In which Seanan brings up an awkward topic.: seanan

In which Seanan brings up an awkward topic.

I hate making posts like this one, so I'm just going to go ahead and get to it. Here we go:

I am not a vending machine. You can't put a quarter in me to get free stuff exactly when you want it. You can't actually put a quarter in me at all. You can give me a quarter--I like quarters--but I am not a coin-operated story dispenser. I am a people.

I give away a lot of free fiction around here, both via my website (InCryptid shorts, Toby Daye shorts) and via this blog (Velveteen stories). In the case of the website shorts, they represent a lot more than just my writing time. I commission (and pay for) the story covers. In order to make the reading experience as easy and pleasant as possible, I have to ask my friend Will to convert the text files to ePub, MOBI, and PDF (which is, by the way, why I tend to shrug when people report typos; they're free, and the conversion is done on a volunteer basis, which means I am not going to ask him to completely reformat a file unless the error is so catastrophically large as to make the story unreadable). Once the stories are prepared, all the uploading and formatting on my website is done by hand, by me.

There is a lot of invisible back-end labor involved with bringing you a free treat. That's part of why I do the tip jars: they don't just justify my making time to write the stories, even if it means I might have to pass on an anthology. They pay for the covers, and for the administrative time I have to take away from writing in order to make sure everything is working correctly.

This is not me gearing up to asking for money, by the way: there was no tip jar in October, in part because one of the stories funded by the last tip jar has not been posted yet. Because even a "prioritized" story has to fit in around all my other publications and commitments, all the release dates I have to promote, all the conventions I have to attend. Because at the end of the day, while I want to tell you these stories as much as you want to hear them, I still have to be able to tell my publishers that they will come first. They pay my bills. They keep my main series going. They have to come before the freebies.

So why am I saying all this?

Because people keep emailing me going "hey when do we get the next free story." And this makes me feel terrible. It makes me feel like a party trick, like a vending machine, like I have no value apart from what I give away for free. I released a novel in November! I had several short stories come out, in several different genres! But when is the next free story. When is the next free story. Why don't we have it yet. Why aren't you doing it.

I understand eagerness. I genuinely do. I understand wanting to know what happens next now. I used to follow Kelley Armstrong's free fiction, back when she posted it regularly on her website; I get frustrated when my favorite fanfic writers don't publish chapters on schedule. But I am so outnumbered, and when all I hear is "why aren't you giving us more," it's really demoralizing. It kills my desire to give things away for free, and it makes it harder to keep working on those stories.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. But please, remember that I am a person, not a vending machine; I am not just here to give things away. And if I'm not posting something new, it's probably because I'm working my ass off at the things that keep the lights on, not because I'm lounging on a beach somewhere. Please have patience.

Thank you.

Thank you for everything you do

mirihawk

December 21 2015, 22:45:45 UTC 1 year ago

New comment

Hey, I am a dedicated fan and I just wanted to say, thanks for all that you do. Please take some time for yourself and replenish. If your cup is not full, you can't give to others.

I love all the InCryptid stuff the very best, but I recently discovered all your Mira Grant stuff and I also adore the Newsflesh stuff. And I'm devouring Indexing as it comes out. Your writing is wonderful!

So thanks again for everything that you do, and please be nice to yourself.

-Miriam

RE: Thank you for everything you do

seanan_mcguire

December 22 2015, 00:16:27 UTC 1 year ago

You are so very welcome.

hsb

December 21 2015, 22:53:25 UTC 1 year ago

I can't believe people say that stuff. I know I found you by free stories, so I totally agree that they are a part of many author's brands. But they are also something that tends to go away when paid work starts eating up all the available time. Why would anyone not expect that to happen? We see how much you travel.

Plus that paid work means there are stories available for anyone who wants it, under two names, no less. We can get our fix any time. Just hunt out one of the stories in an anthology.

H

December 22 2015, 00:16:44 UTC 1 year ago

People are weird.

fallconsmate

December 21 2015, 23:26:23 UTC 1 year ago

thank you for GIVING free stories. not every author will, and we know that.

