Portion of royalties for a good cause?

[Joan]

Hi fellow authors! I need some input/opinion before making a big decision.
I found out yesterday that a friend of mine's grandson, due in May, is going to be born with a heart defect that will require several surgeries. Many of this woman's friends are holding benefits and bake sales, and doing all kinds of things to help her daughter and son-in-law with the medical expenses. It came to me that I have something easy to share in my book royalties. I was thinking of donating a percent (50%?)of all kindle royalties to the family until Labor Day or maybe even beyond. As of now, it wouldn't be much the way my promotion is currently going, but if they took part and word got out, it could be significant, right? It's a win-win the way I see it but even though I saw a few similar type things when I googled, a little piece of me sees it as exploitation. How do you all see it? I was thinking 50% but would it have to be 100% not to be exploitation?

In addition, it must be revealed that my book is a Christian based fiction novel which deals with issues such as what this family is facing - why God makes people born with or have to contend with such horrific difficulties if He loves us so much (amongst other topics). Any input is appreciated.

Thanks



Broken Pottery

[Diane]

I was so interested to see your post. I am doing the same thing for my book--a portion of the 2012 proceeds will go to victims of the BP oil disaster. (My book is called Black Oil, Red Blood, so the subject matter is relevant to the cause, just like your book and your cause.) While I was setting it up, I got some very interesting unsolicited feedback. Some people think I'm just donating in an attempt to create buzz and "profit" off the Gulf oil disaster, which couldn't be further from the truth. Some people were incredibly rude. Other people think it's a great thing, especially because the Gulf coast people really, really need a little extra help right now.

So you will probably get a little of both attitudes.

Ideally, it's a win-win, because you have a product, and the more your product sells, the more you can benefit your cause. So everybody's invested in getting behind both the product and the cause. This works as long as the majority of your audience doesn't misconstrue your intentions.

Should you HAVE to give 100% to make it legit? No. Nobody would ask you to give 100% of your 9-5 day job income to this cause in order to judge your contribution as "legit." The same principle should apply to your book proceeds.

Bottom line, you just have to know your own heart and feel comfortable with your own intentions. It sounds to me like your motivation comes from a genuine desire to give and help out, and if that's the case, you should do it.

I told myself that I know my own heart, and if people want to think I'm donating for the wrong reasons, that's their problem.

Anyway, that's been my experience so far. Hope that helps.

[Joan]

Thank you so much for the feedback! You are right, no matter what, there will be people saying I'm doing it for the wrong reason. I realize I'll get more sales by getting them help promote my book for their cause but I don't see how that is not a win-win.

I heard the Gulf Coast has made a comeback as far as tourism. Is that not the case yet?

[Diane]

You're welcome! I think it's a win-win. If the people behind the cause believe it's a win-win also, you've got nothing to lose.

There are still a lot of tarballs and even fresh oil mixed with foamy Corexit washing up on the beaches in certain areas. There are no shrimp. BP sponsored the Alabama shrimp festival this year and imported a lot of the shrimp from Asia! Many of the shrimp they are pulling up out of the Gulf are genetically mutated and have no eyes.

On top of that, there's a massive, unprecedented dolphin and sea turtle mortality event going on, and a lot of coastal residents are also suffering from skin lesions and respiratory problems.

But BP is running a multi-million dollar ad campaign saying everything is all right and inviting people to come on down in order to try to limit the damages.

Here's the real story: http://blackoilredblood.com/2011/11/h...

These pictures are from last September, but the Gulf coast residents post stuff like this on Facebook every day still:

http://blackoilredblood.com/2011/09/v...

[Joan]

Hello again -

Wow, I feel like a fool. I like to think of myself as slicker than the average Joe who listens to the media and makes a decision based on that one little piece. If it isn't something that immediately has to do with our lives, we take what we hear as fact, and then go about our normal business thinking everything is now fine since it doesn't directly impact us. Your link definitely showed that I do the same thing and that the gov't/business coverup is alive and well, while people and wildlife are not. I hope your book will get successful and bring attention to this.