I recently read a literary opinion piece. I wanted to share it with you because I was absolutely stunned—literally—when I learned that some banks pay "writers" to write and finish a book. The article in question was written by Alberto Olmos in "El Confidencial ," and you can read it here.
The worst part is that apparently this has been going on for several years now! And as he rightly says, when you're offered money before you even start a book and you have to finish it, it's a real hassle... Where does that leave the art of writing a book for the sheer joy of it? Where does that leave the literary creation of the writer who must give their best to ensure it sells and pleases readers?
Yes, it's true that very few writers make a living solely from writing, and that the profit a book can generate from sales, assuming it does well, ranges from €1.000 to €10.000, a far cry from the up to €50.000 offered by these grants (the amount varies depending on the bank or organization awarding it). But where does the risk of literary creation come in? What's more, when you start a book, you don't even know if you'll finish it; however, with this grant, you're obligated to complete it. And once it's written, what pleasure do you get from the book if you've already been paid for it before even writing it? Who's to say that the book is good or that you have talent as a writer? The worst part, and perhaps the most logical, is that the bank gives you the money as a grant, and if for any reason you don't finish the book, you have to pay it back. What a hassle! More responsibility, less credibility as a writer, less literary creation, and less artistic pleasure.
If someone sees the advantage of this type of creative project (and that is not the money itself), tell me, please.
Receiving a creative writing grant doesn't guarantee your book will be good; it doesn't mean you're a talented writer; and unfortunately, it doesn't mean literature or reading will be encouraged among young people. Let's be serious! Writing is an art , not an obligation or something mechanical.