Just in case anyone's interested, I've added a new bit to my blog. A lot happened today - the proofs arrived, I had my cover shot taken, and I had an email tussle with that guy who wrote the article in The Guardian ranting about 'cheap as chips' ventures like Macmillan New Writing. It's all in the blog. Or should I say plog.

http://rogersplog.blogspot.com

Just to make it easier for you if you are interested.

Thanks, Roger, it was a help. This whole thing is riveting. I can understand Tim's point of view, yours too.

Sheila

Tim Clare's insufferable arrogance puts me of wanting to read his, rather pretentiously titled, book. Roger's excerpt was stunning I felt, and Clare's reaction to all this Macmillian stuff smacks of jealously, or the worst kind of self-love - so he's allowed to be published but no one else? Idiot.

JB

Mybe he sees it as a trend - if Macmillan stops paying authors an advance others will follow suit. Don't forget it takes a long time after pubication before any royalties are paid - at least a year.

Sheila

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Oh, I just noticed you say on your home page that your book was published in 2007. You mean it will be published then? That seems a long lead-in, or maybe the date is wrong. How long did you wait for royalties? Did you at least get a signing fee or delivery fee?

Sheila

Most royalties are split into three: a third at signature, a third at delivery,. and a third at publication. So it all depends when these things happen!

That has not been my experience and I think we have a different definition of royalties, which by my understanding means an ongoing percentage of earnings paid out at intervals, usually yearly, depending on the annual sales figures for the book, for as long as the book goes on selling, including reprints, negotiated film and translation rights, etc. The fee for contract signing and for delivery of the completed manuscript - in my case there was no additional fee on publication - are fixed and regarded as advances against the first year's royalties. I expect practices vary as to initial fees.

Sheila

I think much depends on the initial contract, too. My own experience, unlike yours, is limited to one book only, and that an academic one. Although it was published in 2002 I had some royalties for 2003-4 and am about to start chasing them again for 2004-5, as there was a further print run.

oops - I'm very sorry, wasn't paying attenction. I meant ADVANCE on royalties! Of course, royalties don't come till much, much later. Which can be frustrating!

My book comes out in the states in 2007, January I believe. My publisher is already looking into avenues of publication in Europe. I tried America because I got bored of all the high praise UK agents and publishers gave with no offer of contract. Basically, I think the idea of a mainstream gay thriller scared them.

Anyway, it is a way away, but my publisher explained their list, and that she wanted time to give serious thought to the marketing of the book. I made a choice. They are a reputable publisher, whose books have won many awards, and I thought I'd be kicking myself if I refused the contract and then in 2007 still be seeking publication. So, after my mum told me I was 'nuts' for walking around with an unsigned book contract 'thinking about it', I decided to go for it. The wait has allowed to redraft the book, made it a lot stronger. It's only a year and a half away now, so it's not that bad.

I got no advance, but I have a 40% royalty, paid every 6 months, as the book is also going to come out in downloadable and audio versions, as well as paperback.

JB


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I'm reliably informed that the advance thing is a bit of a myth anyway. A writer will get an advance on a sure-fire hit, something a publisher's marketing team are 100% certain they'll get their return on. Published authors can also demand an advance, but as an untried, with no certainty people will either buy your book, or read it, I'm told that it's very rare to be offered an advance.

JB

40%?? Most publishers here pay 10% and when my publisher teamed up with an American publisher they said US sales would only be worth 8% to me! Yes, it does give you lots of time to polish the manuscript.Good luck.

Does signing the contract mean you can't sell it to anyone else? Do you have an agent? I seem to remember there's something in contracts about publishing within a certain time-frame after completion of the manuscript. I definitely would not sign a contract again without an agent to give it the once-over.

Sheila

Well, I went to a lawyer who checked out the contract and the company, and you kind of have to trust your gut feelings. They are only a small publisher, but I admire their goals, and if my book goes mega, then they themselves will act like an agent for it. I have so far yet to see what the hell I'd need an agent for (apart from to take a slice of my money), but I'm sure that part will come.

Now, herein lies the rub. I am under contract, and my contract states that my publisher wants first refusal on my next book, but that I can disagree with this on a verbal basis. However, I have nearly finished another novel, and I definately want the new one published in the UK initially. It will be under a different psuedonym and a different genre, and I'm going to start submissions by the end of the year at the latest. Is this risky? Will I get into trouble if I sign another contract with another agent or publisher? Any advice will be greatly aprpeciated.

Yeah. 40%. Nice, hey?

JB



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I mean, what happens if it ends up that the new book will come out before the already contracted one. I don't see why I have to put mu career on hold for two years!

Hi, James, if I can butt in here. Macmillan also have that 'option on the second book' thing. This was one aspect of the contract that gave me serious grounds for my biggest wobble. You see it was, 'option on the second book on the same terms as the first'. Which apart from anything else, seems to tie you in to an endless loop - because if the second contract is on the same terms as the first, that means I have to also offer them the third.

But I showed the contract to my agent, who is very experienced, was once a publisher, has published and repped some pretty big names. His reaction was more or less, not to worry about it too much. Focus on the first book. Worry about the second when the time comes.

He reassured me, basically.

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Congratulations on your book deal, by the way. 40% does sound very generous.

Thanks, congratulations to you too.

I'm only worrying about it now because my first novel is due out in 2007. My second novel is very nearly finished. I don't want to have to wait a year and a half in order to submit again as that's just not fair in my opinion. So, if I submit the second novel to UK agents or publishers, how does this affect my already contracted book deal? I really do want some advice here.

JB

Just my opinion, but I really think it would be a good idea to let your current publisher have a look at it first. You want to stay on their happy side, you know? But let them know you're concerned about the long lead time. I feel that you want to protect your name within the industry, especially as you're just breaking through with your first published novel. Maybe I'm too cautious, but....

Ani

I don't see why it should have any affect at all.