What rate should my friend be getting on a book he is writing?
Educational / training book rather than fiction if that makes a difference.
First book if that makes a difference.
Was he paid to write it? If so, probably nothing unless the sales are unexpectedly high. If not, there's usually a clause in the contract saying no royalties until sales reach a certain level, but he won't get a huge amount for educational books as far as I remember. (Parents used to run an academic publishing co, so knowledge is a bit out of date, but I doubt much has chaged in that workd...)
Check the contract for cut-price sales royalties!
A friend of mine got stung, so although her book sells steadily she gets nothing from Amazon sales as they are discounted.
Tell him to get an agent.
Academic publishing does not pay, it is done for kudos and respect and it looks good on your CV.
Most authours get nothing unless they are Chompsky or Lomburg.
Royalties are like a joiner getting paid every time somebody opens or closes one of the doors he has fitted, you should get paid once and thats it.
If he writes it for Kindle he'll get royalties on every single book he sells, typically 30%
Most academic book payment is a few free copies of the book - if it sells over a certain amount then you can get some royalties but it is a pretty small amount. Not just in terms of the hours of work involved but in the i have found more down the back of the sofa sort of amount.
project - Member
Royalties are like a joiner getting paid every time somebody opens or closes one of the doors he has fitted, you should get paid once and thats it.
Thats beautiful. I'll pay you a pound every time I express that sentiment.
Royalties are like a joiner getting paid every time somebody opens or closes one of the doors he has fitted, you should get paid once and thats it
😆
I've heard some poor analogies in my time, but that one really scrapes the bottom of the barrel. More please 😆
Royalties are like a joiner getting paid every time somebody opens or closes one of the doors he has fitted, you should get paid once and thats it
This analogy only applies if people specifically choose to walk through this door becauase they like it, and have to pay each time.
Otherwise, it's nothing like royalties on book sales.
...or reversing the analogy, a joiner getting paid every time someone opens or closes one of the doors he has fitted is like an author being paid every time I read their book even after I have already paid for it with my hard-earned.
Now THAT would stink but I imagine isn't far off with the rise of e-book readers and is no doubt already part of Amazon's grand strategy. Subscription services, you see. One day none of us will own anything outright
For a book like that it will probably be a flat fee (on completion). Rate would depend on extent, how rare his specialist knowledge might be, potential sales etc. Could be anything from £1k to £10k. He doesn't need an agent but shouldn't be afraid to ask for more if he feels they need him more than he needs them. Certainly don't do it for a few copies of his own book!