*hugs and hugs*

December 22 2015, 00:16:54 UTC 1 year ago

*hugs*

elsewhereangel

December 22 2015, 00:08:36 UTC 1 year ago

I just wanted to apologize/clarify. I know I re-added you during Hogswatch. It honestly wasn't to get stuff. I dropped my FL down severely at one point due to some life stuff and you got caught in the cull. Then you popped up in the top LJs during Hogswatch and I was delighted and re-added you.

My apologies if this came off as greedy and vending machine-y. It really wasn't meant to be.

December 22 2015, 00:17:56 UTC 1 year ago

Oh, no! No, not at all, not even a little. People add and remove all the time, and honestly, unless you're someone I hang out with a lot in RL, I probably don't even notice.

This post was triggered by people actually emailing me directly to ask for free stories. Which was...meh.

1 year ago

angelamaria

December 22 2015, 00:52:54 UTC 1 year ago

I'm so sorry there are those asshats. Thank you so much for all that you do!

December 22 2015, 04:59:00 UTC 1 year ago

catlinye_maker

December 22 2015, 01:02:47 UTC 1 year ago

I'm so sorry that people are doing that to you, and I hope that the demanding will read this and change their behavior. Those stories are lovely lagniappe; I always celebrate when one comes out, an unexpected gift. I'm grateful that you're willing to keep doing them as you are able. Please accept my heartfelt good wishes and my hope that you'll have a splendid holiday.

December 22 2015, 04:59:14 UTC 1 year ago

Happy holidays!

Suspended comment

archangelbeth

December 22 2015, 04:31:45 UTC 1 year ago

When it's done, and she feels like uploading it, and not a moment before that.

tl;dr No! We are not there yet! Does the author have to turn this car around and go back home so NO ONE gets to go to Disneyland?

museclio

spectralbovine

December 22 2015, 05:06:38 UTC 1 year ago

Thank you for taking the time and effort to provide so much free fiction, especially in ebook for with pretty covers and everything. I'm always excited when a new one goes up. Luckily I have no idea when one is going to go up so I'm never expecting one. They're just lovely surprises!

December 26 2015, 16:56:55 UTC 1 year ago

Yay surprises!

bunny_m

December 22 2015, 06:40:07 UTC 1 year ago

Love, hugs and *SO* much appreciation for all the stories and assorted other awesome stuff you bring us.

As for those that would nag for more stuff? A pox on them.

You already go way above and beyond what could be reasonably expected, and some people think this isn't enough?

Well past time for some people to take a long hard look at themselves in a mirror.

December 26 2015, 16:57:08 UTC 1 year ago

Thank you.

Deleted comment

December 26 2015, 16:57:38 UTC 1 year ago

I am sometimes honestly aghast at the things people will say to me, to be honest.

melchar

December 22 2015, 07:58:55 UTC 1 year ago

First - happy solstice.

Second - love you - love you LOTS. With hugs and extra comfort. [Come hide in my local teensy 900-sq-ft-condo anytime; just be prepared to be given a blanket, something warm to drink and mostly left alone while I play computer games ^_^]

Third - I appreciate the freebies, but if they make you unhappy, or someone out in 'net-land makes you sad, I would rather you not hurt yourself in any way to give them. I can live with just getting your books/stories/songs like a normal person.

And fourth - still not a list, but this is where the extra hugs were hidden.

December 26 2015, 16:58:17 UTC 1 year ago

The trouble is, I need the freebies, because they're what builds the backstory. I don't mind writing them. I mind being treated like a vending machine.

naurwen

December 22 2015, 11:43:43 UTC 1 year ago

Ugh people
I don't follow any of your free stories (call it lack of time to catch up with anything these days, months, basically this year), BUT have enjoyed one or another free story from elsewhere before. They're awwwwww treats to me. And that's it. To nag for more and more and more isn't right. If one gets a freebie, one can be a happy person, but to expect even more and faster and whatnot... is disrespectful to the author's creativity, time, work, everything.

December 26 2015, 16:58:32 UTC 1 year ago

colliemommie

December 22 2015, 13:29:17 UTC 1 year ago

It's always hurtful to feel taken for granted. I'm sorry people are treating you that way. I know it's been said, but add me to the list of people who read and enjoy your work in whatever format and at whatever price point.

Have a very happy winter holiday. Is relaxing too much to ask? I hope it's a relaxing holiday as well.

December 26 2015, 16:58:46 UTC 1 year ago

I am doing my best!

