Free EBooks as Marketing Strategy? Joyce Magnin Got Me -- Now I'm Buying Her Books.

Who doesn't like a freebie, especially in today's economy?  Well, I know that I do.  Several times during the week, I'll check the Top 100 Kindle Free EBooks list.  Sometimes I grab one or two; sometimes, there's nothing there that I want. 

You might find more (or less) than I have.  Most of the books on the Top 100 Free list at Amazon's Kindle Store are highly rated, I'm just not interested in more cookbooks right now, for example.

Here's the thing.  I've noticed that some authors are smart enough to drop one of their books into the "free" section of the Kindle store for a short time period.  Not that long, but long enough.

Like Joyce Magnin. 

I discovered her in the Kindle Free Top 100, and now I buy her books.  That's right:  I buy them.  Authors, agents, and publishers take note.  I spend money because she's giving me a good read, and I admit I like the fact that she started out by giving me something. 

How does that translate in bookseller lingo?  I'm on a book budget.  If I am choosing between one of Joyce Magnin's books and one of another author I like, and only have money in the budget for one book, then Joyce it is. 

I guess that I am more loyal to Joyce Magnin because I think she's more loyal to me? 

Libraries and EBooks. I Like 'Em. Will Hachette's New Test EBook Program Mean More Selection for Me? Maybe.

It's just plain sad, but I read all the time or maybe it just seems like it.  I don't choose between paperbacks or hard bound, or audiobooks or ebooks or even ebook readers (I've got a Kindle and a Sony Reader right now, and I'm coveting a new Kindle Fire).  I buy and I borrow, too.

Anything for a fix.

Which means that, yes, I know how to go online to my public library website in the dark of night when most people are asleep to get a couple of new reads.

It's so sweet, you should try it.  Just once won't hurt you.

What actually happens is that I'm escorted electronically from the San Antonio Public Library site to the Overdrive site (here is the link, I don't know if it works without manuevering through a library host site first, though).  From there, I choose which format I want (Kindle, ePub - heck I can get a selection of Adobe pdfs, too along with audio and video) and I can also hone my search to certain publishers, or awards, or subject/genre.

It was through this site that I've discovered Alison Weir and her Elizabethan Era works (good stuff) as well as some Agatha Christie short stories (this week, I'm all Miss Marple over Poirot, but that will revert by the end of the month, no doubt).

So, imagine my thrill when I open my MediaBistro news update this afternoon, and there's the headline from GalleyCat that Hachette is testing a new ebook pilot program for libraries.

More.  More for me.  Hands begin to involuntarily rub together .... 

Consider Hachette's Author List and drool along with me:

• Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin.  No "i" on the end, though I like his stuff, too.)
• Michael Connelly
• oh, heck.  There's much too much to type here, go read through the Big Names for your own book-loving self.

Now, those in the know will recall that Hachette did have its books available for e-readers and middle of the night borrowing a couple of years back, but sadly pulled them back from libraries for I don't remember what reason.  It was obviously a Bad Call.

Thank the Lord, they've come to their senses.  

Now, the next big question I have:  how many of their publications are going to get ebook versions?  Yepper, that's the big question, isn't it? 


Well, that and WHEN.

Gimme, gimme, gimme.

Amazon's Stores, John Locke's Simon and Schuster Deal: Hints of the Future of Publishing?

Seems there are rumors that Amazon.com will be opening brick and mortar stores.  Exactly what the inventory would be sold there is the big question; eBookNewswer wonders about a place you would enter just to see what was available, but you wouldn't take the book home with you -- you'd order it.

Interesting, isn't it?  There's all those empty Border's stores ready to go, after all....

Meanwhile, John Locke has entered into a deal with Simon & Schuster where he has his indie book Wish List being sold as a mass market paperback by the publishing house - but Locke is shown as the publisher.  

Which apparently means that the publishing house has made a deal for its distribution channels and marketing abilities with traditional publication deal thrown in for the mass market paperbacks.  Telemachus Press will still be responsible for the actual printing of the ebooks, as they have been doing for John Locke for years now. (For more info, check out the comment from Claudia at Telemachus Press, below.)

