what is the contract amount for first time novelists?

Answer 1

Hi there. I'm a published fantasy author. My latest hard cover book, THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY, is a medieval fantasy epic with lots of mysticism, magic and mayhem.

This book took about 3 years to write and another 2 years to get published. It has been reviewed very highly in the mainstream media and is being considered for a movie production.

You asked about contract information. The spectrum for that runs from the sublime to the ridiculous. Some publishers pay very small advances while others pay astronomical amounts. For a first timer, you shouldn't expect much--perhaps as little as a $1,000. However, that's good news and bad news. Remember, we're talking advance money, which means you have to earn all of that back before you see another dime from your publisher. The more you get up front, the longer it takes to get the next check.

Keep in mind, too, that publishers these days DEMAND perfect manuscripts. If your work is full of errors, you can forget it. It's tough enough to make a buck with books and that's why publishers are so picky. And it all takes time. Figure on 3 years from when you first start shopping your book around until you see it in print (assuming it's good and you can find an agent to rep it.) But hey, what's 3 years? Trust me, it's WORTH it when you hear, "Your book is like Braveheart meets the Lord of the Rings," which a Hollywood producer just said to me a few days ago.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your writing.

Jon F. Baxley
[e-mail]

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Answer 2

That depends on the type of book and the skill with which it is written, the market that the publisher expects for it, the deal that your agent can make for you.