December 26 2015, 16:58:56 UTC 1 year ago

livejournal

December 22 2015, 16:34:16 UTC 1 year ago

Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!
Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ.

thank you!

margaretv2

December 22 2015, 19:08:59 UTC 1 year ago

Thank you so much for all the stories you write! I am always awed by the schedule you keep up with and view all of the new free stories as extra-special, unexpected gifts! I'm so sad that some people feel entitled enough to bug you about them!

RE: thank you!

December 26 2015, 16:59:09 UTC 1 year ago

vettecat

December 22 2015, 19:16:31 UTC 1 year ago

So very sorry you're feeling this way. We enjoy and appreciate all the writing you choose to share, paid or unpaid.

And in case you haven't seen this yet: https://www.facebook.com/eudesjan/videos/954616604596849/

December 26 2015, 16:59:21 UTC 1 year ago

sometimeskate

December 22 2015, 21:08:45 UTC 1 year ago

Some people are simply ghastly. No other way to describe them, though boorish does leap to mind. You do not deserve to be criticized because you would like to have a few minutes to pet the cats and visit Disneyland in between giving us all a chance to peek into lives more interesting than our own. You let us visit friends we would never have known were it not for you, and I am forever grateful.

Honestly, my favourite tales are the short ones with Fran in them, and I still have a tiny hope you'll tell us more about her life with Jonathan, but if not, I will read about the rest of the family to whom I wish I'd been born. Whether it is a free story, or one we purchase, you are giving us gifts with your tales and also with your songs. (no matter how much I whinge about inflated ebook prices, I firmly believe that what authors receive is nowhere near the worth of the effort and talent and sheer work that goes into =good= writing. The sort you provide.)

I'm not trying to flatter you, or cajole you into a better mood. I truly am in awe of your talent, and love how you can show me a far more fascinating world than exists outside my window. So Thank you very much for what you give us. Do not let anyone ever tell you that it isn't enough, or let you feel as if you are providing in an inadequate manner.

P.S. Tell me who these twerps are, and I shall be more than happy to scold and upbraid them in my best Evil WASP Librarian manner.

December 26 2015, 16:59:52 UTC 1 year ago

Fran is over, I'm afraid; she's gone and done. But there will be more about the family as a whole.

liddle_oldman

December 23 2015, 00:20:28 UTC 1 year ago

I am sometimes amazed that you need to make this point.

You turn out excellent stories and books at an astonishing rate. You are startlingly generous with free fiction. I am sorry people try to shake you like a vending machine.

December 26 2015, 17:07:30 UTC 1 year ago

ancelinegrey

December 23 2015, 03:41:02 UTC 1 year ago

Your free things make me really happy, because hey, free, but never anywhere as close to as happy as your not-free stuff. So yay free stuff, but yes please pay your bills first because that stuff is more amazing. I have a very limited budget for things like books but I happily dedicate large portions if not all of it to your books.

December 26 2015, 17:07:44 UTC 1 year ago

You are best.

amanda_nye

December 23 2015, 07:08:23 UTC 1 year ago

you. are. awesome.

any treat is what it's meant to be -- special! gratitude is all we get to give you. and that we should give muchly!

no expectations, no pesterings. you share your gift (one of many) with us, and we get to be the lucky recipients.

December 26 2015, 17:07:56 UTC 1 year ago

For every jerk you have 10 that suporte you

Chom Mar

December 23 2015, 20:31:48 UTC 1 year ago

Normally don't post because i think it is brother to login , but in this case you deserve a exception. Well i agree with the other coments that you are in no way obliged to give free anything so you shouldn' t care about the entitled people so much. Beside they are complaning with a belly full of "candy" so just laught at their siliness it is more healty and know that for every jerk tou have at least 10 fans that understand and just apreciate what you can give.

RE: For every jerk you have 10 that suporte you

December 26 2015, 17:08:10 UTC 1 year ago

Thank you for logging in to be kind. :)

dornbeast

December 24 2015, 00:10:21 UTC 1 year ago

...if I'm not posting something new, it's probably...not because I'm lounging on a beach...

Well, that's no fun. I liked the idea that you could go lounge on the beach once in a while, probably after working your ass off at the things that keep the lights on.

(On the other hand, I have no idea if you consider lounging on a beach to be a good idea. Personally, I'm not fond of it.)