What are computer book publishers paying?
We are currently looking for book proposals on these subjects. (And
more.)
Please feel free to email us if you have
any questions about these, or want to know whether your book idea might sell. See our guide to writing book proposals on what to do next.
We need proposals and authors for all high-level computer books. What is a high-level computer book? Well, it's usually a book about programming or fixing programming. The general rule of thumb we use is if most run-of-the-mill computer users couldn't understand the book's title, then that's a book that will sell. Why? Because the more advanced computers get, the more technical knowledge programmers, system administrators, web designers, software engineers, and scientists need.
We are also interested in proposals for novice and intermediate-level computer books.
What are computer book publishers paying?
That is the $64,000 question, of course. Every book is unique, and every advance and royalty rate is different. Generally we are seeing advances from $10,000 to $20,000 for intermediate and advanced-level computer books. Seasoned authors and books that are in demand receive toward the higher end of this scale -- or beyond. Royalty rates range from 10 to 20 percent of the book's net receipts (which are roughly half of the list price.) Various factors, including the deep discount rate, revised editions, late penalties, bonuses, and foreign sales, can affect the royalties you receive, so it is important to negotiate your contract carefully.
So what does that mean for earnings? Most computer books cost a lot -- have a high price point, in the vernacular of the industry. Computer books often retail from between $30 to $70, and authors can receive in the neighborhood of $3 - $5 a book (based on a $50 book, retail). Sell 10,000 copies and that's $30,000 - $50,000; sell 100,000 copies and you will receive $300,000 - $500,000. Royalties are paid after the advance is earned back.
Then there are revised editions. Computer books have a short shelf life because the technology changes so quickly. When a software product undergoes a revision, there's little question about what happens next: All the books on that subject have to be revised. And quickly. If you happen to have written on such a subject, your publisher will no doubt ask you to revise the book. And if the first edition of your book sold well, then you can expect the subsequent editions to sell well, too.
The demand for computer books continues to increase. More and more people are using the Internet, which means more and more people have to learn Java, C++, HTML, ActiveX, web site design, UNIX and other related subjects. Every time a new product is developed, books are needed. Computer manufacturers and software companies continue to make manuals that blow away in a weak breeze, so consumers need computer books to supplement these non-manuals. When a company transitions to Windows 95, or Windows NT, they need help! Telephone technical support is ofen unhelpful, and frequently expensive. (Remember when technical support used to be free via an 800-number!) That is where books come in.
PC sales are growing. The simple fact is that more people are using computers than ever before, and everyone needs to know more about how to use them -- at all levels of instruction.
Who buys computer books? Consumers --end users-- certainly. But also system engineers, software developers, programmers, computer consultants, web designers, system administrators, libraries, computer science departments, small business owners, technical support engineers, and others.
In summary, there are numerous factors that affect how much money you can earn for any given book. Some of these are out of your control -- such as how popular the product or subject is that you are writing about. Other factors make a big difference in how much income your book will bring in, including how you negotiate the advance, royalty, royalty price breaks, late penalty clause, early bonus clause, bestseller clause, discount rate, subsidiary rights, and other issues.
What about literary agents? How much do agents receive? Every literary agent has his or her own rates. Adler & Robin Books receives a 15 percent commission with no other charges for anything else.
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