So, we have Amazon moving into physical stores and one of the biggest indie authors making deals with a traditional publishing house - for distribution.

Looks to me that these are hints that the publishing industry is growing and changing, but that ways are being found to keep our beloved print books and the sanctuary that is the local book store alive and kicking while the boom of indie publishing is allowed to bloom.

At least I hope so.

The Big 6 in Publishing: Who They Are, and Why Their Days May Be Numbered

This month, Write it Forward's Bob Meyer interviewed Randy Ingermanson to discuss the impact of electronic publishing upon the Big 6 - and it's a good read, since they ponder things that seem suspicious, like the reported statistics about the number of ebook sales versus printed versions (hardback, paperback).  Am I the only one who thinks some of those numbers are fishy?  Nope. 

Another good read: last fall's panel discussion on the profitability of ebooks and how this impacts the Big 6, over at Publisher's Weekly.  Very nice info here on the ratio of profit to author versus profit to publisher in hardcover sales, wholesale ebook sales, agency ebook sales, etc. provided by Paul Aiken, executive director for the Authors Guild.  Especially interesting when you've been reading Joe Konrath's blog for awhile (see previous post). 

So, who are the Big 6? 

The Big 6 in publishing are the six North American publishing houses that make the most money, year in and year out.  Some of them are owned by even bigger powerhouses; for example, HarperCollins is owned by NewsCorp. (whose chairman of the board is Rupert Murdoch) (fyi, NewsCorp. owns Zondervan, the Christian publishing house, too).

As of February 2011, here are the Big 6 Publishing Houses (with links to their web sites): 

Hachette

Harper Collins

Macmillan

Penguin Group

Random House

Simon & Schuster.

 

Within each of these big conglomerates are a variety of imprints, whose names may be more familiar to you.  For example, Harper Collins imprints include (full list here) Avon, William Morrow, and Walden Pond Press.  To learn the complete listings of all the other imprints for the remaining Big 6, visit their sites (linked above). 

Blog Recommendation: A Newbie's Guide to Publishing

If you are curious about self-publishing, or if you're wondering how successful anyone might be rebelling against the traditional publishing model, then you must read Joe Konrath's blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. 

Must. Read.

Not only does Mr. Konrath share his personal experiences - including his financial details - but he also welcomes guest posts by other authors who have their own tales to tell.  People like Lee Goldberg.

Great stuff, if you're any kind of maverick.  Absolute manna from Heaven if you're writing something that you want to have published, and you'd like to make more than a nickel per copy (and maybe avoid all that book signing mess, too). 

Go read it here.

"The Value of a Book" - CEO Panel Discussion from BookExpo America on Book TV Available Online

Today, there was a great panel discussion on CSPAN2's BookTV that's available in its entirety online at the BookTV site.  Brought together to discuss "the Value of a Book," some of the biggest in the publishing industry gathered together to talk about the future of books and book publishing.  Including author compensation.

There were talks about the Cloud.  There were talks about making books more enticing, and mention was made of the vellum used in the new Steve Martin novel that's coming out in the fall entitled An Object of Beauty.  We're to expect a very physically beautiful book here, according to the panel.  But will that help sell the contents? 

Scott Turow made a point that I've been thinking for years now: why did the ebook get introduced as a simultaneous product with the newly released hardback?  Readers expect paperbacks to follow months after the hardback, why not follow a similar path for the ebook?  Good question, I think.

Panel Members - Cream of the Crop

Brick and mortar bookstores were represented here, as well as agents, authors, publishers, etc.:

1. Jonathan Galassi - President, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2. Bob Miller - Group publisher, Workman Publishing and founder of Hyperion
3. Esther Newberg -  Executive Vice President, International Creative Management (literary agency)
4. Skip Prichard - President and CEO, Ingram Content Group Inc. ( book wholesaler)
5. David Shanks - CEO, Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
6. Oren Teicher - CEO, American Booksellers Association
7. Scott Turow - author, attorney, president of Author's Guild

Was a Consensus Reached?  No.

