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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 house
by 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 agoYup. 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 agoOn the other hand, self-publishing a single book is potentially quite far away from being a professional author.
- function_seven 5y agoI’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 agoAs 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 agoMany, 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.