Hi I was wondering if someone could answer my question. If I were to publish a book what are all the fees, charges or commissions I need to be aware about? And what would one's royalty be?
Publishing Question
- Thread starter Diandra
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Hi, Diandra.
Someone else will be able to give you more information than I could.
Haha, I'd hope so!
And someone else could probably tell you more than me.
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PeekABooWriter
Banned
I think the fees vary within a certain range depending on whether or not your publisher and agent are international or local to you. I am not sure about all the details, but I have read a bit and that is what I saw. I think 10-15% for local.. and 15-25% international ..I think..I dunno.
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Yeah, that's right.
Royalties are different. They vary on what you're writing and how the publisher wants to print the book. Naturally you'll get a higher royalty for a hardcover than a paperback, but they vary.
Try reading books like Publisher's Marketplace for answers to these questions. It should answer them and others like, how much of an advance is fair and the like.
Honestly, when it comes to contract time, if you have an agent, they will help you with the publisher's contract. But if you're on your own, find a literary attorney or agent who's willing to help you.
The best advise is to do your research. Read the right books, check out forum topics, the web, blah, blah, blah. You get my drift.
Hope this helped! Happy writing!
Royalties are different. They vary on what you're writing and how the publisher wants to print the book. Naturally you'll get a higher royalty for a hardcover than a paperback, but they vary.
Try reading books like Publisher's Marketplace for answers to these questions. It should answer them and others like, how much of an advance is fair and the like.
Honestly, when it comes to contract time, if you have an agent, they will help you with the publisher's contract. But if you're on your own, find a literary attorney or agent who's willing to help you.
The best advise is to do your research. Read the right books, check out forum topics, the web, blah, blah, blah. You get my drift.
Hope this helped! Happy writing!
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Hey Diandra,
I see you've asked this question three times now, and the reason you're not getting a satisfactory answer is that it's such a huge subject, with so many variables. You really need to read up on the industry - you won't get the quick answer you want here or anywhere. But everything you want to know is around here somewhere on previous threads or stickies. Take some time looking around, or read a good book on the subject like someone else suggested, and you'll find more than enough info.
Fact is, you'll only succeed in writing if you do it for love, not money - and money is something most of us only worry about once someone offers us some. It's a long way down the road for a lot of us!
But you've come to the right place for some great travelling companions. Welcome and good luck!
I see you've asked this question three times now, and the reason you're not getting a satisfactory answer is that it's such a huge subject, with so many variables. You really need to read up on the industry - you won't get the quick answer you want here or anywhere. But everything you want to know is around here somewhere on previous threads or stickies. Take some time looking around, or read a good book on the subject like someone else suggested, and you'll find more than enough info.
Fact is, you'll only succeed in writing if you do it for love, not money - and money is something most of us only worry about once someone offers us some. It's a long way down the road for a lot of us!
But you've come to the right place for some great travelling companions. Welcome and good luck!
Hello, and welcome! Actually, the old addage around here is that money flows to the author and not away from the author. Beware of any requested fees from publishers or agents. Do as you were advised to do, you need to explore the headings of the forums and pick a subject that will best answer you concerns. Good luck. You're on your way to becoming an author. 
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Hi, Diandra! Welcome to the Cooler.
There are a number of ways to answer your question, so perhaps you could tell us what SORT of publishing you had in mind. See, there are different kinds, sort of like grocery shopping. You can:
a) go with one of the major companies like Random House, Dell, Tor or Avon (for example) where the royalties will be around 8-10% of the list price, and you'll receive an advance against future royalties; or
b) go with a small press/university press (depending on your book's genre/category) if the book really isn't of national interest but would sell really well in a geographic location or to fans of a hobby or interest. They pay a little higher commission because they often have a lower print run and less marketing of the book. Think in the 10-15% of list price range; or
c) go with an electronic publisher (you'll have to choose carefully. Some are really good, others not so much.) They often pay on NET price, rather than list price, though. So while you might see royalties on their website upwards of 25%, it's determine after expenses are paid by the publisher (something the larger companies don't do); or
d) finally, you can go with a self-publishing company or create your own company. While it's not a good way to make a LIVING as a writer, it can be useful to get just one book on the market. There are any number of companies that do this, but you'll pay THEM for the privilege of publishing, rather than them paying YOU. It should work the other way around, and you'll find yourself doing a lot of marketing of the book, rather than writing the next one. But if it's the only one, it's not a terrible thing. Most of the self-publishing companies use digital presses, and you'll see the term "print on demand" or "POD" used a lot. You'll also hear the terms "subsidy press" and "vanity press" in the same sentence. Subsidy means you're paying the publisher directly out of your pocket, rather than the sales of the book paying them.