No definitive answers were found.  It was nice to hear what appeared to be genuine concern for paying writers what they're worth for the work that they do. 

Go listen.  It's fascinating and important, whether you're a reader or writer.

New Penguin "eSpecials" from Penguin tying Hardback with E-Book updates

Starting with the debut of Alan Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence in paperback, Penguin is offering an e-book in tandem with the paperback release.

Penguin is marketing them as "eSpecials."

As an example, the Greenspan e-book is based upon the original work's epilouge, and it's my understanding that this e-book will be periodically updated, to address future changes in our fluctuating economy.

Check out all the details over at Penguin's blog -- New "eSpecials" from Penguin Marks a First in eBook Publishing.

With our economy being what it is, looks like there may be a lot of "e-book specials" for Mr. Greenspan ....

Amazon Publishing Great 4 Writers?

Forbe's Sramana Mitra has some very interesting perspectives on Amazon.com's potential to help authors in the long run.

Mitra points out such things as:

Currently, book at $24.95, author receives around $1 -1.50 per book. If Amazon is acting as retailer, marketer, publisher and agent, taking 65% of the book, then author would get 35%.

Same book at $24.95: author gets $8.73 per book.

Lots of discussion of Amazon looking at vertical integration, pointing to BookSurge (see post over at Writer/Lawyer for more on that deal) ...

...best news from her article (emphasis added):

"Over the next few years, Amazon likely will use its power to build direct relationships with authors and gradually phase out publishers and agents. It will first go after the independent print-on-demand self-publishers and get the best authors from that world. Amazon will then take on the large publishers."


Makes that Amazon self-publishing company even more interesting to ponder ....

Great Avon Info from Jordan Summers

From Jordan Summer's blog, citing Cindy Myer's newsletter:

"The Spotlight on Avon was a lively session with a lot of information. The spotlight was presented by Lucia Macro, Executive Editor for Morrow/Avon; Mai Chen, Editor, Tessa Woodward, Editorial Assistant, and another editorial assistant whose name I did not catch. Senior Editors Lyssa Keusch and Erika Tsang were not present, but they also acquire for Avons romance program. In the core romance program, Avon publishes four historical and one contemporary romance each month. They also publish various lead titles and trade paperback fiction monthly. Theyre looking for 90,000 to 100,000 word manuscripts historical, contemporary, paranormal, romantic suspense, chick lit and womens fiction, multi-cultural and erotica.

"The spotlight on Avon is courtesy of Cindi Myers Newsletter.

"Lucia Macro primarily focuses on Avons established, lead-level authors but she does acquire some books from new authors. The perfect book for her is a sexy, emotional story with great dialogue and an amazing author voice. She wants lively, interesting, vibrant characters who are pro-active no wimps allowed.

"In historicals the editors are still primarily interested in 1800s English and Scottish settings and medievals, except for historical erotica, in which any setting goes. In romantic suspense they prefer dark, gritty stories. For contemporary romance, Avon is moving away from romantic comedy. The editors would like to see meaty stories that may have comic moments, but with depth. Erica Tsang has a special love for paranormal romance of all types. Avon is also very interested in African-American romance, either historical or contemporary.

"Mai Chen spoke about the Avon Red program. Avon Red publishes one erotic romance each month in trade paper. Theyre looking for romance-driven erotica with a strong emotional under-current. Books may be historical in any time period, contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, urban fiction and either short stories or full-length novels. 25,000 - 40,000 words for short stories, 80,000-90,000 words for novels.

"Avon does accept unagented material. Authors must query via email first to avonromance@harpercollins.com. Put Query in your subject line and in the body of the email indicate any particular editor youre interested in submitted to. The two editorial assistants review all the email and they offered a list of Dos and Donts for authors:

"Do proofread very carefully.
"Dont send the same query over and over send it once. You will get an answer.
"Do research. Make sure the person youre querying and the imprint youre interested in actually exist.
"Dont query for poetry or YA. Avon romance does not publish these.
"Do query in your query explain what your story is about.
"Dont argue with the editors if youre rejected.
"Do follow up if you havent heard anything in four weeks.
"Dont follow up the next day.
"Do be original.
"Dont have a plot twist solely for the sake of a plot twist.
"Dont get discouraged.

