A Publisher Pays You, You Don't Pay A Publisher

Just remember that a publisher pays you, you don't pay a publisher. If you ever come across a publishing company that says something like, "For $500, we'll do all this for you," then it's a scam and I wouldn't go anywhere near that.

If you do want to see your book in print, use Lulu. I've had a great experience with it and the Literary Journal. If you don't want to, you don't have to pay them a dime except for the purchase of the book itself, which is usually no more than $15. However, for $50, they'll go ahead and handle all the ISBN, copyright, and distribution stuff for you. By distribution, I mean they'll send it to have it posted on almost all major online book stores (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.).

So if you really, really want to see your book in print, go to Lulu or any other site that doesn't make you pay them. If the publisher is asking you to make a deposit, then it's a scam.

I'll try to remember that when, [s]or if[/s], I ever get my novel done!

Thanks Nate

Nate =

---Jon---

But if you don't pay them, what do they get out of it? I'd have thought that a place where you have to pay sounds less suspicious than a place where it's free.

They get sales profits, etc....or a cut of it, anyway. That's how they get money.

Like Game Changer said, they only make money if you make money. They don't make money off of initially making a contract with you. Same thing for agents. They get a percentage of the books income, and nothing if your books doesn't sale. (I believe?)

So it's nice! Their goal is to make money, and they don't make money unless your book gets sold.

Do they have a website?

Who, Lulu? Certainly. www.lulu.com

If you're talking about someone else... I dunno. XD

-:pirate3:

Saint Razorblade wrote:Who, Lulu? Certainly. www.lulu.com

If you're talking about someone else... I dunno. XD

-:pirate3:

lol
Thanks.

That's for self-publishing though... getting published is a completely different (and scarier) ballpark.

Some companies will give you an advance on your royalties after you sign the contract.

*caps*

DO NOT SPEND THE ADVANCE!

*End caps*

If your book doesn't sale, most companies make you give back the advance if your book doesn't sale. Part of that whole they don't make money unless you make money thing.

I'm pretty sure a publisher can't ask for the advance back. After all, the entire point of an advance is that you're getting money up front, regardless of how well your book actually sells.

Are you sure you're not getting confused with the whole 'they won't start paying your royalties until they've made back all the money they gave you in the advance' thing?


(Of course, I could be entirely wrong.)

Hmm...thanks. I'll look out for those kinds of companies.

I've considered self-publishing. I'm still unsure, I wouldn't be able to hold down another job with that work.

I think it's more rewarding to be actually published...they say a writer's goal is to paper his bathroom with rejection slips.

If you're in high school, this is your opportunity to get legitimate recognition! High school is one of the best times to get money for your writing. I've won almost $600, part of it in a scholarship, through my own efforts submitting to local and national contests. It's very rewarding. And I'm going to finally be published outside of my high school literary magazine...admittedly, in a small Canadian mag, and all I'll be paid is a contributor's copy, but who cares? It's very special.

I think Sureal's right; a publisher can't ask for that advance back. But, if you ever get published, read the contract! I'm sure that Adam is right as well and that some publishers write into the contract that they can ask for the advance back.

Anyhow, Snoink is right, this is just for self-publishing, which isn't something I entirely recommend either. Cade hits the bullseye with the rejection slips comment.

In some cases, though, self-publishing may be more appropriate. After all, if you write a book about your family history, chances are that only your family will be interested.

Is self-publishing sort of like the last resort for the desperate writer? Will a self-published book never see a bookshelf?

It's amazing how little I know about the world I want to be in...