I'm in the process of finding an agency, and i was wondering: How much it the *average* amount a publisher will pay for the rights of a YA novel??? Just curious
THANKS!!
THANKS!!
$ Money with book deals??$$$
- Thread starter kaitiepaige17
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I hear average is around 5K.
that's the advance. royalties are a whole 'nother deal (and you'll start earning them sooner the smaller your advance is)
that's the advance. royalties are a whole 'nother deal (and you'll start earning them sooner the smaller your advance is)
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It varies wildly, from $5K to $500K. (though the $5K is the more common of course) There was a thread on this recently, so you might want to do a search on that for more info. (since it was not long ago, folks might not post the same conversation over again).
You can also check Publisher's Marketplace for deal news. A search of YA debut will give you a good breakdown of what's been sold recently, and it goes back a few years.
Bottom line, don't expect much. If you're lucky to get a great deal, rejoice. But if you go into it expecting six figures and you get $20K, you'll feel disappointed instead of elated.
You can also check Publisher's Marketplace for deal news. A search of YA debut will give you a good breakdown of what's been sold recently, and it goes back a few years.
Bottom line, don't expect much. If you're lucky to get a great deal, rejoice. But if you go into it expecting six figures and you get $20K, you'll feel disappointed instead of elated.
If you're still trying to find an agent then I wouldn't be too worried about what a publisher might pay because you've still got a long way to go.
Without wishing to sound too negative, firstly you've got to find an agent willing to take on your book. If you do, then there's a good chance you'll have to do another edit of your book in line with the agent's comments before it's ready to be submitted to acquiring editors. Acquiring editors can take a while to get back to an agent and there's no guarantee that they'll want the book. I've met several people recently who have had their books out on submission for over a year, only to not have any publishers take it up.
And even if you do get a good advance, you need to bear in mind that it will be split into at least 2 payments (part payable on acceptance, part payable on delivery of the manuscript) and may well be spread over 2 years. And you'll lose 15% of that advance to your agent. And you'll have to pay tax on it as well.
Then there's the debate as to whether it's better to have a high advance or a low advance. High advances mean instant cash, which is nice. But it also means there are higher expectations of how your book will perform. You don't earn royalties until your book 'earns out' (i.e. sells a set number of copies) and if your book fails to earn out, then there's a chance your publisher might decide they don't want anything more from you.
So all in all, it's a lot to weigh up. But don't start worrying about it until you get to it.
In the UK, they tell you not to expect anything more than £5,000 for your first deal. J K Rowling purportedly only got £2,500 for the first 2 Harry Potters.
MM
The money is more in being prolific than landing a really great deal. IMO of course. My goal is to have at least 2 books a year out. Then you reach a point and your royalties are what is making you the money.
There are of course the huge deals that a few choice authors land, which is fantastic, but I want to have tons of great books out there with my name on em. I figure advances are whatever the publisher wants to pay, and I just keep on writing.
There are of course the huge deals that a few choice authors land, which is fantastic, but I want to have tons of great books out there with my name on em. I figure advances are whatever the publisher wants to pay, and I just keep on writing.
It also depends on more than being "YA". What's the genre, what's the length, who's the target audience? Is it one book or did you find a publisher who wants 2 or maybe even 3? (uncommon, but it happens) If many editors are interested, then that can drive the advances up, if only one bites then you go with what you get.
Actually lower advances are better. Publishers tends to get rid of authors who don't "earn out" their advance because it loses them money. The less you're paid upfront, the less reason they have to drop you.
Not necessarily. Getting a big advance shows that the publishers have confidence that the book will sell well and they promote it accordingly (better promotion generally leads to more sales).
Book Advance $
Wow! Can you post this as a stickie. It is solid info for us newbies.
Wow! Can you post this as a stickie. It is solid info for us newbies.
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