"In May 2007 Avon will launch Avon Inspirational, publishing Christian inspirational romance. The line will be handled out of Avons San Francisco office but interested authors may query to avonromance@harpercollins.com and the query will be directed to the appropriate editor.

"Avon Fan Lit is a new online venture in which authors compete to write a collaborative e-books. Avon editors will create six story lines and participants will vote for their favorite. Once the story line is selected, participants submit a chapter each week and everyone votes on the best chapter. The top ten vote-getters go to a final vote. Each week starts a new chapter. Winning authors are profiled on the site and will win prizes. The final product will be published as an e-book. The project launches August 23rd. You can sign up now at Harpercollins Avon Fan Lit

"St. Martin's spotlight was interesting. They broke down the levels of promotion that they put into new and established authors. What I found interesting was the fact that they seem to be the only publishing house that puts a lot of emphasis on promotion. They have one person who deals strictly with Wal-mart, another for Amazon, and even another for independent sellers. They have programs in place to reward retailers for supporting new authors. It's truly impressive.

"Now to what they're looking for...Monique Patterson wants stories that have lively worlds. She's not the only editor stressing world-building. Many publishing houses mentioned the lack of world-building in the submissions they're receiving lately. She's looking for books that are funny, sexy, or scary. She's particularly interested in paranormal, women's fiction, and erotic romance. She said she loves fairytales and classic stories. Jennifer Enderlin is on the hunt for a super sexy western romance. The language in the above books can be extreme as long as it fits the story. (Again, something I heard from a lot of publishers.) Jennifer, Monique, and Rose are all looking for historicals and literary fiction. They prefer settings before 1900. They said everything after that date is hard to market and would probably be placed under historical fiction, not romance. They love recurring characters (ie Stephanie Plum series) They're interested in Romantic Suspense, Action/adventure, Multi-cultural, and even YA. They said if you're writing YA that it should be aimed at ages 15+. They said you can submit anthologies, but mainly they come from in house. If you do choose to submit an anthology, please make sure the book stays in the same category (ie paranormal, romantic suspense, contemp, historical, etc.). Don't jump around. The editors are also interested in literary fiction, but NOT sweet romance. They said right now there isn't a market for sweet romance, but they expect that to change.

"A few things to know about St. Martin's before submitting, they buy in multiple books because they believe in building a writer's career. They prefer book-length to be between 90-125,000 words. Erotica and erotic romances can be shorter than 90K, but they wouldn't like to see the books fall below 80K because then you're getting into category-length territory. They do NOT buy first time authors on proposal. You need to have a finished manuscript first. All editors except Monique Patterson prefer a query letter first. Monique said she can't tell anything from a query alone, so she wants people to send her a query, synopsis, and the first three chapters of the book. She said it takes around 2 months to hear back on a partial and 4 to 6 months to hear back on a full.

"Luna, Nocturne, and other paranormal lines spotlight. Apparently, Harlequin has several lines in what they call their paranormal stream. These lines include Nocturne, HQN, LUNA, MIRA, and BLAZE. Nocturne launches this coming Oct. with two titles per month. The books should be between 70-75,000 words and lean toward fantasy in the world-building. (They want the rich worlds that come from fantasy.) They're looking for shape-shifters, vampires, and hot alpha males with a twist. The books CAN be graphic. In fact they mentioned Angela Knight, Christine Feehan, and Laurell K. Hamilton as the types of books they'd like to see for the new line. They currently aren't interested in historicals, unless the historical part is used to tell a vampires' history. You can make up your own myths about the creatures in your world. They prefer darker books over comedy. The turnaround time is currently 3 months. Luna and Mira publish urban fantasy. Luna's emphasis is on the fantasy part of the equation. They don't care whether there's sex in the books. They are willing to look at sexier books as long as the plot is strong and incorporates the sex.

