DUNE 7 BLOG

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Tip Jar Discussion

A few days ago, after receiving several requests from readers, we added a Tip Jar to this blog. We run the website, and I write the blog, purely on a voluntary basis and pay all the costs out of pocket; some people wanted to toss in a few coins to show their appreciation. I'm very grateful for those of you who have already contributed.

We also received one very thoughtful letter from a fan, which I wanted to share with you (with his permission). The same thoughts may have crossed the minds of other readers:

"I recently visited the Dune blog and saw the entry where you and Brian presented us with a tip jar to offset the costs of maintaining that webpage. I really admire your work. Even more so, I admire your incredible, incredible work ethic. You constantly inspire me to keep going with my own fiction works despite the odds. I have read several of your earlier works like the X-File books and the more recent works such as Hopscotch and Captain Nemo. While I haven't read all of the books in the new series you and Brian have written, I do intend to pick up the two volume Dune 7 later this year when you complete it.

"But here's the thing. I am puzzled by the need for a tip jar. Especially when you and the publisher seem to be doing so well with this franchise. I strongly feel that the work should speak for itself and that it should also pay for itself. If I like the book, I'll buy it. As will (hopefully for you, the author) hundreds of thousands of other readers who will then become fans and continue to buy future books.

"First of all, I know that there is the distinct possibility that the publisher may be refusing to pay for the blog. That would be very disappointing. If that's true, then indeed, you and Brian will be footing the bill.

"Still, I should think that keeping up maintenance on a webpage falls under the same list of everyday life needs such as food and rent. It certainly does for me. I have a journal online that asks for a yearly fee of 19 bucks. I certainly can't go to whoever reads my online journal to contribute to the 19 bucks for the next year so that I can continue entertaining them with my monthly updates. Besides, I can certainly find, (and indeed, I have to) 19 bucks within my only means of income (from my day job) so I can keep writing in my online journal.

"But to see a tip jar from a well established author such as yourself, or especially since it seems that the publisher has seen much success from a such a large franchise such as Dune -- which could have just as easily remained a 6 book series and one movie -- well then, that seems to be a sad state of affairs."

The letter raises some excellent points, which I'd like to address.

First, as he suspected, the publisher does NOT reimburse any of these expenses. It is solely our own cost. Running a website like dunenovels.com can indeed be seen as a normal cost of doing business, and if it were only $19 for the year, we would certainly brush it off. But our actual web expenses were $3000 - 4000 in 2005. Yes, Brian and I get paid for the DUNE books -- but we get paid the same amount, website or no website. I know some people have a strange Hollywood-inspired vision of fabulously rich authors with mansions on the Riviera; for me, however, an extra $3000 or more amounts to a considerable extra expense.

Although we strongly contemplated accepting advertising on the site to defray the cost, we felt that solution would be intrusive and would bother the fans. We considered a tip jar much more acceptable -- and completely voluntary, especially since several fans had already requested it.

Readers of the blog are already aware of my writing schedule and obligations. When I spend time writing the blog, that means I am not working on HUNTERS OF DUNE or any other contracted work, nor am I spending time with my family or friends. With the number of words I have put into the blog since October, I could easily have written several short stories and articles, for which I'd be paid. Instead, I do these regular postings to keep the fans up to date. I don't begrudge it -- this was my own idea, after all, and I'll still consider the effort worthwhile to do so, whether or not I'm reimbursed. I think it's important to keep in touch with the legions of readers who have indeed kept DUNE alive for more than 40 years.

Some might view the website as one big advertisement for DUNE, so why should anybody have to pay us? I really hope that the material in the blog is seen as a lot more than advertising. I intend it to be entertaining and informative, describing the creative and production process of a major novel, as well as offering additional insights into the business and daily life of a published author, which may be informative to aspiring writers. I'm offering early views of the art and text, and will be uploading some of the chapters as a sneak preview. Also, I believe that most people following the DUNE blog will be fans already, presumably intending to read the books, whether or not I post regular entries. I could be wrong, but I think they've already decided to like DUNE.

All that said, I certainly agree that it does seem like everybody's got their hand out for a tip these days. Baristas, fast-food workers, delivery truck drivers, even the bus driver at the car-rental place. I don't want anybody to feel obligated or pressured, and I'm trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

In the next week or so, we hope to add a second option by offering the choice to donate instead to a DUNE-relevant non-profit organization, such as the National Parks Conservation Association or the Sierra Club. That way, if you feel inspired to do something but don't want to send directly to me, you'll have an alternative.

Most important to me is that you read the DUNE books -- Brian's and mine if you so choose, or just Frank Herbert's originals if you prefer. Your interest in, and devotion to, this great universe is the best "tip" anyone could receive.

--KJA