I'm meeting an editor tomorrow to sign a contract for the publication of an academic book. It's my first solo publication. Realistically, it will not exactly be a run-away best seller. Has anyone any idea of what sort of commission one gets from sales? I know all this will be outlined in the contract but I'd like to have some idea first. Regards, Ciaran
Publication of Academic Book
- Thread starter Ciaran
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Don't sign anything tomorrow! Meet him to discuss his offer, and take a copy to "show to your legal advisor / compare with other offers". I've no idea on typical arrangements, but don't just accept the first deal he offers. This is a business arrangement for him, don't let him treat it like it's a vanity project that you should be paying him to publish!
Your union or employer (if you work in a third level institution) may be able to give more specific advice.
DrMoriarty
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Congratulations!
Depending on what kind of book it is, you may find that the terms on offer are quite meagre, especially for a first publication. Some of these may only sell a few hundred copies, barely covering the cost of publication. The more specialised/esoteric the subject, the less 'saleable' it will appear to the publisher. Many academic books are subsidised by a publication grant from the institution to which the author is attached, since there is an obvious accrued benefit to the institution in terms of its research profile.
If on the other hand your work has the potential to end up being adopted as a textbook, particularly in an area with large student numbers, then there are grounds for supposing that there is a reasonable (and renewable) market for it and it becomes a commercial proposition. The best money, of course, is to be made in publishing (and republishing 'revised' editions of) secondary school textbooks and/or 'study notes'...
So, as MugsGame says, take some advice and don't sign anything immediately!
Depending on what kind of book it is, you may find that the terms on offer are quite meagre, especially for a first publication. Some of these may only sell a few hundred copies, barely covering the cost of publication. The more specialised/esoteric the subject, the less 'saleable' it will appear to the publisher. Many academic books are subsidised by a publication grant from the institution to which the author is attached, since there is an obvious accrued benefit to the institution in terms of its research profile.
If on the other hand your work has the potential to end up being adopted as a textbook, particularly in an area with large student numbers, then there are grounds for supposing that there is a reasonable (and renewable) market for it and it becomes a commercial proposition. The best money, of course, is to be made in publishing (and republishing 'revised' editions of) secondary school textbooks and/or 'study notes'...
So, as MugsGame says, take some advice and don't sign anything immediately!
A couple of things to look out for in the contract:
1. Will you be paid an advance against predicted royalties? If the book fails to meet these predictions will you be expected to return the unearned portion of the advance?
2. Is the royalty calculated on the list price of the book (i.e the price it is for sale at in the shops) or on publisher's net receipts (the price the publisher receives from the bookshop for the book). The latter is more common with trade books but I don't know about academic books. For trade books a royalty of 7.5-10% would be usual in the former and 15-23% on the latter.
3. Is there an 'option' clause? This is a clause that gives the publisher rights over your next book. Many publishing contracts have this but most publishers will delete without much protest if you insist.
4.Who controls subsidiary rights?
5. If the publishers allow the book to go out of print, cam you ask for the rights to revert to you? This is very important, you should be able to request the reversion of rights once the book has been o/p for six months. Related to this is what consitutes o/p. Normally it means when there are 20 copies or less in the publisher's warehouse and no reprint has been ordered.
5. Digital rights have also become really important. If a book is available as an ebook but not in hardcopy is it out of print? Your publisher will most likely not create an ebook out of your book immediately, but what about in 5 years time?
I second the advice given above about not signing immediately. No publisher will mind if you take the contract away with you for consideration.
1. Will you be paid an advance against predicted royalties? If the book fails to meet these predictions will you be expected to return the unearned portion of the advance?
2. Is the royalty calculated on the list price of the book (i.e the price it is for sale at in the shops) or on publisher's net receipts (the price the publisher receives from the bookshop for the book). The latter is more common with trade books but I don't know about academic books. For trade books a royalty of 7.5-10% would be usual in the former and 15-23% on the latter.
3. Is there an 'option' clause? This is a clause that gives the publisher rights over your next book. Many publishing contracts have this but most publishers will delete without much protest if you insist.
4.Who controls subsidiary rights?
5. If the publishers allow the book to go out of print, cam you ask for the rights to revert to you? This is very important, you should be able to request the reversion of rights once the book has been o/p for six months. Related to this is what consitutes o/p. Normally it means when there are 20 copies or less in the publisher's warehouse and no reprint has been ordered.
5. Digital rights have also become really important. If a book is available as an ebook but not in hardcopy is it out of print? Your publisher will most likely not create an ebook out of your book immediately, but what about in 5 years time?
I second the advice given above about not signing immediately. No publisher will mind if you take the contract away with you for consideration.