The Art of the Book Deal (and How Much Money You Can Expect)

[@Loud_Thinker]

There are so many monkeys in the jungle. Jungle called KZbin. Those who self published a few books and acting like a top literary agent, publisher, editor, best selling author all at once who spew imaginary "tips and tricks" on traditional publishing online. Your one video crushed them all in a few minutes in. Your video speaks volumes. Easy to tell how much "real experience" you have. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your expertise.

[@adrianswriting]

It's worth carefully checking what the publisher means by 'advance' and by 'royalties'. I was offered a publishing contract with advance and royalties for a western I'd written (following a request from the publisher), only to discover that their advance was tiny and it was in return for me waiving royalties on the first print run of the hardback and paperback versions of the book. I was only going to get royalties after that first print run was sold. I declined the contract. On the plus side, it was a useful piece of writing practice. I learnt a lot about plot structure, contrasting characters, emotional dynamics etc.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Excellent point about double checking the fine lines, thank you for sharing! I'm glad you're still able to take something positive out of the experience as well, and wish you the best with future endeavors!

[@ladybird491]

Everyone knows what you said, it sounds like you wanted to brag

[@rT-sc1wx]

​@ladybird491 I'm not seeing that at all.

[@Marci82]

Doesn't sound like they were bragging to me but if they were it would be ok. They should be proud. 🤷

[@chiepotente6765]

@@ladybird491 I didn’t know about what was said. I considered it a useful info.

[@vietto9726]

I works as a rights executive at a Vietnamese publisher and this video still enlightening me even though I worked in the publishing industry for nearly a year. Thanks a million for the useful comment, Alyssa!

[@Greed23]

Really interesting and clearly presented. Hopefully one day I'll have to come back to this for a refresher before a meeting with a publisher...

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thanks so much! I hope so too!

[@Vaerrh]

Best explanation of advance and graduated royalties I’ve heard. I can see the dynamics clearly now.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you! So glad you found this helpful. Royalties can definitely be tricky to navigate.

[@latashastewart-estelle1363]

Biggest thing missing in this video is the lack of the sales team input. The Sales Teams at major houses are instrumental in helping in the acquisition process and they weigh in on every book acquired.

[@Cassy858]

I'm glad I found your channel. Very honest and straightforward.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Welcome aboard!

[@terribuckner3256]

Thank you so much for the most comprehensive explanation. I just entered the last period on my first novel. Perfect timing!

[@JamesBPartridge]

Watching this in advance of a first book publishing deal meeting on Monday. Thanks so much!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Good luck with your meeting!

[@seacoastsis627]

Thank you for such a concise and helpful overview, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this background information! Just starting agent talks and it’s all new to me, so I feel a bit better now having some context.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful! I wish you luck on the querying process :)

[@EddyMerlyBorja]

i hope you revealed who the unicorn debut author was. and i wish there was a video on how the marketing deals work (especially influencer mktg., can you help out/have a set budget to do your own influencer outreach, etc.)

[@FreedomTV963]

Thank you for your time, energy, and information. The Universe led me to you, I needed to hear this. Had to listen to this multiple times, so I could meditate on your wisdom! I AM the exception, can’t wait to tell you about my 7 figure deal!!! #FirstTimeAuthor

[@hijklmnop42]

Honestly so helpful for someone who's curious and knows nothing about this world! Thank you!

[@natureschild53]

Definitely added more pieces to the puzzle. Very informative, thanks

[@girlscandrum22]

This has got to be the most helpful video I've ever watched. Thank you!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you for commenting!

[@autonomyllc9920]

You are a gem! Following you faithfully! ❤

[@TheEccentricRaven]

I'm so grateful for the information you share. I love how you share real facts on what to expect, honest and not sugar coated.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

I'm so glad you find it helpful! Thanks for the kind comment!

[@KarrGalaxyStudios]

Great Video! Curious about Intellectual property rights. After selling the book to the publisher does the author still retain the IP rights to world, characters and the content in the manuscript or are they giving that up like in the Film world. Also, what about Film option rights. Can the author turn around and sell or write the rights for the screenplay adaptation of the novel without interference from the publisher after the book has been published? Thanks again.

[@zenkiea9663]

Very good question! Following.

[@nickey3872]

Exactly the question I have.