Which one do you have in mind? Then we can direct you further.
There are a number of ways to answer your question, so perhaps you could tell us what SORT of publishing you had in mind. See, there are different kinds, sort of like grocery shopping. You can:
a) go with one of the major companies like Random House, Dell, Tor or Avon (for example) where the royalties will be around 8-10% of the list price, and you'll receive an advance against future royalties; or
b) go with a small press/university press (depending on your book's genre/category) if the book really isn't of national interest but would sell really well in a geographic location or to fans of a hobby or interest. They pay a little higher commission because they often have a lower print run and less marketing of the book. Think in the 10-15% of list price range; or
c) go with an electronic publisher (you'll have to choose carefully. Some are really good, others not so much.) They often pay on NET price, rather than list price, though. So while you might see royalties on their website upwards of 25%, it's determine after expenses are paid by the publisher (something the larger companies don't do); or
d) finally, you can go with a self-publishing company or create your own company. While it's not a good way to make a LIVING as a writer, it can be useful to get just one book on the market. There are any number of companies that do this, but you'll pay THEM for the privilege of publishing, rather than them paying YOU. It should work the other way around, and you'll find yourself doing a lot of marketing of the book, rather than writing the next one. But if it's the only one, it's not a terrible thing. Most of the self-publishing companies use digital presses, and you'll see the term "print on demand" or "POD" used a lot. You'll also hear the terms "subsidy press" and "vanity press" in the same sentence. Subsidy means you're paying the publisher directly out of your pocket, rather than the sales of the book paying them.
Which one do you have in mind? Then we can direct you further.
I was thinking about choice "A" if I could but from what I have heard it is really hard to get a book published.
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You've heard right . . . and wrong. It's no more difficult for a debut author of a really good book to get published than it is for a multi-published writer of a really good book. It's no more difficult for a multi-published author of an adequate book to get published over a debut author.
In fact, it's EASIER for a debut author to get published in today's market. Publishers are really on the lookout right now for the "next new bestseller" and debut authors can often be had for less up-front money than seasoned writers.
What IS difficult for a debut author is creating that "really good book." It takes a lot of time and effort, and sometimes it's only after the second or third manuscript when an author's writing has evolved to create a really good book.
Just don't sell it short early on. There's no recovering from a bad publisher. There's only moving on. It's best not to get involved WITH a bad publisher to begin with.
There are several links in our FAQ room and Novel forum that will get you started on the right track for option a).
A Glossary of Definitions
Manuscript Formatting
How Real Publishing Works
Writing the Perfect Query Letter
Legitimate Publishers for new authors
So, once you've read and digested all these things, feel free to stop back with the (inevitable) questions you'll have.
In fact, it's EASIER for a debut author to get published in today's market. Publishers are really on the lookout right now for the "next new bestseller" and debut authors can often be had for less up-front money than seasoned writers.
What IS difficult for a debut author is creating that "really good book." It takes a lot of time and effort, and sometimes it's only after the second or third manuscript when an author's writing has evolved to create a really good book.
Just don't sell it short early on. There's no recovering from a bad publisher. There's only moving on. It's best not to get involved WITH a bad publisher to begin with.
There are several links in our FAQ room and Novel forum that will get you started on the right track for option a).
A Glossary of Definitions
Manuscript Formatting
How Real Publishing Works
Writing the Perfect Query Letter
Legitimate Publishers for new authors
So, once you've read and digested all these things, feel free to stop back with the (inevitable) questions you'll have.
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Cathy C is totally Sage on this subject. So, I will just welcome you! Good luck with your writing!
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Take a look at my overview, The Pursuit of Publishing: An Unvarnished Guide for the Perplexed. It will give you a quick orientation and guidance to more information. Free. No gimmicks.
--Ken
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