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fee structure for books
Thread poster: dchild
dchild
dchild  Identity Verified
Local time: 19:23
Japanese to English
+ ...
Jul 6, 2007

Hi All,

I am wondering if there is a standard approach to translating technical books directly for a publisher. Does the work generally get done using standard per-word rates, or is some kind of royalty based on sales also factored in?

Thanks.
 
nordiste
nordiste  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 01:23
English to French
+ ...
both Jul 6, 2007

Usually a publishing contract offers a lump sum calculated on a decent per-word rate plus a percentage of the sales. The percentage can be effective only when the sales reach a certain numbers of book sold.

There should also be provision for so called derived rights, in case the book is published in another format (pocket book or CD-Rom) or used a a basis for a TV show, a movie etc...

Usually you get one third of the lump sum at the beginning, one third at time of del... See more
Usually a publishing contract offers a lump sum calculated on a decent per-word rate plus a percentage of the sales. The percentage can be effective only when the sales reach a certain numbers of book sold.

There should also be provision for so called derived rights, in case the book is published in another format (pocket book or CD-Rom) or used a a basis for a TV show, a movie etc...

Usually you get one third of the lump sum at the beginning, one third at time of delivery and the final term when you have checked the proofs just before publishing.
Then you get an annual report on sales and your royalties if the book is successful. ▲ Collapse
 
dchild
dchild  Identity Verified
Local time: 19:23
Japanese to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
ballpark figure for royalty Jul 8, 2007

Thanks for the explanation. Is there a ballpark figure for the royalty percentage generally agreed to? I vaguely remember 4% but have no idea if that is true.
 


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fee structure for books







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