Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site orca.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!umcp-cs!gymble!lll-crg!dual!qantel!hplabs!tektronix!orca!ariels From: ariels@orca.UUCP (Ariel Shattan) Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers,net.tv.drwho Subject: Re: Payment to guests at cons Message-ID: <1659@orca.UUCP> Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 11:35:45 EDT Article-I.D.: orca.1659 Posted: Mon Aug 12 11:35:45 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 22:04:01 EDT References: <516@brl-tgr.ARPA> Distribution: net Organization: sixes and sevens Lines: 36 Xref: linus net.sf-lovers:8390 net.tv.drwho:1013 > Just out of curiosity... What is the generally-accepted formula for > paying "star"-type guests at cons, like the actors that have played the > Doctor at Dr. Who cons, or the Star Trek actors at ST cons, or noted > authors at SF cons? Do they get just free room & board and travel > expenses, or are they paid a rate equivalent to what they would get as > actors in a stage production lasting that long (and if so, how are > author's fees determined?), or do the con committees negotiate a fee > with the personalities' agents, or what? > > In general terms, do these people attend these cons out of the goodness > of their hearts, or for the publicity value, rather than to make money? > Or do they do it as a job and charge "commercial" rates for their time? > > Will Martin Guests at media cons are often paid appearance fees. At most SF cons, the guests of honor get transportation, room, maybe board or a per diem for themselves and a companion or family. Authors and artists who aren't guests of honor may get free membership in the convention for themselves and maybe a guest or companion. This sort of thing depends on the policy of the con committee. Most authors I know go to cons not for publicity or any sense of altruism, but because they enjoy cons. They get to get fawned over by fans, hob-nob with fellow authors, party, make business connections, and write it all off on their taxes as a business expense (which it is!). To get an author at your convention, just write directly to the author and ask. A few authors will direct enquiries to agents, but most handle their own corespondence. I don't know the details of getting a media personality to a convention because I've never been on the con-com of a media con. Ariel (Come to Orycon!) Shattan ..!tektronix!orca!ariels