Writers might want to reconsider penning those first- and other drafts of their books on their computers and instead (re)turn to literally penning them: the handwritten sort may offer a better pay-off, long term (okay, maybe only the heirs get to reap the rewards, but still ...).
Case in point: as, for example, reported at artdaily, Sotheby's London to offer one of the most important 20th century literary manuscripts in private hands, as the owners of the original draft of Beckett's Murphy will apparently be cashing in very nicely:
Handwritten in six exercise books between August 1935 and June 1936, in Dublin and London whilst Beckett was undergoing psychoanalysis, the manuscript, initially entitled "Sasha Murphy" is heavily revised throughout -- the hundreds of cancellations and revisions providing an eloquent witness to Beckett's struggle to give form to his artistic vision. The notebooks are also full of lively doodles hinting at the author's preoccupations during this period, including recognisable portraits of James Joyce, Beckett himself, and Charlie Chaplin (later an influence on the tramps in Waiting for Godot), as well as astrological symbols and musical notations. The centrepiece in Sotheby's sale of English Literature, History, Children's Books and Illustrations, the manuscript is estimated to realise £800,000 - £1.2 million.I hope there's a facsimile edition in the works, too.