The question of “selling out” can get convoluted.
There is an impression that someone who writes for money – or does anything else for money – is a sellout.
This notion, unfortunately, has created the idea of the starving artist. There is this concept of nobility that comes of art for art’s sake without remuneration.
Let me just put this out here: That’s a crock of shit.
The “nobility” many believe comes of keeping their art pure and unsullied by the almighty dollar is not the truth. At least, not when you strive to make your living as an artist.
This causes so very many problems. For example, crafters who put hours and hours into their work – and only feel they can value it based on materials costs. Thus, you spend $20 on the yarn you buy, but spend 100 hours creating an incredible, knitted blanket – and feel guilty charging more than $100.
Based solely on the time you put into your work – are you only worth $1 per hour? Of course not. But on the other side of the coin, if you charge a mere $10 an hour for 100 hours of work – who will pay $1000 for it? And then, how many people ask you to do “little” projects for them that take 10 hours and only offer you $20?
This is even worse when you have a less “physical” result to account for time. Yes, you can read the words I write – but valuing my writing time is a challenge. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been expected to write for nothing but the “privilege” of the exposure.
So – are you a sell-out if you work to get paid, and paid decently? No.
What is a sell-out?
Over the years, the meaning of the phrase “sell-out” has changed. In the 1960s, for example, a sell-out was anyone who “did it for the man” or otherwise worked with or for, rather than against, the establishment.
There are a lot of ways in which one can be a sell-out for “the man”. But just because you earn money – specifically for an art – doesn’t make you a sell-out.
So, what does? If you work against your better judgment, in opposition to your values and principles, or do something you know brings harm to others – you might be a sell-out.
For example – years ago, I had an opportunity to work for a company that produced vapes. They interviewed me to write advertising and web content for them. I was between jobs and needed to earn money to take care of things – and this was a writing opportunity.
However, I have been a lifelong non-smoker. In high school, when my friend’s dad asked me to buy cigarettes for him when we went out, I even said, “Sorry, I can’t. I cannot support what you do and won’t participate in you turning your lungs into malignant lumps of black coal.” (Really. I said this at 18 to my friend’s dad).
Vaping was still new when I had this interview – but I felt dirty even thinking about helping sell a product I KNOW causes harm. I walked out before the interview really got going because I knew I couldn’t sell-out in support of this.
When you knowingly ply your art in support of something that you don’t support just for money – you’re a sell-out. And that, in my opinion, is the sole definition.
Getting paid as an artist
Because art is subjective, it is that much harder to get paid to do your art.
There are numerous “great” works of art – painting, sculptures, books, music – that are worth obscene amounts of money. And some of them are just ludicrous. Artist or not, you look at that dot in the middle of a canvas and question – who in the hell thought THAT was worth $25,000?
Because of human nature, we love to compare ourselves to others. When we work in a similar field, we can be extra-critical. I do this all the time. I’ve read bestsellers and scratched my head wondering – how is this so popular? More than once I’ve come across articles on Medium that had thousands and thousands of views – but was riddled with typos.
To each their own. And, while we do make comparisons, it’s important to remember that we are not in competition with one another.
One of the biggest issues I have when it comes to my writing is valuing my work. Whether it’s how I price one of my novels – or my hourly rate for web content work – I get very uncomfortable with this process.
Charging $25 an hour for content writing, I know, is well below the rate someone with my experience and skill should charge. If I charge $50 an hour? That’s really the minimum. Yet charging $75 an hour – or more – feels greedy to me.
However – I know, logically, that it’s not. Given my experience, skill, and knowledge base – this is a reasonable amount. And undervaluing myself for the sake of not offending stifles my growth.
To quote Marianne Williamson’s brilliant Our Deepest Fears,
“There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.”
This totally applies to your paycheck as an artist.
You aren’t a sell-out for getting paid
Unless you ply your art as a hobby – you have every right not only to get paid – but paid fairly. Frankly, as you gain skill, so, too should you be paid well.
My wife is something of an expert when it comes to crocheting. She’s been plying this art for over 30 years. When she makes a scarf, a hat, or a cardigan, she might be able to do it swiftly – but when she does it for money, she seldom charges the true value.
However – it’s a hobby for her. Making any money off her hobby is sufficient. Were she to decide to make a living off it, I expect she’d considerably raise what she charges.
My marketing consultant thinks I undercharge for my books. And she might be right, frankly. However, since I am still not a known quantity as a sci-fi and fantasy writer – this is a calculated decision on my part.
Sure, I could easily charge at least $2 more per book. And while I might earn more per book sold – the volume of sales, as a not-well-known quantity, is bound to be less.
In my experience, people are more apt to spend $3 to get an eBook from an author they’re unfamiliar with than $5 or more for it. If I sell 1 copy at $5 versus 10 copies at $3, it’s not hard to determine where I make more.
Is my work worth more? I believe it is. However – until I’m a more familiar name in the industry, this is the choice I am making.
But I digress.
Make art, maintain your integrity, get paid
When you create your art for public consumption, unless you are standing against your principles, beliefs, and values – you are not a sell-out. You deserve to be paid – and paid well – for your art.
If you have chosen art as your profession, not only are you not a sell-out, you are worthy and deserving of earning a living from your art
Thank you for being part of my ongoing journey, for joining me, and for inspiring me and my craft.
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