Inspirational Romance - Growing Readership Per Publishers' Weekly

Robin Lee Hatcher provides the following information about writing inspirational romance (read that to be Christian romance):

"According to Publishers Weekly (11/21/05), Romance novels have a 39.3% market share, General Fiction 12.9%, Mystery/Thriller 29.6%, Science Fiction 6.4%, and Other Fiction 11.8%. (In paperback mass market, romance has about a 55% share of the market.)

"CBA/Christian fiction falls, I believe, into that "Other Fiction" category.According to SIMBA Information (a Bowker company that is "widely recognized as the leading authority for market intelligence and forecasts in the media industry"), the Romance category was estimated at $1.7 billion in sales in 2004. IPSOS (another marketing research firm) reports that Inspirational Romance had $54.5 million in sales in 2004. While it represents only 3.2% of the total market, Inspirational Romance has grown 26% in the last five years compared to only 5.3% for the whole Romance category."

Robin Hatcher should know. She's an accomplished writer of over 56 books in both the Christian and secular arenas. As Robin explains,

"I cut my writing teeth in the historical romance market, publishing 27 general market historicals and three contemporary "category" romances before I followed my heart to write novels with Christian faith as an integral part of the story. As of this date, I've had 17 CBA releases with two more to follow in early 2006. Of those 19 CBA books, twelve would be categorized as romances (historical and contemporary). The other seven, more issues-related women's fiction, still have dashes of romance in them."

What is inspirational romance? A librarian at the Durham County library made a reading list of 24 novels she felt exemplified this sub-genre in November 2000. However, recent guidelines provided by publishers Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing are more informative.

Accordingly, I've posted their inspiration lines below, with the publishers' descriptions of the various lines and jumps to the guidelines.

Steeple Hill

Steeple Hill Cafe - "This new sub-brand within the Steeple Hill Women's Fiction program will be dedicated to publishing inspirational fiction for the hip, modern woman of faith. This distinctively smart and spirited new line of books will depict the unique and varied situations women encounter as they learn important lessons about life, love and the power of faith. "

Steeple Hill Love Inspired - "The Love Inspired line is a series of contemporary, inspirational romances that feature Christian characters facing the many challenges of life and love in today's world. Each story should have an emotional, satisfying and mature romance; however, the characters should not make love unless they are married. These are "sweet" romances. Any physical interactions (i.e. kissing, hugging) should emphasize emotional tenderness rather than sexual desire."

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense - " This new sub-brand within the Love Inspired line is a series of edge-of-the-seat, contemporary romantic suspense tales of intrigue and romance featuring Christian characters facing challenges to their faith…and to their lives.
Each story should have a compelling mystery or a suspenseful situation threatening the hero and the heroine combined with an emotional, satisfying and mature romance; however, the characters should not make love unless they are married."

Steeple Hill Women's Fiction - "This new Steeple Hill program will be dedicated to publishing inspirational Christian women's fiction that depicts the struggles the characters encounter as they learn important lessons about trust and the power of faith. We are looking for compelling and thoughtfully developed stories that promote strong family values and high moral standards. These complex stories are character driven. They should provide readers with an uplifting and satisfying ending, and they can be written in the first- or third-person narrative and can be single or multiple point of view."

Barbour

Heartsongs Presents -- "The main element of a Heartsongs Presents inspirational romance is the sweet love story. A very close second is the inspirational theme and content. All manuscripts in the Heartsongs Presents inspirational line should present a conservative, evangelical Christian worldview. "

The Perspective of an Acquisitions Editor

The only acquisitions editor that's talking to writers out there on the web, at least that I can find, is Terry Whalin at The Writing Life. Since an acquisition editor is the key player in buying my book, I definitely want to hear what he has to say. And Mr. Whalin explains a lot ....

From this week's entries:

An itemization of the "big six" in publishing, along with their imprints (i.e., subsidiaries).

His perspective on agents, and how to find a good one.

A tremendous recommendation for the landmark book, On Writing Well by William Zinsser.

A discussion of the use of longer magazine articles as a springboard for a book proposal - with recommendations to look for these articles in O Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, and the New Yorker. The evolution of Janice Latus's article "All the Wrong Men," from magazine article in O to book proposal to Simon & Schuster's win of a resulting bidding war is referenced.

