Quote:
Originally Posted by arjaybe
Has anyone crunched these numbers:
A new author getting published through the conventional means and making money, relative to
A new author self-publishing and making money?
|
Well, it depends on that author. Here is an example:
If a self-pub sells 1,000 books @ 2.99 on Amazon with they take home $600-$700 gross. If they sell 1,000,000, they take home $600,000-$700,000 gross.
If a trad pub author does that they take home 0 until they have earned out (as I understand it), if they ever earn out, then they take home probably around $50-$100 (for 1,000) and $50,000 to $100,000 (for a million). (rough statement - not based on first hand knowledge - need a fact checker on this one)
So while I do not know all facts about trad contracts here, I am very sure that the 70% gross take home of the self-pub blows away any take home of event the biggest names in trad pub.
Something else to consider. Once my book is ready (back from my professional editor, has cover art, and etc), its 12-48 hours before it is for sale - EVERYWHERE as ebook. Paperback hits Amazon in a couple days - and a few weeks later is available for order at all retail chains. The trad pub authors I have spoke with say, the lead time is more like 6months to a year. That is lost time, and lost sales.
There are advantages to trad pub (esply in marketing, and shelf space) but those are eroding. Its a great time to be part of the market, the wild ride is sure to continue a few more years at least...