[@jamesadams9647]

Everything is negotiable as they say. The publisher may get a split for some of the rights the author sells, since they did invest in the project and promote the initial release. I honestly think a publisher grabbing any rights outside of the American Printing is not fair to the author. With all the mergers, it would be hard like in the old days to get a super big deal for paperback rights. In the past, you sold the hardback rights, then had an avenue to earn more on PB. I understand a lot of times they try to grab those and audio and e-Book, and even foreign if they can for some low price. I would discuss the terms with your agent, then before I signed, I would even have my own show biz attorney look it over in my opinion.

[@thibautisserant]

There are essentially two types of rights when it comes to a creative work : Attribution and exploitation rights. Exploitation rights can be sold and are what you make money off as an author. They're the rights to sell the creative work, to expose it, to use it to make money. Attribution represent your status as the creator of the work. It means that your name can never be taken off the work and that you will always be mentioned as the creator. Regarding film rights and the such, they're a type of exploitation rights that is untouched by the publisher, in the sense that, as the holder of the attribution rights, you possess all exploitation rights de facto until you specifically sell them. And you sell to the publisher the exploitation rights regarding the book and only the book. Meaning that the film company will need to reach out to you to make a movie out of your work. They cannot go directly to the publisher for that, however the publisher can be involved in the negociations given that an adaptation will often change a few things in the story and the publisher needs to know if those changes can impact the image of the book and therefore, their image.

[@buckwhidden1]

Thank you for the wonderful video. I'm working on my first fiction novel, and I'm about 18k words in so far! I appreciate the entire overview and look forward to learning more about this business. :)

[@rebekahdavidhudson1934]

I just want to say: God bless you and THANK YOU for this information. This is incredible content, and I am so grateful for the value I find in your channel.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@skyylarr14]

I’m working on a novel that legitimately came to me in a dream 2 years ago and never left my head! Just in the last few months I’ve started actually writing it, and your videos really helped me clean some things up along the way :) I’ve always been great at English and loved writing. But never actually knew shit about writing 😂 with your guidance what was just a complication of loose ideas randomly flowing onto paper, are now properly structured and I feel like I really have a good foundation that will allow me to succeed! Well we shall see ;) i don’t knooow that first time author with a million dollar deal sounds pretty appetizing to meee fingers crossed 😎

[@drd_theSPORTSdoc]

I'm going for the sky high dream...* Thanks Alyssa, great video..,

[@rohanmullin2566]

I'm looking for a reputable publisher to publish my first ever book my first ever book about my journey of learning to walk again which took me two years of painful physio and I lost my company my wife my house and everything I own but other than that I'm. I appreciate your channel much love Rohan Mullin from Melbourne Australia Australia

[@ancientegyptandthebible]

I'm looking to get a literary agent for a series of novels I'm writing, and this was very helpful. I've been through the publishing process once for a non-fiction book and it's very different than the fiction industry. My contract didn't have "first consideration" clause. And my advance was much smaller than 5-figures, although I am happy to say that my book earned out.

[@LeilaHolley]

Just found your channel. Lots of valuable information here! Glad to see someone giving info on traditional publishing.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thanks so much, happy to help! Let me know if there are any specific topics you'd like to hear more about, would love to hear your ideas.

[@karzanmuhammed2362]

I am a Kurdish American and have worked as a Kurdish English translator and cultural advisor for the U.S. Military in Iraqi Kurdistan for more than ten years. I have finished writing a novel based on my experience with the U.S military in Iraqi Kurdistan and my life under Saddam Hussein's authoritarian regime. An editor is working on my manuscript, which will soon be finished. I need your advice regarding the publishing. Do you recommend self-publishing or traditional? I have good funds for advertising if I go with self-publishing. But few people recommend the traditional way. In 2004, I started working as a linguist with U.S. Military in my hometown, Kirkuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan, and then in 2008, I moved to The United States. In 2015, I became a U.S. citizen, and then I returned to Iraq again as a linguist and cultural advisor with the U.S. Military to fight against ISIS in Iraq. There is a good plot in the story. There are love, persecution, history, genocide, fighting against terrorists, and more in my story. Some of the stories are real, but the rest is fiction based on actual political events and situation.

[@fyrimamirosa]

I'm so happy to have discovered your channel, you are so lovely and helpful. Thank you for this treasure trove of information!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

I'm so glad!

[@careenmalahay9615]

Thank you so much for posting this video . I got a lot of valuable information about traditional publishing .

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Happy to help!

[@celticpridedrums]

wow, so overwhelming--I definitely will stick to self-publishing.

