on writing: a brief word on options

[lagilman]

Over in another forum, someone's asked for help. A production company wants to option one of his short stories for a film idea they're chasing (they're looking at a number of stories from a theme anthology, probably just covering their backsides). The thing is, what they're offering? A credit in the eventual film they might make. In exchange for tying the rights to his story up for a year.

I'm going to say here what I said to that writer: don't give your options away for free. Do not allow anyone to tie up rights to your work without compensating you. We're not talking a lot of money here -- a token payment is probably the best you can expect for a short story option. But that token payment might cover your grocery bill. Or your monthly utilities. Or, hey, if you fall into the right pot of honey, a mortgage payment.

Considering the odds of your story actually ever getting used are, well, wee, you need to get the money where you can. And make sure that you sort out the terms of the option, including renewal, in writing!

Okay, that's my rant. bgliterary? arcaedia? Want to weigh in on this, from your experiences?

Comments

Not just no, but hell, no.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Ask the writer if he'd accept the same deal on the short story. No pay, not even copies of the book, but his name on the book should it ever be published, which is not guaranteed.

I think not.