Publisher - agent - author: is this the flow of money?

MarkEsq · Jan 23, 2009

I'm trying to review a collaboration agreement between myself and my subject (non-fiction, it's his biography). The compensation section says I pay him a percentage of "all gross sums received by the Author from the Publisher."

If the publishing contract is for $100, will my "gross sum" be $85 or $100??

And I'm asking a technical, not legal question: does the publisher give my agent her cut first, then pay me, does the publisher give it all to the agent who takes her cut and pays me, or do I get it all and have to pay her?

Hope this makes sense...!

Claudia Gray · Jan 23, 2009

The way the payment flow usually works is that the publisher pays the agent, who then takes her cut and pays the rest to you.

I am not sure whether "gross sum" would be $85 or $100 in that context, but I'd think it would be $100. But do not take my word for that.

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 23, 2009

"Gross" means "off the top of what the publisher pays" not "off the top of what you get from the agent."

Your agent takes 15% of the gross. It sounds like your subject wants his X% of the gross as well.

Take my word for this. If you want him to get X% of gross receipts less agent's fees, negotiate for that.

Publisher - agent - author: is this the flow of money?

MarkEsq

Clever title pending.

Claudia Gray

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago