How Much Are Authors Paid?

[RhetorTheo]

I know there isn't a set answer, but how much money would a new author make on a novel? $.50 per book sold or some such formula? I'm just looking for an average range. What if the book sells 100k, and what if the book sells 1 million copies?

TIA

 

[oncewaslost]

all i know is that they don't get paid much. they usually have another job as well

 

[Lucubratus]

If the industry hasn't changed too much since the last time I knew about it - author's get paid a percentage per book on hardback and then the percentage might increase or decrease (depending on success) with paperback. Last time I looked into that, and it was years ago - the perentage was 4%. I also recall they were paid in a quarterly fashion
It's changed, some publisher's now have what they call "bids" where if many companies want that book - they'll do like an auction and the writer gets to choose the sweetest deal. It's happened to previously unpublished writer's as well.
Had one instructor told me not to bother with an agent at all until your book is accepted and then CALL - not write, to have them negotiate your contract.

Many variables, it all depends.

 

[RhetorTheo]

I read a link that authors get 10% on hard covers and 6-8% on paperbacks sold. Is that still true?

http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/get_paid.htm

 

[Lucubratus]

Looks like the percentage went up a bit lol That's more than likely true, dependant on if it is small press or not

I've found one of the most reliable sources on the industry to be writer's digest - they cover everything besides Children's books; which different types of non-fiction or fiction can vary when she wrote about flat-fee's and royalties. Say for instance, Tor Publisher - they will offer an advance, but a magazine is generally flat fee per word.

Every year they publish a Writer's Market - a very massive book on the industry and you should be able to find last year's edition available for check out at a local library, and the new edition available as a reference.