2 ms·

I'm sure you pay your friends every time they help you with anything at all since for anything in the world they could possibly do there's a person out there ma

by vasco 5y ago

I'm sure you pay your friends every time they help you with anything at all since for anything in the world they could possibly do there's a person out there making a living on that activity.

function_seven 5y ago
If my friends' labor was an essential input into my way of making a living, you're right that I would pay them for their part. I have a friend who paints houses for a living. If he ever asked me to help out on a job, for no pay, I'd say no. If I'm a professional mover, then no, I'd never dream of asking my friends for free help carting customers' boxes to the truck.
- toss1 5y ago
  Yup. Heck, even if I borrow a friends tool, I give it back in at least as good shape as I got it (e.g., clean and add more fuel), and along with a gift like a gift card for a dinner, etc.
- jstanley 5y ago
  On the other hand, self-publishing a single book is potentially quite far away from being a professional author.
  - function_seven 5y ago
    I’m guilty of replying here before reading the linked article. Yeah, if a friend was working on his first book, with no editorial or publisher support, I’d pitch in.
- StevePerkins 5y ago
  As a published technical author, if you believe that your self-published book will be "an essential input into [your] way of making a living", then I have some really sad news for you...
- mlyle 5y ago
  Many, many writers-- including those published by major publishers-- are supported by friends and family who provide beta-reading and coarse proofreading help. Buddies get the book free and before everyone else; they're not expected to fully, deeply edit the book, but just give feedback about the most glaring things. This can be a reasonable deal for all involved-- I'd gladly substitute in a book from a buddy for my nightly reading and highlight it and give him feedback. Of course, I also help my friends with minor professional questions gratis, too.

by vasco 5y ago

I'm sure you pay your friends every time they help you with anything at all since for anything in the world they could possibly do there's a person out there making a living on that activity.

function_seven 5y ago

If my friends' labor was an essential input into my way of making a living, you're right that I would pay them for their part. I have a friend who paints houses for a living. If he ever asked me to help out on a job, for no pay, I'd say no. If I'm a professional mover, then no, I'd never dream of asking my friends for free help carting customers' boxes to the truck.

toss1 5y ago
Yup. Heck, even if I borrow a friends tool, I give it back in at least as good shape as I got it (e.g., clean and add more fuel), and along with a gift like a gift card for a dinner, etc.
jstanley 5y ago
On the other hand, self-publishing a single book is potentially quite far away from being a professional author.
- function_seven 5y ago
  I’m guilty of replying here before reading the linked article. Yeah, if a friend was working on his first book, with no editorial or publisher support, I’d pitch in.
StevePerkins 5y ago
As a published technical author, if you believe that your self-published book will be "an essential input into [your] way of making a living", then I have some really sad news for you...
mlyle 5y ago
Many, many writers-- including those published by major publishers-- are supported by friends and family who provide beta-reading and coarse proofreading help. Buddies get the book free and before everyone else; they're not expected to fully, deeply edit the book, but just give feedback about the most glaring things. This can be a reasonable deal for all involved-- I'd gladly substitute in a book from a buddy for my nightly reading and highlight it and give him feedback. Of course, I also help my friends with minor professional questions gratis, too.