Barb - that's the way I took it. That the money being given to what is essentially an overnight celebrity type book is money not available to one of the 1000s of people who have been actually writing for years and haven't had that break yet.

But that's not actually true. The money laid out in an advance is carefully P&L'd to death based on how many copies they think they can sell. Which is why celebs get more money, because most of the time more people will buy those books than a first novel by an unknown entity. And it's also why first novels by an unknown entity need a lot of hand-selling and dedicated PR by the publisher to hit a list or even make decent money for anyone, author or publisher.

There's not a finite amount of money to be paid out. Well, there is, but it's based on what they're going to get back, so. It's gambling, essentially.

I have heard also that the political books often get bought up in bulk by various politically driven think tanks to drive them up the best seller lists. That it's a form of sanctioned, legal patronage.

Which is why celebs get more money, because most of the time more people will buy those books than a first novel by an unknown entity. And it's also why first novels by an unknown entity need a lot of hand-selling and dedicated PR by the publisher to hit a list or even make decent money for anyone, author or publisher.

Yep. My rational brain knows this and even understands the financial theory.

The toddler brain, however, wants to stomp its feet and throw a tantrum.

I am pretty sure we lose them if we don't use them up

Oh crap -- I wonder if we have that.

There's also the fact that B&N and Borders et al, actually SELL placement up in the front on the tables where you come in and see the books in the first place. Since, casual readers are more likely to pause and browse, so the books that got promotion that way sell more....

It's not payola, but it's sure market-warping.

Oh crap -- I wonder if we have that.

I think that's usually true for personal days.

My company actually also has that policy for the measly amount of vacation they give us. Luckily, California law says otherwise.

Well, there's a chance they are based on our fiscal year, which doesn't end until March. I think I've only used one personal day this year (big mistake -- should have used them first!), but can't be sure, since there's no way to get an updated leave balance around here. Whatever, it's not like I don't have weeks of unused vacation days sitting around, but it's the principle of the thing!

Bizarrely, no one officially keeps track of our days off. I do, but I'm sure I could totally take extra days and no one would be the wiser.

I think that's usually true for personal days.

Mine are like that, but this is the first time in my career that they didn't roll over so I don't know I'd say it's usual. Definitely something to check in to and be sure about though.