[@melvindodson6827]

this is great😢😢😢

[@Kevinsouth]

Excellent details. Thanks, Alyssa. But with so little paid to the author, this seems to make the case for self pub.

[@vikingtje._511]

Thank you so much for this information. Your videos are really helpful. I however do have a question, if you write a trilogy and let’s say a publisher publishes the first book, but they don’t like the second one. How does that work, do they want to switch from publishers or do they want a complete outline of the entire series before publishing anything at al?

[@nanajiloh]

They’ll want an entire series outline. Also-this is why serialized books can be a hard sell for a debut author.

[@elizabethl9886]

Usually you are supposed to just put out the first book, and it has to be a stand-alone book, but you give a brief mention of the others in the series. After publication, If they don’t want your second book, your agent will send it to other publishers, treating it like a new book (but now you have the first in the series published and if it did well, then it will be a lot easier to sell this one.) But also if the publisher does not like the second book, maybe there are adjustments required.

[@darknightofthesoul7628]

One clause I'd hoped to hear regards movie rights. As I write my memoir, I envision a film potential. Would a book publisher handle this, or more likely the agent? Great video!

[@ladyjatheist2763]

Wow, you do a fantastic job both keeping it real AND hopeful! Thank you!

[@isabellapresleyauthor]

Question about editing: do you as the author have any negotiation with the editor if you don't want to delete something out of your book that you feel strongly about? That's one thing I'm always afraid of with traditional publishing and why I self published because my debut novel is incredibly important and personal to me that I didn't want to have to take things out that to me felt important! What do you think?

[@keithmurphy3470]

Just curious if you plan on making a video about how to find beta readers or critique partners/the process overall? Would love your insight there!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

That's a great topic! I've put it on my list, thanks!

[@kaylabrawner9379]

yes!

[@thedoggeysuite6753]

Very informative, truly appreciate this page.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kimberlysanchez9737]

Was The Notebook, the novel with the million dollar advance? Is Larry Kirshbaum still active in the writing world??

[@UnWrapWJRap]

Great video!! Thank you. Currently writing a novel, similar to, but not mimicking Joe Abercrombie's "Best Served Cold." It seems that so far editing is nearly eternal. I did my best to turn off my internal editor and just write, and that's extremely hard for me. I'm ADD, a perfectionist, specifically with things I take interest in, and my attention to detail is higher than most because of my background and being exposed to many elements of abnormal and unique life experiences in the Marine Corps. As a retired Marine, I've seen some things the vast majority of people in the United States do not see in a lifetime. I'm more motivated than ever to write, and have some decent help with editing by those that give me honest feedback, not all applause and affirmations.

[@mateaukalua4426]

That's great man do you bro.

[@laurenchausse254]

Invaluable advice!! Thank you so much for taking the time to put your knowledge and experience out there for us!! So helpful and I’m very grateful🙏😇🤞💕📚

[@danprince9694]

I love your content, especially when you smile and express your enthusiasm!

[@artaris4300]

Hallo Alyssa 👋. Your video is very interesting and very important for me ❤❤❤. I am a writer and i am writing in Russian language. How do you think, have i any chance in the American publishing market?

[@gregoryhirsch4520]

I absolutely LOVE this channel! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for demystifying this industry for me and other budding authors!!

[@Marci82]

This is a phenomenal video.👍

[@AlyssaMatesic]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@Space_Writer]

These kinds of videos are very informative. Most of my knowledge of book deals come from the dialogue in TV and movie plots, so there's a lot of guesswork and incorrect conclusions that I came too.😅 Thanks for the clarification

[@ericbreau]

Great information Alyssa, thank you so much for these videos.

[@markkaplan2133]

Thanks, kid. Your videos are the best I have seen on this topic.

[@legalreefer4204]

What was that first novel that sold for so much? I’d love to read it

[@sveinnbenonysson5978]

Thank you so much. You're one of the best in here. So clarifying. Stay safe! :D

[@winterrenes1249]

Hello Alyssa, I just found your channel and it's amazing, thank you so much for all the transparent information. I do have a couple questions about the book deal and the contract. I'm an artist as well as a writer and my art depicts the world in my books. Would I be able to put it in the contract that my art can be on the book cover and work with their in house designer as a team to design the cover? Also, can I as a writer maintain certain rights, for example movie or video game rights, etc? Or will the publishers not sign if I want to maintain those rights and have my art on the covers? These are a huge deal for me and make me want to look toward self-publishing if the traditional publishers won't work with me. I created a company for my world and my art and I'd like to be able to sell my books on my online store as well. I'm not sure if publishers would be open to such collaboration.

