Bad mistake Quote by Nat Hentoff
![“I told [a big investor in The New Yorker] - I was complaining the way writers complain.I said'[Bill Shawn] pays very well, but a lot of my pieces don't get in,' and that was true of most of the writers there.But he pays you for them, that was very nice of him. This guy didn't think it was very…” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aff/nat-hentoff-1615_bad-mistake_i-told-a-big-investor-in-the-new-yorker_1855550.jpg)
“I told [a big investor in The New Yorker] - I was complaining the way writers complain.I said'[Bill Shawn] pays very well, but a lot of my pieces don't get in,' and that was true of most of the writers there.But he pays you for them, that was very nice of him. This guy didn't think it was very nice. He figured, 'Oh, my God, that's more of my investment gone,' and paying money to writers for not printing them. That became, apparently, one of his weapons against Shawn when he - in the corporate skirmishes that went on. It was a bad mistake on my part.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1970s, Nat Hentoff discussing publishing economics
Paying writers for unpublished work created tension, as investors saw it as wasteful, highlighting the clash between artistic support and financial expectations.
In simple terms: Paying for work that isn’t used can cause conflict.
Key Takeaway
Balance support for creators with fiscal responsibility.
Themes
publishing
finance
creative labor
investor relations
Mood
critical
pragmatic
Type
analytical
industry
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- editorial policy
- author contracts
- grant funding
Key Concepts
economics of media
artist compensation
corporate strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- Should publishers invest in unpublished work?
- How can investors be convinced of the value of creative risk?
A Different Perspective
The practice may undervalue the long‑term benefits of nurturing talent.
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