Having the Contracts to Quit On© by Holly Lisle
All Rights Reserved
If this sounds ominously like I'm saying you have to sell a book
before you quit, that's because I am. Don't quit the day job because
you got a killer idea for a series, or because you're sick of work
and you think writing would be more fun (it would---but that's not
the point) or because you've finished your first book and your friends
all love it. For that matter, don't quit the day the editor calls
you and tells you that she wants to buy your first book. Don't quit
the day you sign the first contract, or the day you receive your
first advance. The best
book I've read on being a professional writer has an article
describing when you should consider quitting your day job. Buy the
book and read that for an in-depth analysis of when you're ready.
In brief, though, and from my experience, you're safe to quit when:
- You're making as much money at writing as you are at the day
job.
- You've made that much money for at least a couple of years,
and it isn't all in advances on books that you haven't written
yet and won't be able to get to for a while. Most if not all of
it should be in royalties, although mine isn't. This fact makes
my life a lot hairier than it would be otherwise, but I can't
tell you that you can't live off of advances. I can only tell
you that you shouldn't.
- You're getting royalties on at least some of your titles, and
at least some of your books are being reprinted.
- Your agent gets you a deal that will cover your finances for
several years and guarantee your work for several books (if you
follow the money rules above and don't get crazy).
When you reach that point, it's time for the next big obstacle.
Telling your family.
Dealing with your family
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