That sounds very interesting, I'll take a look at the book. I actually posted something related to your point about authors asking for payment only a day or two ago. Feel free to take a look at it if you've got the time. Other than that, I agree with your point. However, the article, in my opinion at least, is less about asking for payment and/or sponsorship, and more so about having no opportunity to rely on some support in the first place, be it from wealthy family members or a job that conveniently allows you to write all day while paying your bills. Writers and artists should take the donuts when they are offered, but unfortunately they rarely are. It doesn't in any way diminish the art itself, but if one were to go into the field expecting donuts to be offered to them outright, I'm afraid they'd be in for a rough awakening.