Question about being an external advisor

InsaneChef

First of all, I apologize if this is not the best sub to put this question.

Kinda simple question, but as it's the first time something like this happened to me, I require some intel.

Have just been contacted by a book publisher. This person is about to print a book (400+ pages) regarding a specific software, and has contacted me to review the technical bits. In return, I get no cash or royalties, but I go get to put my own bio and links in the book.

Is this a fair deal?

Beano

so you get no payment for what could be a lot of work?

InsaneChef

Beano wrote: »

so you get no payment for what could be a lot of work?

Correct. Not a dime. I am trying hard to let my name out for specialists in this type of software, so I do this for the credits, mainly, but somehow I think they're taking a bit of an advantage on me...

Again, this comes out of the blue, don't know anything regarding how this world works

Beano

Only you can decide if they time spent is worth the exposure. And of course they are taking advantage of you. Why pay somebody else when they can get you to do it for nothing.

InsaneChef

Beano wrote: »

Only you can decide if they time spent is worth the exposure. And of course they are taking advantage of you. Why pay somebody else when they can get you to do it for nothing.

So being able to throw in my details, links to my website and free copies of the book isn't enough?

I thought credits were of high value in the technical and creative world...

Beano

InsaneChef wrote: »

So being able to throw in my details, links to my website and free copies of the book isn't enough?

I thought credits were of high value in the technical and creative world...

the only person that can answer that is you. Is it worth it to you?

InsaneChef

Beano wrote: »

the only person that can answer that is you. Is it worth it to you?

I need to leave my footprint in this small world, but not if I'm going to be trampled on. Need to think more. Thanks for your input, Beano

nuac

What you propose doing may take up a lot of time.

I have proof-read theses for various relatives. Even proper proof reading takes time.

If cash not available suggest you get copies for presentation to firms and institutions who do not already get copies of new books.

E.g. in Ireland afaik only TCD and the former NUI colleges get a copy of every book published in Ireland. It may help to get your name out there if a copy wnt to the library of all the colleges now providing IT courses.

Review copies of course to all usual suspects.

Stheno

InsaneChef wrote: »

I need to leave my footprint in this small world, but not if I'm going to be trampled on. Need to think more. Thanks for your input, Beano

In the field I work in any updates/new versions of the literature is reviewed for no compensation by numerous people working in the field and they get credits for it in the book

Only the authors of the book get paid, and even that's a pittance

Peregrinus

Writing of all kinds is extraordinarily-badly paid work. The main reason you would do this is to build your reputation and profile in the field, and then only if your reputation and profile in the field was a commercial asset that you could exploit. If contributing to the book is worthwhile from that point of view then it's worthwhile. If it isn't worthwhile from that point of view, then it's very unlikely that in today's publishing market you will find anyone willing to pay you a commercial rate for the time you would have to spend on this project.

InsaneChef

I thank you all for your answers. I decided to go ahead with the editing so I can gain a few credits and let my name out there