A lengthy discussion on how few books succeed - and how few proposals make it to book form, prior to that - that somehow leaves you less than depressed. In fact, if you're confident in your work and your vision, it's really rather encouraging.

And, yes, he's written a book, as well. It's called Book Proposals That Sell.

If you're writing for the love of writing, I don't suppose that this stuff means much to you. But my dream is more than that -- I want to see my work bound and shelved in a Barnes & Noble, as trite as that might be. And, that means I have to understand the publishing business, like it or not. Mr. Whalin's efforts to help me in that endeavor are very much appreciated. So much so, I thought I'd share them with you ....

Romance Royalties Revealed

I think it's smart to put any snobbery aside (you know who you are) and recognize that lots and lots of readers are out there, choosing romances -- because these books give them something. And I predict that sales of romances are going to continue to increase, maybe even skyrocket, as the economy gets tighter and tighter, and the media keeps up its Fear Campaign (It's Y2K, the end of the world! It's Global Warming, the end of the world! It's terrorist attacks, the end of the world! And, now, currently -- it's the avian flu, the end of the world! The sky is falling!)

So, let's talk numbers here. Romance writers are a helpful, friendly bunch (see PBW, for example). Two successful authors (read that: earns living by writing, no day job) have both shared the wealth, so to speak, in recent postings.

First, Brenda Hiatt keeps track of the bottom line over at her website, under the tagline "Show Me the Money!" And, as of the date of this posting, her survey showed:

Publishing House/# of titles included

Avalon.............................................................................................................17
Average advance (first book): $1000
Average advance (subsequent books): $1000
Advance range: $1000 - $1200
Standard royalty percentage: 10%
Average earn-out: $1200 Range: $1000 - $2100

Avon/HarperCollins ...........................................................................................55
Average advance (first book): $13,500
Average advance (subsequent books): $26,500
Advance range: $3500 - $100,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: $26,000 Range: $7000 - $100,000

Baker/Revell.....................................................................................................3
Average advance: $10,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8% (of net)
Average earn-out: n/a

Bantam/Dell....................................................................................................10
Average advance (first book): $7500
Average advance (subsequent books): $13,500
Advance range: $7500 - $25,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

Barbour & Co. (Heartsong Presents).......................................................................7
Average advance (first book): $2600
Average advance (subsequent books): $2700
Advance range: $2500 - $2800
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: $2750 Range: $2500 - $3600

Barbour & Co. (Novellas).....................................................................................7
Average advance (first book): $1000
Average advance (subsequent books): $1000
Standard royalty percentage: 2.5%
Average earn-out: n/a

Berkley/Jove "line" books...................................................................................33
Average advance (first book): $4600
Average advance (subsequent books): $5875
Advance range: $3,200 - $8,500
Standard royalty percentage: 4% - 8%
Average earn-out: $6,500 Range: $3,200 - $10,000

Berkley/Jove (single title)..................................................................................7
Average advance (first book): $7000
Average advance (subsequent books): $12,500
Advance range: $6000 - $30,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6% - 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

BET..............................................................................................................6
Average advance (first book): $2500
Average advance (subsequent books): $7600
Advance range: $2500 - $15,000
Standard royalty percentage: 4% - 6%
Average earn-out: n/a

DiskUs...........................................................................................................18
Average advance: none standard royalty percentage: 40%
Average earn-out: $25 Range: $0 - $130

Dorchester/Leisure.........................................................................................42
Average advance (first book): $1950
Average advance (subsequent books): $9600
Advance range: $1000 - $60,000
Standard royalty percentage: 4% - 6%
Average earn-out: $7,500 Range: $2,000 - $15,000

Dutton/Signet/NAL (single title)...........................................................................14
Average advance (first book): $8750
Average advance (subsequent books): $37,000
Advance range: $7500 - $85,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

Dutton/Signet (Regency)....................................................................................12
Average advance (first book): $3500
Average advance (subsequent books): $4000
Advance range: $3000 - $5000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $6000 Range: $3000 - $7500

