Comments on: Why we paid this first-time author a six-figure advance for “Free Range Kids” http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:17:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: tom verkozen http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-1003 tom verkozen Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:51:36 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-1003 After your two packed hours of abundantly clear information at Book Passage, followed by reading about Molly Glick, we still like you, Simon Cowell. Like you, yes. Fear you, not. Yet, Praise the Lord I showed up at your class to learn and left the 'query in progress' at home. Be aware, we're headed your way. After your two packed hours of abundantly clear information at Book Passage, followed by reading about Molly Glick, we still like you, Simon Cowell. Like you, yes. Fear you, not. Yet, Praise the Lord I showed up at your class to learn and left the ‘query in progress’ at home. Be aware, we’re headed your way.

]]> By: Leslie http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-908 Leslie Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:56:43 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-908 Did Dr. Phil write the Foreword? Did Dr. Phil write the Foreword?

]]> By: Georgia McBride http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-829 Georgia McBride Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:43:05 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-829 Thanks for posting this! As a writer who has just completed her first manuscript and is actively seeking an agent, I found it quite informative. More importantly however, as someone who screamed to the high Heavens when my sister in law put my then ten year old niece on the NYC subway to go to school in Manhattan from Flushing (followed by her brother and sister at the same age years later); I am glad to see that she was not as crazy as I made her out to be all those years. I agree that every parent does in fact know their children's limitations and abilities on the one hand now being a parent myself that is quite clear. But I also know that adults seeking to do them harm can be much more cunning and crafty against even the brightest and aware children. In reading your post however, as a parent and a writer I've learned two things, the first is that my sister in law is not alone in her insanity and that the non-fiction piece about the over scheduling of the American child I had set aside may have legs after all. Cheers- Georgia Thanks for posting this! As a writer who has just completed her first manuscript and is actively seeking an agent, I found it quite informative. More importantly however, as someone who screamed to the high Heavens when my sister in law put my then ten year old niece on the NYC subway to go to school in Manhattan from Flushing (followed by her brother and sister at the same age years later); I am glad to see that she was not as crazy as I made her out to be all those years.

I agree that every parent does in fact know their children’s limitations and abilities on the one hand now being a parent myself that is quite clear. But I also know that adults seeking to do them harm can be much more cunning and crafty against even the brightest and aware children.

In reading your post however, as a parent and a writer I’ve learned two things, the first is that my sister in law is not alone in her insanity and that the non-fiction piece about the over scheduling of the American child I had set aside may have legs after all.

Cheers-
Georgia

]]> By: Tara Lazar http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-781 Tara Lazar Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:16:55 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-781 I am looking forward to this book's release. It's amazing how much has changed in America in just one generation. My mother-in-law would leave my husband in his baby carriage outside a Bronx grocery store while she shopped. It was a common practice in the early 1960's. My father rode the city bus to his private Catholic school every day from the age of 6. He rode his bike over the Bayonne Bridge into Staten Island in the summer to go to the pool. Growing up in suburban NJ in the 1970's, I would leave the house in the morning and not return until dinner. No cell phone, no GPS system tracking my every move. I am sad for the lack of freedom today's children have--they are over-protected, over-scheduled and over-burdened. I am eager to read "Free Range Kids"! I am looking forward to this book’s release.

It’s amazing how much has changed in America in just one generation. My mother-in-law would leave my husband in his baby carriage outside a Bronx grocery store while she shopped. It was a common practice in the early 1960’s. My father rode the city bus to his private Catholic school every day from the age of 6. He rode his bike over the Bayonne Bridge into Staten Island in the summer to go to the pool. Growing up in suburban NJ in the 1970’s, I would leave the house in the morning and not return until dinner. No cell phone, no GPS system tracking my every move.

I am sad for the lack of freedom today’s children have–they are over-protected, over-scheduled and over-burdened. I am eager to read “Free Range Kids”!

]]> By: Queen of the Road http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-745 Queen of the Road Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:59:43 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-745 I'm a shrink, a former New Yorker, an author of a humorous travel memoir, Mollie Glick is my agent and I can't wait to read this book! I’m a shrink, a former New Yorker, an author of a humorous travel memoir, Mollie Glick is my agent and I can’t wait to read this book!

