How much is a manuscript worth? Back to Blog

I finished my copy-edits for HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT (woo-hoo!) and happily took my package to the local Fed-Ex today. The place was deserted and the clerk was nice and chatty (I love that). My manuscript weighed in at 4.75 pounds–not too shabby.

All was going well until the clerk asked me if I wanted to insure the package. Now, I’ve already mentioned that the place was deserted, so, since no impatient folks were tapping their feet behind me, I decided to find out just how this whole “shipping insurance” thing works.

Keep in mind…this is the copy-edited version of my manuscript. A copy-editor has already spent hours pouring over it and making marks in red pencil. I’ve spent hours reviewing said marks.

Back to my story…So anyway, I asked the clerk just how much the manuscript would be worth, if it happened to become lost. He leaned over the counter (not that anyone else was gonna overhear) and told me, “They’ll pay you for the paper.”

Uh, the paper? Not for my hours of lost labor? Not for the copy-editor’s lost labor? Just the pages? What is that–like five bucks? Jeez.

So, now I’m desperately hoping that I never lose a manuscript–because those pages are so worth more than five dollars to me.

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4 responses to “How much is a manuscript worth?”

  1. Congrats on getting your copy-edits done! Sigh – creative work is never paid what it’s worth.

    Love doing edits for my e-books. No trips to the post office 🙂

  2. Edie says:

    Congratulatons on finishing. This must feel so good! One more step to holding it in your hands. 🙂

  3. Michelle says:

    LOL, Cynthia. You are so right 5 bucks wouldn’t do it.

  4. Cynthia Eden says:

    Hi, ladies! Natasha–I do love doing things over the Internet–I think it makes life so much easier.

    Oh, Edie–I can’t wait to hold this novel!

    No, Michell–5 would not be enough. I think my jaw dropped when the guy told me I’d be reimbursed for paper. Jeez.