[@Ruylopez778]

If you had a book deal and the publisher has first refusal rights on the next book, and you change agents, what happens then? Would the agent for the original book deal still be entitled to a percentage of the next book deal (as well the new agent), or it's a completely new deal with the same publisher, and the new agent?

[@markhill8]

Thanks

[@gordomctavish6599]

Does anything else get charged against your royalties besides the advance? i.e. can they subtract costs for "promotion" from your royalties or other such creative accounting?

[@craighamlin]

Very helpful information! I've self-published a few simple works, but working on my first non-fiction, self-help book. Thanks for the videos.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting and good luck with your book!

[@mtolivesecurityshipping5455]

Any advice on self publishing profits and how they differ from other print-on-demand services? Please answer?

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Great question! My channel focuses more on the traditional publishing industry, but I have a video with Nour Zikra, who is a self-published author: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qITdc4GhjblmedU Nour's channel is another great resource for writing and self-publishing tips, so please check her out as well! Here's a video she did on self-publishing and potential profits: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXXKY2qwmZyqgrc

[@seetar7934]

Great info. What is an average royalty %?

[@mosworld2851]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@djamburere]

This is just the info I was looking for! Thanks!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amarhamid8542]

Awesome- so helpful, so I need to find an agent now

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Best of luck!

[@grahampowell8757]

I recently discovered your channel and appreciate all the advice. Keep 'em coming! Thanks!!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad you find my channel helpful! Thanks for commenting!

[@JosephLubega-g4u]

Thank you for the very clear and authentic advice!

[@paulalansmart]

Great set of videos, I've only just found you so am likely your newest subscriber, your videos are informative and helpful, thanks for these.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Welcome, and thanks for subscribing! I'm so glad you find my content helpful!

[@ComicPower]

Thanks Alyssa. Your knowledge is so helpful

[@AlyssaMatesic]

So glad you find my content helpful. Thanks for commenting!

[@MrMong-wp5od]

You are great! All golden information!

[@mariek5309]

This video was so helpful! You answered so many questions that I couldn't find a good answer to anywhere else! Thank you so much for sharing! I was wondering what that last point you made would look like for a series - would the publisher retain the rights to the story as a whole or would it technically be possible to indie-publish book 2 of a series if the publisher decides not to publish more than book 1 of the story? Or is that something that heavily depends on the situation?

[@russellhirsch9198]

Great video! 🙏 Is dividing the advance into four payments rather than three a relatively recent development? I'm curious why publishers wait a year after publication to make that final payment. This is such an informative channel--thank you! 🖋

[@alexdon621]

Alyssa - Noble, and rational. It derives from alyssum, a medicinal flower thought to cure madness at one point in history

[@thibautisserant]

I did the math for fun and, in the case of a 40 000$ advance, you would retain 34 000$. Granted that you would score maybe a 10 000$ advance on your own if you're lucky, I'd say that's a pretty fair deal to have the agent give you a hand. (The 10 000$ are based on the advances I've heard off, in France where I'm living, with people who went on their own. While we do have literary agents, the occupation is not as spread out as in North America and a lot of author go through self-publishing or negociating on their own.)

[@TurboThunderGaming]

Nice informative video about traditional book deals, any info about co-finance deals? I sent my book to like 20 different swedish publishers and one of them answered back with a co-finance deal. Basically they want me to pay for everything so this whole 'advance' you talk about is instead me paying them (RIP), and the royalties were tiny. Is this normal or are every publisher in sweden scams? I declined the offer. Basically I would pay them 80K Swedish Crowns for publishing my book with next to nothing in return.

[@davekeaney338]

Thank you for the information. Do i need to copyright first? I did not see this addressed in the two videos I watched. I may have missed it.

[@zvw444x3zefa]

That was awesome. Thank you.

[@katerinalongoria9750]

I've always heard it looked bad if you don't earn out. Comforted to hear you say otherwise, but curious about how publishers manage to make a profit if the author doesn't earn out???

[@AlyssaMatesic]

This is exactly the same question I had! It honestly requires some detailed math in a spreadsheet. The profit obviously isn't as high as it would be if they earned out, and in some cases you're just breaking even, but it isn't a major loss like most people seem to think it is when you don't earn out.