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-743 Alan Rinzler Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:51:29 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-743 Dear JoBeth Lenore is well on her way to making that 90-day deadline, never fear. Such a pro, and great to work with. I'll pass along your comment in case she didn't see it here. Alan Dear JoBeth

Lenore is well on her way to making that 90-day deadline, never fear. Such a pro, and great to work with. I’ll pass along your comment in case she didn’t see it here.

Alan

]]> By: JoBeth http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-741 JoBeth Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:55:32 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-741 Many years ago, I wrote for Advertising Age when Lenore was a columnist there -- and she was always the strongest, funniest voice in that magazine. I completely agree with her; I myself was raised by parents who allowed me to ride my bike to school in third grade, on what would now seem dangerous roads. But they never were. I also have a friend with Down syndrome who takes buses through New York by himself, which isn't that unusual, I guess, but I think it is within the same vein. Lenore knows her child and his abilities better than anyone else -- and truth be told, he and my friend with Down syndrome are both likely more street savvy -- and ultimately safer! -- than an adult from the sticks visiting New York. Bravo for getting a great advance! And wow, 90 days -- only a journalist could meet that deadline, I think. Many years ago, I wrote for Advertising Age when Lenore was a columnist there — and she was always the strongest, funniest voice in that magazine.
I completely agree with her; I myself was raised by parents who allowed me to ride my bike to school in third grade, on what would now seem dangerous roads. But they never were.
I also have a friend with Down syndrome who takes buses through New York by himself, which isn’t that unusual, I guess, but I think it is within the same vein. Lenore knows her child and his abilities better than anyone else — and truth be told, he and my friend with Down syndrome are both likely more street savvy — and ultimately safer! — than an adult from the sticks visiting New York.
Bravo for getting a great advance! And wow, 90 days — only a journalist could meet that deadline, I think.

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-705 Alan Rinzler Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:24:07 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-705 Fred No reason why indie authors can't be commercial, taking advantage of the marketing and sales opportunities and other options available, as enumerated and encouraged on this blog. Search it for advice on self-marketing and publicity. Onward. Alan Fred

No reason why indie authors can’t be commercial, taking advantage of the marketing and sales opportunities and other options available, as enumerated and encouraged on this blog. Search it for advice on self-marketing and publicity. Onward. Alan

]]> By: Wred Fright http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-641 Wred Fright Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:03:07 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-641 Congratulations Lenore! Alan, this blog is pretty interesting, and I'm one of those authors who prefers to stay indie and self-published (I'm a control freak artistically) so for the most part I won't ever be using any of this good advice for more commercially-oriented authors. Still, I find the whole publishing industry interesting. It just amazes me that more authors don't take advantage of self-publishing through the new technology such as blogs (for example, my new novel is being serialized at http://wredfright.blogspot.com), and still keep trying these traditional avenues through agents and corporate publishers like it's still 1975. But that's probably because the big publishers find it hard enough to make money themselves even with all their expertise and organization, much less an author making money on her or his own--ha! Cheers! Congratulations Lenore! Alan, this blog is pretty interesting, and I’m one of those authors who prefers to stay indie and self-published (I’m a control freak artistically) so for the most part I won’t ever be using any of this good advice for more commercially-oriented authors. Still, I find the whole publishing industry interesting. It just amazes me that more authors don’t take advantage of self-publishing through the new technology such as blogs (for example, my new novel is being serialized at http://wredfright.blogspot.com), and still keep trying these traditional avenues through agents and corporate publishers like it’s still 1975. But that’s probably because the big publishers find it hard enough to make money themselves even with all their expertise and organization, much less an author making money on her or his own–ha!
Cheers!

]]> By: Lenore Skenazy http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-622 Lenore Skenazy Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:25:16 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/27/why-we-paid-this-first-time-author-a-six-figure-advance-for-free-range-kids/#comment-622 It's all true!! (Pretty much.) And my son, now 10, is off on the subway even as I write this, while his older brother is on a bus. But since, in researching my book, I learned that chidren as young as six were farmed out to work as live-in servants in Colonial America, taking public transportation to Hebrew School just doesn't seem like that big a deal. It’s all true!! (Pretty much.) And my son, now 10, is off on the subway even as I write this, while his older brother is on a bus. But since, in researching my book, I learned that chidren as young as six were farmed out to work as live-in servants in Colonial America, taking public transportation to Hebrew School just doesn’t seem like that big a deal.

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