Just got the email that we’re officially on strike! I stand with my fellow screenwriters in the
#WGA
! The same existential threat for writers that’s happening in Hollywood is also happening in publishing, where we don’t have a union, and that’s truly terrifying.🧵
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From advances being split into 4-5 payments, to contracts dragging out 8 months (seriously, I started working on a new book in Sept, it’s now May, still no contract! No payment!), how exactly does one live as a “successful writer”? Seriously, asking for a friend. 😂
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For books that do earn out and are making our publishers a ton of money, we get paid twice a year for them. That’s it. I don’t know of any other profession where people are paid 2x a year. Oh and we’re not given any info either between these two dates. So we’re just wondering…
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Even though it’s 2023 and we’re surrounded by data. Oh and the money we’re paid in March, it’s actually from LAST YEAR’S sales.
So effectively our publishers are all getting interest free loans.
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But this is not just about money. I am deeply worried about where we are gonna go. Did u know that the WGA is fighting to make studios not buy AI source material? That may be our biggest protection if they win that, bc we authors don’t have ANYTHING protecting us from AI…
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And while all this is bleak, I hope it lights a fire in us all. C’mon guys—let’s take a page from Hollywood. Without our words, there’s nothing to publish. (Yet.) Let’s figure this out while we still have some bargaining power.
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@kellyyanghk
As a screenwriter, standing with you! Appalled that there is no union for writers in publishing!
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@kellyyanghk
I find this silly at best. The reason why seasons are shorter is the cost. Actors across the board have taken in cases up to 25% pay loss with shorter seasons. And so you want more. Be serious about what you are fighting for. Strikers never make up the lost money.
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@kellyyanghk
We must change the way we work. With intention and attention to the
#Creators
we can nurture communities that flourish, where PEOPLE, projects, AND bottom lines thrive and work for everyone, NOT just a select few.
#Quailityoflife
#NOTZEROSUM
#WGA
#writersstrike
@whenisnowpod
#RAD
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@kellyyanghk
100%, Kelly. If we had a union, payment structures and the glacial time it takes for contracts would be my top two issues! It's honestly unconscionable and creates unnecessary financial instability for authors. Which is a huge barrier to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 😕
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