Dear Ms. Dawson,
After further consideration and internal discussion, we’d like to present a revised offer that better reflects the value of your work and the realistic timeline needed to produce quality illustrations.
Revised terms:
·Five-book series, timeline extended to twelve months
·$15,000 advance on signing (not $5,000)
·$10,000 per book on delivery
·Total advance potential: $65,000
·Royalties as previously discussed
We believe in your talent and want to make this work for you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss.
Best regards,
Milo Brooks
Executive Publisher, Stratton Publishing
I read it twice. Then three times.
Sixty-five thousand dollars. Twelve months. My actual dream.
I don’t understand what I’m looking at, because I turned this offer down. Twenty-nine days ago. The morning I woke up in Brody’s arms.
Why?
Because the only way I could dream of finishing five fully illustrated books in eight months was if I was out of debt. If I had the money from our contract to hold me over while I wrote the books. And I was going to break that contract.
Lose the money.
And it would have been worth it.
But now?
Now the wedding is over. The contract has expired. I have time.
And someone—somehow—negotiated better terms.
I pull out my phone. Text Jessa.
Chloe
Did you negotiate with Stratton Publishing?
Her response is immediate.
Jessa
What? No. Why? I’m at the coffee shop btw, needed to escape the apartment.
Chloe
I got a revised offer. Way better terms. $15K on signing, 12-month timeline.
