20 Comments

I'm always happy for a chance to tell you that PSSST! touched the human heart that is my kid Ramona's, in that it was her favorite favorite for so many years.

I recently had a fairly demoralizing experience where a book I had previously earned out on was suddenly MASSIVELY (tens of thousands of dollars) in the hole on royalty statements, and I was like, "wait, did EVERYONE return their copy?" Turns out they never applied my advance in the early years of the book's existence, so I thought I had earned out, but had not. Or maybe it did, who knows. But now I'm back to earning against the advance. I also see earning out as success -- maybe not the only success, but certainly a particular ladder rung of success, and I'm still wrapping my brain around what it means if I suddenly find out I'm a lot closer to the ground on that book than I thought I was. Also it just feels kinda mean, but the royalties man I talked to on the phone couldn't really speak to that.

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Oh god, that's dispiriting. I'm sorry that happened to you.

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Eh, it's all right. I want to say "it happens!" but I don't know anyone else it has happened to. (I keep hoping they'll call and say "oh GOSH we were wrong again and we owe you so much money now!")

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Thanks Aunt Adam and Aunt Lian!

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Jul 2, 2023Liked by Adam Rex

I pre-order all of your books for the library I work at, Adam! Fingers crossed that Oh No, The Aunts are Here earns out for you!

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Thank you so much, Jessica!

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Apr 27, 2023Liked by Adam Rex

Hopefully that isn't a real check. You just gave out Auntie's account number to the substack community. Always be careful of other people's privacy if that is real!

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It would be quite a coincidence if it turned out to be a cashable check! Seeing as I just made up numbers and invented a bank.

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Here’s hoping this one earns out!!! 🍾 we got this Adam!!

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Apr 24, 2023Liked by Adam Rex

I'm still not entirely convinced that this isn't some kind of mystery puzzle to solve... At least it has all the elements of a great escape room/box clue! At any rate, remembering the complicated spread sheet involved in putting together book estimates at Cricket, royalty sheets ARE mysteries! Congrats and wishes for much success (however you choose to interpret it) on the new title--will be ordering this for my library.

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Thanks, Ron!

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Haha, love this post and so excited for your book!

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Thanks, Rachel!

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I'm always happy to see Pssst! mentioned, it's one of my many Adam Rex favorites. The illustration of the person chilling outside the bat exhibit in their discount bat-suit with their balloon MAKES that book for me! It's hilarious!

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His name is Bruce. I'm sure you've noticed he has a robin next to him.

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Loved this issue.

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Thanks! I just rad a couple of yours that involve using ChatGPT, and now I want to hide in bed.

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That was a lot of fun... I enjoyed the whole thing.... I'm involved with a community radio station here in Astoria Oregon...KMUN... I read bedtime stories on alternating Mondays and have a kids show on Saturday mornings... If you're ever vacationing on the Oregon Coast... look me up and come be on the radio... it's a lot of fun!

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Ha ha. This is good stuff.

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In my 13 years opening an indie bookstore 5 days a week, I would read a picture book each day as I walked through the children's section to turn on the lights. Billy Twitters is one of my all-time favorites.

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