have an offer...now what - Writers Forum

steph804 · 03-15-2008, 10:58 PM

I am hoping to get some help here....

I have gotten an offer from a publishing co to prublish a "journal" type book I have written. I am totally NEW to this and have no idea if their terms are good or bad?

Can anyone offer any suggestions or advise??

Thanks
Steph

valeca · 03-15-2008, 11:14 PM

That's a very broad question to try to answer.

What's the name of the publisher?

Tiamat10 · 03-16-2008, 12:38 AM

You could always try getting an agent...

I agree with valeca. Too broad to answer, really.

Crow · 03-16-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steph804

their terms are good or bad?

Steph, if you're a newly published writer you're more than likely going to have to accept whatever terms you're given. Count yourself fortunate you've been given a given a chance at all when there are thousands clamoring for theirs.

I don't know what kind of material you're publishing, or what your target audience is, but do whatever it takes to get your stuff published properly to as many people as possible. Never sacrifice your integrity or your personal beliefs to anyone, no matter what kind of deal they are offering.

That being said, I agree with the former posters: It is a pretty broad question. What are you publishing, exactly? If you would add some detail to your query you'd no doubt get some answers that might help you.

What do you qualify as good or bad as far as terms go? That really depends on what you value most as a writer. Publicity? Fame? Money? Respect? Or just the gratification of seeing your work in published form? Ultimately you decide what happens with your work and how it is disseminated.

People write because they have something to say. What do you have to say? How will this offer further what you have to say? Will it spread your message or hinder it? It's really up to you.

steph804 · 03-16-2008, 09:47 AM

WOW - Thanks

the publisher is Running Press out of Philadelphia

The journal is a women's (with a men's being mailed in next week) journal, directed towards women maybe 18-60? It is a detailed diary of medical and personal health info. A place to record meds, tests, results, history etc.

I am waiting to hear back from one other company and have sent an email to let them know that I have a positive response from RP.

I am sorry, this is not a true "book", something you would sit and read, although there are stories writing, and suggestions in it.

I am not looking for fame and fortune, but I don't want to accept something and then find out that I was taken. I got my response in a little under 5 weeks so I have the impression that it is a good idea????

My head is spinning!!!!

Thanks
Steph

Non Serviam · 03-16-2008, 09:51 AM

Are they asking you for any money? If the answer is "yes", do not deal with them.

Are they purchasing "all rights" ? If the answer is "yes", tell them you offer First North American Serial Rights but you will keep the copyright yourself.

Are they offering payment as a rate per word or royalties?

steph804 · 03-16-2008, 10:06 AM

they did not ask for money. "I am pleased to make you the following offer for this project: $2000 advance against a royalty rate of 4% of amounts received up to 20,000 units sold and 5% of amts rec'd thereafter, for World rights (all alnguages), with 50/50 splits on sub-rights."

And then that they are looking forward....if I find everything acceptable.

Non Serviam · 03-16-2008, 10:09 AM

You need to make telephone contact with a reputable literary agent at once.

Tell them: "Hi, I'm holding an unsigned publishing contract for $2,000. Can you help me?"

When they bite your arm off, send them the contract and have them deal with the publisher from now on.

steph804 · 03-16-2008, 10:21 AM

ok....now I have to research that!! I guess this is a little bigger deal than I had expected? Any suggestions on where to find an agent? I am getting the impression that their offer is probably not acceptable and they iknow how new I am to this?

Are they purchasing "all rights" ? If the answer is "yes", tell them you offer First North American Serial Rights but you will keep the copyright yourself.

What does that mean to me? Should I look at getting the ISBN # myself and file with the copyright office?

Again --- THANKS

Non Serviam · 03-16-2008, 12:24 PM

Don't worry about ISBNs or copyright. If these folks were going to steal your intellectual property, they wouldn't have offered you a contract. The ISBN is for them to arrange (and pay for). Ignore those things.

On the matter of an agent, read this: P&E: Literary Agents

Take careful note of all the warnings. (Many do not apply to you--you already have a manuscript sold). Then select a reputable agent from the list published on that site. Expect to pay them a commission in the order of 15%.

Get your agent to explain the matter of rights to you, but in brief: "First North American Serial Rights" are the rights to be the first person to publish the work in North America. "First World Serial Rights" are the rights to be the first person to publish the work across the whole globe. With "First World Serial Rights" you retain ownership of the copyright, but can't sell them to another publisher yet.

4% is what I get on my own non-fiction stuff.

$2,000 is probably a roughly average advance for a first-timer with a novel-length work, although there is considerable variation. There will probably be details in the contract that your agent will re-negotiate on your behalf.

Cran · 03-16-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Non Serviam

4% is what I get on my own non-fiction stuff.

$2,000 is probably a roughly average advance for a first-timer with a novel-length work, although there is considerable variation. There will probably be details in the contract that your agent will re-negotiate on your behalf.

yep, that's about right, and suggests that this is a fair company to deal with (ie, not rip-off merchants or scammers) ...

congratulations on getting the offer, steph804 ...

Eli Cash · 03-16-2008, 02:06 PM

Congrats!

steph804 · 03-16-2008, 03:13 PM

Awesome...you really are the best!!!

I think I mentioned this before, but I did send an email to another publisher that I had actually spoken to, and hopefully I will hear from him soon. Either way I will hopefully get this moving forward and not make too many mistakes.

Let me know if you comeup with any other suggestions or advise!!

Steph

Non Serviam · 03-16-2008, 04:25 PM

You're welcome. Best of luck.

Go read people's work and critique it to help them follow in your footsteps.

steph804 · 03-17-2008, 09:30 AM

Thanks everyone.

I hope this works out, I'll let you know as it progresses and of course will probably be looking for more tips etc.

STeph