Topic: Any pro writers out there?

(also posted at the GN)

Well, I'm seriously thinking about writing a book now, a more general kind of book on the different aspects on design. Not so much the graphical parts as all the surrounding things. It's more of a big expansion on this one that I'm writing right now.

So why am I asking you about this? ;-) Well, I thought that one of you might have some tips on how to go about this in the right sequence in order to get it published and paid for.

I've heard a lot of different ways to go, "write the book first, then send it out" or "write a chapter or two then ask if someone would like to publish a book like this".

Do you know anything about this stuff that might be useful?
The book will be in english and I'm guessing around 3-500 pages. If I can get reasonably paid I'm probably in a position where I could do this full time for a couple of months. On the other hand, I don't have a clue on what something like this might pay...

I'm thankful for any hints or tips in the right direction.

/Dan


-{ a vibration is a movement that doesn't know which way to go }-

Hi Dan! Sorry I got so busy and didn't respond to you yet, but I can help. I'm more than a little bit swamped through thursday, when I gotta go to a big workshop for my client, present my shite and make a speech, woo! (Only 30 minutes, tough. Remember the words of Winston Churchill!)

I've got your mobile number, are you out and about today, it being a red day? If you're around, I could call you maybe about 3:00 or so if that's cool.

In the "how much can you earn?" category, some simple maths will give you an idea. Basically, any book comp/design publisher expects to seel a *minimum* of 10,000 copies, which for them is a bad book, barely break-even. Ideally you'd sell in the range of 30,000 copies, which starts to make things worthwhile. If you get a contract, you get money two different ways, an up front "advance", and a "royalty" based on sales. If you need a big advance, they want to give you less royalty points, and vice versa.

Let's assume you get a tiny advance, say $3000. For royalty you can hope for as much as 10%, but might get only 7% for a first book. This percentage is calculated on *half* the list price of the book, since that's what the publisher sell it for (to the bookstores.) So, the worst case, the book sells only 10k copies, you get only 7%, and let's say the book only costs $20. Basically, you've been screwed, all that time and work, you'll earn only $7000 royalties plus the $3000 advance.

At 30,000 copies sold, and a 10% royalty, you'll be doing much better, $30,000 plus the original $3000, now it seems almost worth all those months of work. If your book is a 'general' topic that will not go out of date you could end up being published for a few years, and make some good extra money for years to come.

Some books can sell 50k, 100k copies! Do the math, it can turn into a lot of money. (Don't count on this as a first time author, lots depends on how the publisher intends to market the book. They'd probably push a book by Laura Lemay more than they would yours.)

Most publishers offer their proposal guidelines online, try this page at New Riders http://www.newriders.com/about/write/ - I have contacts here with the acquisition editors, but you'll need to have one of these form thingies filled out. I used a *wild* presentation on my first pitch to them, they need that info, but they don't need it in MSWord boring format!

Your pal, -doc-

Thanx a lot for that doc!
The money aspect is interesting, it spans all the way from not being able to do it full time to doing very well indeed...
I'll go through the link you posted and I'll dig for similar info on the other big publishing houses.

As for calling me, well, since I've out of a job right now, call at any time, if it's on, I'm available I've left a msg on your mobile just now.
Not sure on which number you've got, but here is my relevant contact info.

Talk to you later/Dan



-{ a vibration is a movement that doesn't know which way to go }-