Cash Advance

Writing for a cash advance is the name of the game in the geekbook world. But truth be told, the advance money is far less in this genre then it is for mass market books. When some folks think of the author's world, they think of fat cash advances and luxurious tropical vacations, filled with sumptuous meals, beautiful women, and expensive watercraft. While most of that's a pipe dream, the cash advance remains at the core of the appeal of authorship.

Geekbook contracts usually fall into one of two categories: either work for hire (WFH) or royalty. With a work for hire gig, the author is paid a flat amount--starting with an initial cash advance--to deliver a book. With a royalty deal, the author is paid a cash advance on a percentage of the book's sales; if a book sells well, the author has the potential to share in the book's success. Over the years, my gigs have fallen on both sides of the WFH/royalty fence. I don't have a preference for one method over the other, as long as it's a good deal in its own right.

When a publisher gives an author a cash advance, it's a show of good faith. Once the author cashes that first advance check, they are obligated to the publisher to deliver the goods. For the uninitiated, it's an odd feeling to be paid a substantial sum of money before doing anything. We've been programmed by society to feel that we should only be paid after the job is done. But with writing (and other endeavors, some creative, some not), it's typical for a portion of the cash to be paid in advance.

In my early days, I toiled away at a full time job in insurance marketing. I penned six editions of Inside CorelDRAW at night and during the early mornings before I left for my real job. It was a tremendous ordeal to work what amounted to two full-time jobs. But I had a hugely successful book back then, and I became hooked on the stream of royalties and cash advances.

Then things changed and I switched day jobs. Sales of that first book tailed off and I began to look for more projects to moonlight on. In my busiest twelve month period, I worked on four separate books, in addition to working full time.

Then I got things in perspective. I quit my day gig and began to focus first on my family, and then on my career. I became more selective about the book deals and strove to work smarter. I decided to write only the books I really wanted to write.

These days, I'm still out there pitching for the advance money. But I'm looking strictly at book projects that a) interest me, b) have the potential to reach a substantial audience (even within a niche), and c) are flat out cool.

It's taken me a year to get my latest book put to bed. It's not quite there yet, but it's getting very very close. And it's been a year well spent ... this is the most beautiful book I've ever done, largely because it features the artwork of a great many truly wonderful artists and studios.

I'll write more about it soon, but until then, the rest of that advance money is burning a hole in my pocket and the mortgage has to get paid ... ;)