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Originally Posted by Timboli
So lets say the author writes a book and wants $5 in return.
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More likely with what I read, the author writes a book proposal. The publisher than buys the proposal and receives an advance. The author, with assistance from a great many other people, who will be credited in the acknowledgements, then takes two years to write it.
Most likely, the author doesn't sell enough copies to receive royalties.
And, most likely, the publisher loses money on the book.
Some years, not every year, there will be a few books that sell so well as to make back the money on all the losers.
I've just given you a research non-fiction model, since that's mostly what I read. Fiction is different, but not totally. The value the publisher gives is to fund research, improve manuscripts, and to reduce some of the great economic risks inherent in being an book author. If you don't find value in that, buy indie. If you do find value in that, but don't find value in being about to adjust the font size, wait a few years and buy a used paper copy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timboli
Everything has a base price, how else do you determine profit? How do you make enough money to cover costs and pay royalties etc?
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You seem to be thinking that under normal circumstances, the publisher can set a price that almost guarantees a profit. That sounds like what happens when someone creates a platform where anyone can put out a book of any quality for the public. It doesn't sound like what any publisher whose books I read does.