My dream

[ksmith]

All publishers move to direct deposit. Agent receives money within days after delivery/publication/second full moon of the month/whatever the agreed-upon dates are, then instantly deducts their commission and sends on the rest with the press of a key. No more 'the check was lost--we need to cut you another.' No more needing to wait 5-7 business days for paper checks to clear. It's just there. Clickety.

Comments

[coppervale.livejournal.com]

The above is part of my answer when people ask me why I also have a manager.

They keep in touch with my publisher; let me know the check is coming; and then wire me the money.

It also doesn't hurt that my manager also reps my publisher.

[slave2tehtink.livejournal.com]

Having actual published authors on my f-list is a revelation to me... You mean they DON'T use a nice, secure electronic deposit system? I mean, I realize that paper is the life-blood of the publishing industry, but c'mon, guys....

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

You mean they DON'T use a nice, secure electronic deposit system?

That would mean that the money would leave their system quicker and they wouldn't be able to blame the USPS for the fact that the check is late.

Sometimes, that check is in the mail for months...

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

OH, yesyesyes!!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

No, because it would be too fast. Money would be lost on interest and such.

Publishing will be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century some time in the 22nd century. Except in the case of digital/e-rights, which they want even if they don't intend to do anything with them.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It would make things simpler, wouldn't it? Just the fact that the funds wouldn't have to be held until they cleared.

I mean, we can file income taxes electronically. I haven't received a paper check at the day job in *years*.

[daveamongus.livejournal.com]

I had to fight and scrap with a freelance client to get them to wire me the money. And somehow, now that I've gotten them to do that, it's coming up $10 short every month.

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

Yep. Here in Canadaland, they hold U.S. cheques fifteen working days. I can get around it on the small cheques, but I made a deposit last week that won't be good until September 25th!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Sounds like they're deducting all or part of the wire fee. That's nice.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Do you mean "October 25th"?

Because, like, wow.

[daveamongus.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Tarri (a/k/a the business manager) is not pleased.

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

Oops! It must be catching. Someone just left a comment in one of my posts saying they'd been through Jasper Park in 1005.

Yes, October 25th.