Some More for the Artist
Beta: I have some more for the artist.
Alpha: More baloney, I’m sure.
Kappa: We are listening, Beta.
Beta: Yeah, listen and judge for yourselves. First of all, that fat publisher will print on the cover that he paid for the work, that he didn’t get it for free like others.
Delta: I know! I know! Hurray! Beta, you are a genius! All artists of all ages from around the world should pool money together to raise a monument to you! I will personally donate a few bucks.
Alpha: Oh yes. I’ll put in a few more to have all of your names carved in the pedestal along with the inscription “This is for a few stupid kids who wanted artists to starve and art to die.”
Kappa: Delta, why don’t you step down from your desk? Alpha, you complain, but are the first to insult others.
Gamma: Delta, what did you want to say?
Delta: Don’t you get it? Any publisher can pay the artist to write it on the cover!
Gamma: Why should they? They have it for free!
Delta: They sure do. But then why does the first one pay? Whoever wants it for free, can use it for free. Whoever wants to develop a brand will pay! Get me? They pay for marketing anyway. Paying the author will be just one out of many marketing strategies. I would even say that any publisher would want to pay the author to have it on the cover that they paid. Only those who cannot afford it won’t pay the author. Get me?
Gamma: Are you saying that any publisher can reprint the same work and the author will get paid by each of them?
Delta: Yeah, and the work spreads like crazy. The author gets exposure at unimaginable heights!
Alpha: Yeah, unimaginable. That’s the word. Good fantasy.
Kappa: I like that magic.