[@TinieMassive]

This is a fantastic video!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Thank you so much - glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesduke2662]

Yes this helps. Thanks Alyssa

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for commenting!

[@benjaminsmart6276]

Useful and interesting. Thank you

[@Piratequeen010156]

you're so awesome!! this stuff is so insightful

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nilek3996]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@mel3687]

What about the reversion of rights clause? I hear horror stories of certain publishing houses retaining rights to books without even putting them in print (Harlequin etc) and authors often forewarn other aspiring writers to always ensure that there's some sort of reversion of rights if the book stops selling, to enable the author to buy back the rights to their book and distribute it through a different publisher. What does this usually look like in a book contract?

[@GregMelien]

Thank you for the very detailed description. I have owned 3 business in my life, two which were more service type, and my most recent which produces retail goods for sale in grocery channels. It is only this most recent business where I was introduced to using brokers and distributors. I'm assuming the book world is the same, that you won't get into a big publisher with out using a broker (agent). Would you agree with this?

[@crs7336]

Great information Alyssa thanks so much for making it so clear! One question I have is that I actually paid my publisher a sum of £2,500 before I found out they were a hybrid type of publisher. It's been a long road but my book is out online already and I think it's selling OK so far. But I am curious as to what my percentage is that they will work out my royalties after listening to your guidance. My first lot of royalties are predicted for 31st December so not long now, and I continue to write the sequel to the first book in the meantime. I don't understand how the publisher can take the lions share of the royalties when I contributed to the publication because I was a new author. Unless I have read the percentages the wrong way round 📖😁

[@thelaziestbee]

Intriguing! I'm wondering now how did it go?

[@m.ali2008]

We are thankful for very best information it is highly appreciate who is the best publisher please recommend a Best English novel publisher for a new writer thanks

[@robertmarsh5539]

Can you put out two books instead of one in a deal

[@borninprovidence2965]

I love that books get put it in the Risk Master. Let it rain! 😂

[@micahhirokawa]

I absolutely loved this video! If I’m ever so lucky to sell my book. If sold to the big 5 now big 4, as the author would I still be able to be part of that process to promote my book? What if I wanted to have it translated into another language and would like to promote it in another country? Could I make those suggestions? You’re the best!

[@frankbruno9499]

Very similar to film distribution deals. Watch out for "creative accounting".Get as much as you can up front in the advance.or if your lucky, guarantee because they are going to charge your royalties with launch parties,advertiseing,,tours,gifts for key reviewers,MISC. You will get it back on the next deal if the first one is a hit. Their tongues will be hanging out then, you stick it to them and ask for a bigger guarantee.It's OK, It's business.Greed is good!

[@danohanlon8316]

Need to know: is this comment box the place to ask questions or is there a different avenue? (I’ve a question that defies shortening enough to fit here.)

[@raphaellaaime7991]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@GirishKhera]

This is super helpful . What happens with movie / streaming rights

[@GirishKhera]

Meaning by default to publishers ask for / expect them , or does it retain with the author . I have written a full novel which has been professionally edited ; the feedback is that the novel is very visual and I might consider turning it into a script . So more interested in the movie side of the business

[@marias8007]

that's so interesting, that most authors don't usually earn out their advance! thank you for these insights

[@RobR4455]

What is a reasonable timeframe for an editor to critique your book, and what is a typical rate charged?

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Those details vary by book editor, but should be discussed up front by the both of you, as well as listed in any contracts or job agreements that you or the editor brings up! Don't hesitate to ask these questions, as any legit editor should be prepared and ready to answer them.

[@steviep6955]

Thank you 🤓

[@123gorainy]

Thank you for this excellent video, Alyssa.

[@singin8324]

Love the vid, some great info, thanks.

[@daniboomclap6865]

This was really helpful!

[@dianeiskierski4254]

Very informative. Does Dorrance Publishing offer an Advance?

[@ChuckFasst]

So how do you find out literary agent?

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Hi Chuck - here's a video with some ideas for finding reputable literary agents: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYGQq4qwqsyji6c I hope that helps!

[@AgentNoosh]

Wow, this was so well explained! Thank you for this as I have not heard many of these things before, especially about how it is normal not to earn out an advance.

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jordiortega4436]

Great insights. Thx!

[@miles.thompson]

VERY helpful, I am a fan of the guidance you're offering. New to the market, after a career in animation, and am fascinated and intrigued by all the possibilities in print. It is a labyrinth!

[@ZombieJohn]

Brilliant stuff-thanks!