Goy’s Law: Money flows towards the author if and only if the author is commercially published. If the author is not commercially published, money may flow towards the author if and only if the author produces a salable book.
“Sadly, the fact is that even if you sell thousands of copies of a poorly produced book, you’re unlikely ever to make another sale to those same readers — thus undermining your long-term career potential as a writer.”
- Edward Nawotka
Goy’s Law (Yes, that is Yog backwards . . . emphasis on backwards) clarifies the misconception and fallacy that money always flows to the author. Arguably, moneyshould flow to the author. However, the fact is that it doesn’t always flow to the author. There are in fact variables that apply to Yog’s Law that have resulted in an atrocious misconception to new authors. Moreover, Yog’s Law, and it’s author, have created the false assurance in authors that devotion to its concept is some form of an entitlement program. It’s not. It is this false belief in Yog’s Law that has spawned the despicable cult-like following that has resulted in many of the negative postings regarding alternative and/or non-traditional publishing. This is where the devotees of Yog’s Law, many of whom have produced unsaleable works, typically make claims that they have been “ripped-off,” “screwed,” or that their publishers have “deceived” them. In addition, these particular Kool-Aid drinking authors have done little or nothing to promote their own works . . . believing solely on the professed entitlement concepts of Yog’s Law. Upon realizing their disillusionment, they are actively recruited and become the Flying Monkeys of the author of Yog’s Law and his contemporaries. This is the fuel that the self-serving author of Yog’s Law, and his contemporaries, feed upon. The author of Yog’s Law fails to educate authors on the fact that money doesn’t always flow to them. Yet, he continues to propagate this fallacious impression because of numerous personal agendas including voracious self-promotion activities and retribution strategies against non-traditional resources.
In today’s day and age this so-called Yog’ Law holds true if, and only if, an author is traditionally published. Once an author reaches a predetermined limit of rejection letters from traditional publishers, following the submission of their manuscript, a value determination needs to be made. Should the manuscript be re-written? Or, if the author still believes in the manuscript and its marketability, they may decide to turn to non-traditional publishing sources. This is the cross-road where “Yog’s Law” terminates; at least temporarily.
The difference here is very similar to a sports analogy. The author (YOU!) tried out for the major league and was cut (rejected). Rejected . . . file that concept away. That was your Dr. Phil moment . . . get real about it. Once the decision is made to go to non-traditional sources (check your ego) you’re a minor league player and you’re in a “pay-to-play” environment. Inherent in this personal choice are risks, investments of financial resources and investments of personal resources . . . mostly time. It is the attention to detail on these investments that result in the success or failure of an author’s book. Most importantly, it is the key difference between the traditional and non-traditional published author. The author’s responsibilities weigh heavily on actively securing a return on their investment, goals and objectives. Then, and only then, will money “flow toward the author.” This route is certainly not a bar, assuming that an author has produced a well-written, saleable and marketable book, for later success as an author in the traditional market. Many authors have successfully made the leap from the minor league to the major league having first gone the non-traditional route. Under this scenario, “Yog’s law” may have some validity.
Regardless of which avenues you choose, even if you self-publish utilizing free alternatives, if your book isn’t saleable there isn’t any money that will flow to you. If you choose to use other non-traditional resources, don’t blame the publisher that produced your book. Take responsibility for the fact that you moved forward, on your own choice, to publish the book that you wrote. If your book isn’t saleable that’s your fault not the alternative publishing resource that you chose to utilize. There is no salvation in Yog’s Law that will redeem your own personal choices. Buying into it is a backwards proposition.
Money should flow to the author but the fact is that it doesn’t always. That is the fallacy ofYog’s Law. Don’t be fooled, Yog’s Law isn’t an entitlement program and it only serves to attempt to promulgate the attempted legitimacy of its self-serving author. Therefore:
“Money flows towards the author if and only if the author is commercially published. If the author is not commercially published, money may flow towards the author if and only if the author produces a saleable book.”
References
Nawotka, Edward. “Should the DIY Movement Learn Traditional Publishing Techniques? | Publishing Perspectives.” Publishing Perspectives – International Publishing News & Opinion. Web. 26 May 2011. <http://publishingperspectives.com/2011/05/diy-learn-traditional-publishing-techniques/>.