Ellora's Cave ..................................................................................................95
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 40% of net / 37.5% digital / 7.5% print
Average earn-out: $2340 Range: $350 - $9000

Ellora's Cave (anthologies/novellas)......................................................................19
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: varies by number of authors
Average earn-out: $940 Range: $300 - $2300

Fiction Works....................................................................................................5
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 30%
Average earn-out: $150 Range: $0 - $350

Five Star/Thorndike (hardcover)...........................................................................6
Average advance: $1200
Standard royalty percentage: 10%
Average earn-out: $1275

Genesis...........................................................................................................6
Average advance (first book): $650
Average advance (subsequent books): $2000
Advance range: $500 - $2500
Standard royalty percentage: 6% ("of invoice")
Average earn-out: n/a

HardShell Word Factory.......................................................................................21
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 30%
Average earn-out: $185 Range: $25 - $475

Harlequin American..............................................................................................23
Average advance (first book): $4200
Average advance (subsequent books): $4800
Advance range: $4000 - $5500
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $10,000 Range: $7300 - $16,000

Harlequin Blaze......................................................................................................20
Average advance (first book): n/a
Average advance (subsequent books): $6200
Advance range: $4500 - $10,500
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $12,200

Harlequin Historical..............................................................................................42
Average advance (first book): $5000
Average advance (subsequent books): $6800
Advance range: $5000 - $15,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $13,700 Range: $6500 - $24,000

Harlequin Intrigue..................................................................................................24
Average advance (first book): $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $6000
Advance range: $3500 - $7000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $17,000 Range: $11,000 - $18,000


Harlequin Mills & Boon........................................................................................3
Average advance (first book): $2500
Average advance (subsequent books): $2500
Standard royalty percentage: 4-6%
Average earn-out: n/a

Harlequin Romance ...............................................................................................8
Average advance (first book): $2600
Average advance (subsequent books): $2800
Advance range: $2600 - $3000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: n/a

Harlequin Superromance......................................................................................43
Average advance (first book): $5000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5400
Advance range: $5000 - $6000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $24,300 Range: $10,000 - $58,000

Harlequin Temptation...........................................................................................51
Average advance (first book): $4100
Average advance (subsequent books): $5000
Advance range: $4000 - $10,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $13,700 Range: $11,000 - $18,000

HQN...........................................................................................................................2
Average advance (first book): $8500
Average advance (subsequent books): $10,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: n/a

Imajinn......................................................................................................................5
Average advance (first book): $25
Average advance (subsequent books): $85
Standard royalty percentage: 8 -10%
Average earn-out: $180

Kensington/Zebra..................................................................................................123
Average advance (first book): $3500
Average advance (subsequent books): $5500
Advance range: $1750 - $17,500
Standard royalty percentage: 6 - 8.5%
Average earn-out: $5200 Range: $2500 - $17,500

Kensington (novellas)............................................................................................14
Average advance: $4050
Advance range: $1000 - $9000
Standard royalty percentage: 2 - 2.5%
Average earn-out: n/a

Mira............................................................................................................................9
Average advance (first book): n/a
Average advance (subsequent books): $105,000
Advance range: $15,000 - $450,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

New Concepts Publishing.......................................................................................13
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 9.5% - 40% elec. 4% - 11% print
Average earn-out: $340 Range: $50 - $1100

Pocket.........................................................................................................................14
Average advance (first book): $16,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $24,500
Advance range: $7000 - $50,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

Red Dress Ink.............................................................................................................3
Average advance (first book): $12,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $15,000
Standard royalty percentage: 7 - 7.5%
Average earn-out: n/a

Renaissance E-books.................................................................................................4
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 27 - 40%
Average earn-out: $1300 Range: $400 - $4000

St. Martin's Press......................................................................................................23
Average advance (first book): $6300
Average advance (subsequent books): $14,700
Advance range: $4500 - $150,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: $25,600 Range: $6800 - $51,000

Silhouette Bombshell................................................................................................11
Average advance (first book): $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $8750
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: n/a

