Tips Jars and “Conscience Money”
In talking about self-publishing and ways to monetize online short fiction, several people mentioned an online Tip Jar, a way for readers and fans to contribute a few bucks and support me as a writer.
It’s a nice thought, and I truly appreciate it. But it’s not something I’m going to do. My reasoning comes down to two things.
1. I don’t need the money. I want to get paid for my fiction, sure. (The blogging I do for free, for the community and the secondary promotional benefits.) But giving me a little extra money, just because you like me/my work? Thank you … but for the moment, my family and I are doing okay, and there are many other causes out there that need the money more than we do.
2. Another reason people sometimes talk about tip jars is because they’ve downloaded something without paying for it, and want to give back to the author. Again, a good and much appreciated thought … but not one I’m comfortable with. I tend to agree with Charlie Stross on “conscience money.”
In short, paying me for something you downloaded off a torrent site or whatever is nice, but giving me a few bucks doesn’t pay the editor, typesetter, artist, copyeditor, sales force, or any of the other folks who worked to create the book.
If you really want to “tip” me, buy one of my books.[1. Author tipping. A new sport, coming to a convention bar near you.] If you want to tip me more, buy another copy and give it to a friend. (Word of mouth is one of the best things you can do for an author!)
That leads to a new issue, though — sometimes people download illegal copies because it’s difficult/expensive/impossible to get a legal copy of a book. In which case, me asking you to buy another of my books misses the whole point.
I have no perfect answer. I would love for my books to be available in every country and language and format. (My agent is working on this.) Electronic format should increase availability, and does to some extent, but there are frustrating regional limits.
I still don’t want your money. I’m glad you want to read my work, and I’m truly sorry it might not be available. But I don’t believe that justifies illegal downloads.
Wanting something doesn’t entitle you to just take it.
I’m not trying to preach, and I’m not 100% innocent either.[2. I was around when Napster came out…] But if you really want to support me as an author, and my books aren’t available in your country?
- E-mail publishers. Tell them you really want to buy so-and-so’s work. If publishers know there’s a demand, they might take the first step of contacting me and my agent to make it available.
- Double-check for legitimate possibilities. I’ve been told my books are unavailable in Australia, for example. But I also know some stores in Australia do stock my stuff. It might be a special-order, or your bookstore might be able to get one shipped from a sister store. Maybe not, but give ’em a call and check what they can do.
- Check with local libraries, if you have them. They might be able to order overseas titles.
- ETA: tsubaki_ny suggested The Book Depository, “an international bookseller shipping our books free of charge, worldwide, to nearly 90 countries.”
I know that doesn’t solve everything. But regarding a Tip Jar, in addition to not needing the money right now, accepting tips as informal repayment for illegal downloads just isn’t something I’m okay with.
Discussion and disagreement welcome, as always.
—
MichaelM
September 14, 2010 @ 11:28 am
A very sensible post, Jim. I agree with your points about piracy, and quite strongly. If it’s not available, or if you can’t afford (or are unwilling to pay it) a higher price to import a book, then you just have to go without or keep trying to find a copy of it. One thing I think people forget is that you’re not entitled to a product and that whilst one or two “thefts” won’t make much of a difference, if you steal a book you’re not encouraging a publisher to sell in your location.
As for point 4, i.e. The Book Depository – It’s a great place to check if you can’t find a local copy. I’ve ordered one of your books from there, and I also managed to get a US import of another book before the UK release occurred, and for the same price, too! The prices can be a little steep at times, but at others they’re quite reasonable.
If you have to “tip” an author, offer to buy them a beer (or a coffee), buy their books and spread the word. Most authors write out of a love for their characters and worlds, not for money.
Jim C. Hines
September 14, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
Thanks, Michael. I think the fact that it’s so easy to acquire certain products tends to encourage the entitlement aspect. And it’s true, one or two illegal downloads isn’t going to hurt any more than swiping one or two candy bars from the local convenience store. But that doesn’t change the fact that 1) it’s still illegal/unethical and 2) it could potentially add up. (Re: #2, the debate over whether and how much piracy *actually* hurts authors/publishers is a fascinating and messy one…)
“Most authors write out of a love for their characters and worlds, not for money.”
I won’t speak for most authors, but for me it’s both. I love these characters, and I love the stories … but I also love that I was able to replace the roof on our house and help cover my wife’s tuition for grad school last year, thanks in no small part to my writing.
And I know few authors who would turn down a “tip” of a drink at the bar at a convention 🙂
MichaelM
September 14, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
I didn’t mean to imply authors don’t write for money (or don’t appreciate the extra funds), what I meant was for most authors it’s not the primary driving force. I should have been a bit clearer on that front 😉
I think used books are quite a strange situation. You’re getting the book legally, but you’re not supporting the author directly unless you buy the other books separately. I’ll admit I’ve bought a fair share of used (or second hand) books and not felt any worse off for doing so (In fact, I’m actually quite pleased to not support OS Card). It’s looking like the much cheaper option for Goblin Quest (~£3.50 to the new price of ~£7-8, even on TBD), as an example, but when you read blogs like this, it makes you think twice about it.
