I'm tentatively talking to a publisher about a photobook, and they've said they'd offer me £250 as an advance on publication and 10% royalty.

This would be my first book, my first published photographs, and it's a book about my local town made up of 99% photography.

I know this is a writer's forum, but I'm wondering if they're being realistic or whether my total unfamiliarity with publishing is making me seem cheap!

Thanks!

Xarra, welcome to WriteWords, and congratulations on the offer.

To be honest, I'm not sure about a deal like that for a photobook, though a 10% royalty is very standard. What you think of any deal depends on the size of the publisher and the market, and the cost of producing and distributing the books. Put it this way: for a little independent press that might be an excellent offer, for a big house it wouldn't be at all.

One thing to be absolutely sure about is what the situation is with copyrights - do you keep them? Does the publisher control the rights (and get a cut or all of the payments?) to print and reproduction or do you? What's the deal if the books are remaindered or go out of print? And if it goes into paperback? And so on.

You could try asking the Society of Authors, who have a legendary contract-checking service for members: you've been offered a contract so are eligible to join. I would certainly suggest that you get the contract checked out by someone.

http://www.societyofauthors.org/index.html

Alternatively the photographer's bodies may do similar things. You probably know more about them than I do, but these are two who I know of:

http://hub.the-aop.org/

http://www.bipp.com/

Very good luck. I do hope it works out.

Emma

Hi, Xara, and welcome to WriteWords.

I can't answer your question, but I'm sure someone will be along who can. My gut feeling, however, is that since this book is a niche subject with a limited market I'm assuming it is a local publisher who is offering to publish it, in which case it is unlikely you will find another publisher to take it on, so some money is better than none. If, however, it is one of the large UK publishing houses, then maybe they are being a bit stingey. An advance is only an advance on predicted royalties from book sales and if they are offering £250 then presumably they are anticipating only local interest and local sales. If, however, there is wider, national, interest in the book, then you will benefit from the royalties.

If you need any help navigating the Site feel free to ask.


- NaomiM

<Added>

cross posted with Emma.

It's a small publisher that deals in Local History books... I've actually had 2 interested, but 1 can't do it to the size I want as they don't feel there's a market at the moment...

It probably will be only local interest/sales, so I'm assuming £250 is a good amount then!

(Erm, and I've only been submitting for about a week...)

You've obviously been submitting to the right people
Best of luck with the book.


- NaomiM

<Added>

...they may well commission more.

As a literary agent and co-founder of www.londonwritersclub.com I get asked similar questions all the time. Its a tough one as you want to get your book published but at the same time ensure that you are getting a good deal. A few questions to ask your publisher:

How many copies are they printing? and envisaging to sell?
What rights do they want for that? (this is different to copyright)
What price will they sell the book at?
What promotion - at all - will they do? (if its a local book you may want to consider promoting it yourself to local bookshops etc)
What will the royalities be based on - the published price or the net receipts (ie the money the publisher gets after all the deductions)

Photographic books are always more expensive to produce but if I were you, I would try and push them up. And make sure the contract is tight - contact londonwritersclub if you want more advice on the contract.

Good Luck.