publishing, do you think all writers can understand what that entails? Do you think they'll all figure out how to do it properly and legally? Because it's all so easy so long as you put in the time and discipline, as you say? Oh, not many, relative to the overall pool, to be sure. But the fact that you think "just go self-publish!" is some easy answer to that conundrum is just ... confounding. No. Categorically, no you won't. It's not guaranteed. It's not even in the greatest realm of possibility. Sure, you'll be able to "self-publish" in the sense that you can get a product out there, but you will NOT "categorically" make a profit from it just because you put the time in. I mean ... wow ... the liberties you take with the realities of self-publishing, let alone doing so profitably, are so far removed from what the industry is actually like, I really don't know how to respond to your claims at this point beyond staring at my screen in disbelieve at the absurdity of it. [/QUOTE]
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