I have no clue...

Christa I'm going to leave your post here but also copy it to the Nonfiction board. I think you may get some informed responses there.

Hi Christa,
I have ghostwritten books before and contracted them in a variety of different ways. Is this book already under contract at a publisher, or are you being commissioned by the business person who is then going to find a publisher? You'll probably need to figure out how long it's going to take you, figure out a fair hourly rate (for your information, not for hers), then assess whether you want to charge a flat fee based on your estimate of number of hours x your rate, or take a percentage of potential royalties. If you don't have a publisher in hand, definitely go for the flat fee.

Writer fees

Hi Christa,

I have recently worked on a book for someone. I charged a flat fee for the formatted book block and then worked out an hourly charge for any edits or additions after that. Otherwise, the edits or additions can be limitless and you should protect yourself from ending up having to do a whole lot of extra hours for nothing. Of course, you could also charge a higher rate for the book block and include the edits at no additional charge up to a certain number of hours.

Base the fee on how many pages she wants the book to be. How easy is it for you to get information for the book? Does she supply it all or do you need to do some research or is it strictly that she tells you what she wants and you write it in your style? Based on that, try to determine the number of hours it will take you and then comprise the flat fee based on what you would charge per hour.

If the work also includes seeking publishers/agents, you might want to look at charging a percentage of the advance as a finder's fee, or a percentage of royalties up to a certain amount. The book block and the search for publishers/agents could be under two different parts of the agreement.

Maria

christa said:

I think I agree, to go for a flat rat would be best--still it seems almost impossible to come up with a figure. After composing the copy I'll also have to pursue the editor/agent/publisher. Maybe I should suggest self-publishing?

Christa

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Never take "a share of the royalties," period. It's a sucker's game.

The only exception would be if it's scheduled to come out from Random House in a first run of 100,000 units.

When you take "a share," the client can mess around with you at every step of the way, & then walk away, possibly taking your completed pieces. Even if it all works out, & the client buys 10,000 units herself to pass around, what's your share of zero?

Figure how many hours it's going to take you to interview, to research, to write, & to structure. Double this. Multiply this by $10. Okay, that figure's the absolute minimum you need to charge. (If you're not going to be allowed to ever admit it's your work, then double the dollars again.)

The two of you need a contract. That probably means you need a lawyer -- who pays?

Upon signing the contract (& maybe you're required to present a detailed project proposal at that time), get at least 25% of the figure before you write another word.

(I helped to "book doctor" a corporate history for their centennial. Businesslike clients appreciate businesslike relationships, & aren't shopping for the barebones low bidder.)