Silhouette Desire.......................................................................................................13
Average advance (first book): $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $9850
Advance range: $4000 - $15,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $21,100 Range: $17,000 - $28,000

Silhouette Intimate Moments..................................................................................14
Average advance (first book): n/a
Average advance (subsequent books): $5900
Advance range: $4000 - $7500
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $12,000 Range: $10,000 - $16,000

Silhouette Romance...............................................................................................56
Average advance (first book): $3750
Average advance (subsequent books): $4900
Advance range: $3,500 - $10,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $10,300 Range: $6,000 - $18,000

Silhouette Special Edition....................................................................................44
Average advance (first book): $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $8200
Advance range: $4000 - $12,000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $21,500 Range: $12,000 - $37,000

Steeple Hill (Love Inspired)..................................................................................61
Average advance (first book): $3400
Average advance (subsequent books): $4900
Advance range: $3000 - $7000
Standard royalty percentage: 6%
Average earn-out: $7700 Range: $5,000 - $18,000

Tor/Forge.................................................................................................................8
Average advance (first book): $13,300
Average advance (subsequent books): $17,250
Advance range: $8000 - $20,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

Treble Heart Books.................................................................................................6
Average advance: none
Standard royalty percentage: 15 - 35% print, 40% elec.
Average earn-out: $65 Range: $5 - $110

Warner.....................................................................................................................19
Average advance (first book): $7150
Average advance (subsequent books): $12,200
Advance range: $5000 - $34,000
Standard royalty percentage: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a

Zebra Regency.........................................................................................................14
Average advance (first book): $2000
Average advance (subsequent books): $2850
Advance range: $2000 - $4000
Standard royalty percentage: 4% - 6%
Average earn-out: $2500 Range: $2000 - $4000

And, from Alison Kent, a candid explanation of her personal experience and a brief education on royalties at her blog:

"The only books I get royalties on straight from the home office are my five Temptations published between 1996 and 1999. I signed with my agent in 1998 while she was at Writers House. That means I still get a statement through them covering my first three Blazes and my two Bouquets written as Michaila Callan. Everything else comes through Spencerhill Associates, the agency Karen established when she left Writers House.

"Harlequin releases all reserves against returns by the fourth royalty statement on a book, meaning by that time - two years or so after a book’s release (aka 4 six-month periods) - a book has pretty much earned out all of its North American sales. Many foreign sales $$ have come in by then, too. If there is no activity for a period, then there is no statement issued. Reissues and foreign sales are what keep a book alive.

"The only statements I received in this packet were for my first and fifth Temptations as they were the only ones with any activity in this period (Jan 2005 - June 2005). I thought the differences in the earn-outs were interesting.

"FOUR MEN & A LADY, published in October 1999, has earned $13,109.88 to date - and I happen to know it was the #1 bestselling Temptation that month. That number includes North American (US and Canadian) sales, as well as sales in the UK, Australia, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, Brazil, Latin America, and Korea. This royalty period, believe it or not, I sold 795 copies in Spain for royalties of $34.15. *gg*

"CALL ME (7/96) is a different story. The royalties this period were for the reserves of the mail order reissue in May 2003 - 2850 copies for royalties of $346.12. The foreign sales on this book were to the UK, Australia, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and Latin America. The book has earned a total of $21,495.09. (Note: It’s taken 9 years to earn that amount, while the advance on my fourth single title (not #’s 1 - 3!) was more than that.)

"I hate to be all about the $$$$, but when this is my only real income, I have to be. But what I wanted to point out was the decline in individual book income from 1996 to 1999 to the tune of $8300+. Yes, I know. Not all books will perform the same, except when those books are in a category line, they tend to be a lot closer than that! If authors across the board experienced the same, I have to say the signs for Temptation’s demise were there for quite awhile.

"Now I’m anxiously waiting for the money from both agencies to arrive, (and for Kensington royalties which I think arrive around year’s end)! Of course, I’m not expecting much this go round from HQ. This royalty period cut off in June, and KISS & MAKEUP wasn’t released until August. My last HQ publication was MOTHER, PLEASE! in May 2004. Next year should be better!"