Tue, 2025-Feb-04 19:14 (GMT)
As a disabled, destitute senior novelist and screenwriter, who needs dough, is it possible to sell or option work here? If yes, how? "A Stroke of Luck," is a half-hour dramedy pilot about my true stroke journey. I also have many crime, thriller and comedy features, pilots, shorts, etc. Their log lines, synopsis, or entire scripts are all available on request. Best, Jed Power. jedpower@verizon.net
Well, your post has caught my eye and since I like all of us here have been seeking some sort of financial award for our work I thought I'd chime in. It simply isn't a case of "write it and they will come" (and buy, option, whatever). A world of writers has given buyers just too much choice, so we have to think of some sort of edge.
Not saying this is for you, but back in 2012 I began to publish all of my stuff to Amazon, as eBooks:
https://www.amazon.com/author/stevegarry
As a possible source of auxiliary income, at $2.99 each, I thought it was a no-brainer. Also, "publishing" also copyrights the work, though I've also registered the copyrights with the U.S. office. Lastly, I thought I'd feel a bit better about all of the changes producers/directors would make to my work, if I ever had anything produced, if I could point out interested parties to my original vision, or version, up on Amazon.com, to compare with the finished film.
All legit reasoning.
However, with no social media or marketing behind the eBooks, I've had few sales. I haven't cracked a thousand dollars in 12+ years.
Some may think that this isn't bad. It did take some work to format and figure the original few books, but once I got on a roll they're easy to update to Amazon. But, one does hear those "stories" about self-published types who make big, big bucks there.
So yesterday I researched a lot of YouTube videos on the topic. There are actually people publishing hard-cover books that are BLANK (okay, okay, they call them journals, or whatever) for $14.99 and are making thousands a month! Blank! Compared to our original fiction masterpieces?!
What it comes down to, if one is looking for progress on eBook sales, is: A great cover (mine were okay, but that was in 2012), 50 or more positive reviews (there are ways to "exchange reviews", but I find that fishy), and great targeting (such as key words for searches, etc.)
I mean, if one has the time, why not try? I still don't regret it, though I'm thinking that for my stuff to ever sell regularly, to bring in unpredictable and totally welcome extra income, there's really only one thing at this late date that's going to help:
...drum roll...
That's right: To sell or make one into a film, which may attract regular readers into seeking other titles I have on Amazon for sale.
In other words, you just can't escape the chicken or egg quandary.
Check the success stories out for examples of people who have optioned and sold stuff.