[caslon]

I know a couple authors who get paid in this fashion. They all lament how it's immensely stressful, how they can never take a vacation, and how there's always a constant fear that their revenue source will be taken out by not being able to write during stressful life events.

I agree that information should be free, but for it to be justly done, work needs to become optional for everyone.

[pessimizer]

Is pitching to publishers less precarious?

[caslon]

Yes, because you don't have to be "on" 24/7. An author selling to conventional media can take a vacation, because their compensation isn't drip-fed.