# The Business of Art

When the editors had a story idea that could get a journalist maimed or killed, I was among the first scribes they’d reach out to.

A way to play the numbers game that is publishing in a confined amount of time knowing that you gave the best options your best shot.

But you need to be careful, set clear boundaries, and have an ironclad goal in mind for when to turn the tap off and send a bill.

As a debut author, I didn’t know what to expect. Hopefully my road leading to publication will help readers who are on a similar journey, or who will be soon.

What happened? Where did all the good movies go? And most crucially, why have our viewing habits changed so much?

Before you build a dam or put up power lines, make sure the core filament in your idea bulb actually works. And how do you do that? Proof of concept.

Hollywood is deep in the throes of capitalist puppy-love with pre-existing intellectual property. But how do you get the underlying rights?

This process is frustrating, agonizing, soul-crushing, but also rewarding, exciting, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

I remember projects where the writers excitedly discuss their stories. Joy, heartache, and love of the story make all the difference.

You’ve just signed your entire career over to a complete stranger. Whether you succeed or not in your chosen field is completely up to someone who you’ve known for about sixty minutes. What have you just done?

As indie creators, we have neither the past notoriety, the platform, or the money to rely on classic marketing styles, so we have to get more creative.

Other people told me my script was good, so you should like it, too.” This is honestly one of the most naïve notions I’ve ever heard.

I’ll say it again because it’s worth repeating—put as many lightning rods in the ground as you can.

I was so focused on selling and too green to know myself that I ended up losing myself in the process.

There’s an energy to riffing off other writers and navigating a narrative together that has the potential to produce something great.