Hi all, I've looked around this site and there are a lot of great things here. Thanks for the info you've given me so far, and I hope you can help me out once more.
I'm quite intrigued by non-fiction series like Frommer's, Fodor's, Dummies, and Complete Idiot's guide. I own a few and I'm curious how it all works. If someone could break it down for me I would greatly appreciate it.
Who makes money off all of the series books? If Frommer's is a company, I guess they would...but what about series with individual authors like Dummies? Does the person with the original idea of Dos for Dummies still collect today (off titles like French Wine for Dummies)? or does it all go to the publisher? I'm sure it all depends on the contract, but is it possible that it could go either way? I've just started researching writing a nonfiction book, so I'm sure this is all readily available somewhere, I just haven't found it yet. I feel like I have a good idea for a non-fiction book that could possibly be developed into a series. I couldn't write all the books because I'm not knowledgeable about all of the topics.
It seems like the Dummies books are marketed extremely well, but if someone could tell me the pros/cons of writing a how-to book under the Dummies name versus totally independent I would appreciate it. Also, what if I came up with my own series? I notice that they all have different authors, so what are my rights...if I come up with the series am I in the driver's seat or is the publisher b/c they, or I, will need to secure other authors? It seems to me that if I were to write for a series like Dummies I would get more publicity, but I would probably have less say/power/cut than if I went independent...am I totally off? Help!!!! Thanks.
I'm quite intrigued by non-fiction series like Frommer's, Fodor's, Dummies, and Complete Idiot's guide. I own a few and I'm curious how it all works. If someone could break it down for me I would greatly appreciate it.
Who makes money off all of the series books? If Frommer's is a company, I guess they would...but what about series with individual authors like Dummies? Does the person with the original idea of Dos for Dummies still collect today (off titles like French Wine for Dummies)? or does it all go to the publisher? I'm sure it all depends on the contract, but is it possible that it could go either way? I've just started researching writing a nonfiction book, so I'm sure this is all readily available somewhere, I just haven't found it yet. I feel like I have a good idea for a non-fiction book that could possibly be developed into a series. I couldn't write all the books because I'm not knowledgeable about all of the topics.
It seems like the Dummies books are marketed extremely well, but if someone could tell me the pros/cons of writing a how-to book under the Dummies name versus totally independent I would appreciate it. Also, what if I came up with my own series? I notice that they all have different authors, so what are my rights...if I come up with the series am I in the driver's seat or is the publisher b/c they, or I, will need to secure other authors? It seems to me that if I were to write for a series like Dummies I would get more publicity, but I would probably have less say/power/cut than if I went independent...am I totally off? Help!!!! Thanks.