Jim C. Hines
September 14, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Well, in a perfect world, everyone would buy my books new, and I would then be rich enough to buy Hawaii 🙂
I have no problem at all with people buying my books used. I do it myself on occasions. Not with my books, but with other people’s, I mean. That book has already been purchased new, and the author got his/her royalty for the sale. Everything seems fair to me.
That just falls apart a bit with e-books, where a single purchase can be shared an infinite number of times, and the original owner can still (theoretically) retain the book.
MichaelM
September 14, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
Thanks for your blessing in that regard, then. I ultimately wanted to purchase it new, as I often do with most books, but it’s quite hard to get hold of for a reasonable price (which is no fault of your own). Luckily Hero and War are well priced 😉
eBooks fall into another discussion, I feel, because that almost instantly brings up the DRM debate and whether it’s right/wrong, and where you stand with them. Hopefully books’ll be the last thing to go fully digital. I love looking at an overflowing bookshelf!
MichaelM
September 14, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
Whoops, made a mistake. Goblin Quest is actually cheaper new :p
Anita K.
September 14, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
Since right now my partner and I have neither the space nor the money to buy more books, we’ve been getting your books through the library (and their InterLibrary Loan program since someone seems to have decided that the library copies of some of the Goblin books should be theirs forever…). So there is a part of me that would love the option to “tip” you. But I really liked your post and think it would probably make more sense to buy new copies of your books *for the library* when we have the funds; good for you and for the library that way! 😀
Jim C. Hines
September 14, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
I certainly wouldn’t object 🙂 You should probably double-check the library’s policy on donations, though. Just to be safe.
D. Moonfire
September 14, 2010 @ 3:28 pm
While I love an overflowing set of library shelves, moving those library shelves can be a serious pain in the lower back and thighs. When I moved last year, I had 31 16″ cube boxes of paperback and hardcovers. Fully packed, each one weighs around 35 kg (according to when my wife called me up to yell at me because she weighed one). When we got to the new place, I was summarily told that I had to move them into the basement by myself.
Fun.
I only recently got a Sony PRS-600 and fell in love with it. It is so easy to have 30 books on it and it doesn’t require hours of moving. And I can throw it on my home server and put them on my computer, the PRS-600 or even my Nokia n810 (the first and last can’t handle DRM books at all). Of course, getting those 31 boxes worth of books onto the reader is pretty much a near impossibility. I looked into a few of the key books, but seeing $20 or $30 dollar prices to get an ebook version of an out-of-print book was heart-breaking; and these are for books I already have 2-3 copies. And other books aren’t in print anymore and while they are still adored by me, I can’t find an ebook version anywhere.
It is frustrating when I have to buy yet another copy of something I like. Yes, that is how the commercial forces work, but it still is frustrating. Like the quote in Men in Blank, “… I’ll have to buy the White album again.”
I haven’t figure out how I can get ebook versions of everything I’ve bought over the years. It really isn’t an option to re-buy everything, I simply don’t make enough money for that. But, I’d also like to be able to give the publishers (and trickle down to the authors) something for effectively a “format shift”.
Oh well, I haven’t really figured out *how* I could do it.
But, I still love having walls covered with shelves. There is something about it that just reminds me of growing up.
Amy Cairns
September 14, 2010 @ 8:39 pm
Another option to accomodate folks who would like to show appreciation for the author through monetary means other than buying a book (for whatever reason) would be to set up a tip jar or donation button for a Good Work that you support.
Jim C. Hines
September 15, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Ooh, that’s an interesting idea … thanks!
Jim C. Hines
September 15, 2010 @ 8:33 am
I love the look/feel of well-stocked bookshelves too, but I can definitely see where that would become a hassle if you’re moving a lot. In part, I can see it being a lifestyle thing. For me, living in a house I’m not planning to leave for at least another 10-15 years, I can stack my shelves 2-3 books deep and not have to worry about how many backs will be broken when it comes time to move. But that’s me.
I’m torn about books you already own, and the MiB White Album phenomenon. It bugs me a bit having to replace old VHS tapes with DVD, and knowing DVD will eventually die out as well. Does buying a movie or book once entitle me to the new format? I don’t think so … but I also don’t like having to rebuy it.
In a perfect world (don’t ask me how), maybe it would work so that if you’ve bought it once, you can get the new format at a discount. Half off for an e-book if you already own the print? I don’t know…
D. Moonfire
September 15, 2010 @ 8:53 am
I didn’t plan on leaving the last house for 10-15 years and bought books accordingly. But, this whole Salmon Plan of ours got into high gear and we moved states right as various levels of idiots decided to destroy the housing market. So, I’m sitting in a rental in one state, trying to sell a house in another. But, the books will move to me.
Though, I never liked the 2-3 deep. I have them 3 deep and 2 high until I can build more bookcases here; I just can’t build them in like the last house. The ones I’m building are going to be 1 deep, because that is what I grew up with and I love being able to find any book easily instead of digging out to find a book I think I remember where I put it. 🙂
Yeah, when DVDs die, I’m in trouble for some of mine. For most of them, I just rip them on a home computer (for personal use only and never to share) because I have a 4 week old boy who will become a very destructive force and I would rather not buy yet another copy of Cars or Shrek or While You Were Sleeping.
It would be a cool perfect world if you can get additional formats. I know it can’t really be done now, but it would be great in the future if it could be.
Jim C. Hines
September 15, 2010 @ 8:58 am
Yeah, the double- and triple-stacking isn’t so much a preference as it is a result of having too many books and too few shelves 😛
Steven Saus
September 15, 2010 @ 9:11 am
I kind of think you’re conflating tip jars in general with “conscience jars”. While it makes sense to not use a tip jar (or conscience jar) where you’re at in your career (for more reasons than the ones you mentioned), I think tip jars do have a place.
For example, the work you did with the First Novel Survey. While I think you turned that into a paid article, that’s the exception, not the rule, right? For informative posts like that, I think tip jars would make a lot more sense.
Tip jars for the LEGO posts? Er… yeah. Not so much. Like ’em, yeah, but…
Hm. I sense a blog post of my own coming up. ‘scuse me…
Jim C. Hines
September 15, 2010 @ 9:18 am
Well, I said another reason people ask for/use tip jars is the conscience function, not that this was the only reason.
I did the First Novel Survey because I wanted the information, and to share it. It wasn’t, and still isn’t, about getting paid. (Secondary to getting and sharing the data, it also “paid” me in increased blog/web traffic.)
I’m not saying other people shouldn’t use the tip jar idea. But I’m not interested in doing the same. If I want to get paid for my writing, fiction or nonfiction, I know how to go about doing that.
MichaelM
September 15, 2010 @ 9:52 am
I think you need a trip to Ikea then, Jim 😉
Steven Saus
September 15, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
I’m not arguing so much as testing my ideas – if that makes any sense. And partially I don’t understand, which annoys me to no end.
First off – good to know re: conscience jar bit. My misreading there. FWIW, I agree completely on that point.
Second, I have a sensibility of “If someone wants to throw money at me, I’m not going to stop them.” If, after they throw money at me, I felt it was a good idea to donate some/all of that money, then I’d do it myself. (This is similar to the principle my parents & I have gone under when it comes to “gas money” for visiting – I’ll never turn it down if they want to give me money, but I don’t pester them for it unless I need it.)
If you’ve actively got people wanting to give you money, there’s no guarantee (or even likelihood) that they’ll then use that money on something more worthwhile. Why not let them give it to you?
And you’re right. I don’t think your blogging – even the informative posts – should be solely about being paid. Otherwise you’d just be writing nonfiction for magazines, right?
But why shouldn’t your work be rewarded in as many ways as possible? For example, if you’d simply sold the FNS to a magazine, far fewer people would have access to it. Disproportionately, those without means would be denied access. I’m not dismissing other forms of payment (traffic, reputation, etc) and the positive externalities, but for those of us who do have disposable income to throw about, why not let us spend it on you?
(I’ve already given all your books to people and talked you up everywhere, so your Goblin Mind Tricks won’t work on me! Bo shooda!)
Clifton Hill
September 15, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
I understand the logic, and think you are honorable in your intentions, but why not have a tip jar that someone can contribute to if they like reading freely (legitimate) available work (or your blog). It is reimbursing you for value that they have found when, for whatever reason, they are not going to purchase a book of yours at the moment. If however you would still abstain for reasons of letting that money go to a more worthy cause, why not include a link to said worthy cause, or a tip jar that is then turned over to that cause at a later date.
Athansor
September 15, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
It seems there should be some way to address the multiple format issue, but I don’t know what it might be. I say this a person who has owned everything released by Springsteen at the given time in 8-track, album, 45s (needed the B sides), cassette, CD, and now iTunes.
Jim C. Hines
September 16, 2010 @ 8:13 am
Athansor – If you figure it out, I believe you’ll be in a position to make a great deal of money 😉
Dave Robinson
September 20, 2010 @ 10:54 am
I also think there’s a potential contract/legal issue. (I’m not a lawyer and I know Charlie Stross has brought it up elsewhere but I don’t think it’s been specifically mentioned here yet.)
Namely that if the writer is accepting “conscience money” it can be argued that they’re in breach of their contract with the publisher – and breach of contract can get them sued.
Jim C. Hines
September 20, 2010 @ 11:05 am
Interesting point! I have no idea how the legalities would play out, and I suspect it would require very close readings of my contracts. For example, how would a publisher know a given payment was for a book published through them, as opposed to for general enjoyment or for one of the free stories I’ve posted? But definitely worth keeping in mind. Thanks!