Comments on: WASWI – Where Should You Buy a Quilt Book?

By: Ursula

Ursula — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 22:20:18 +0000

Thanks for the valuable information you shared. You mention that you had your original manuscript and the publisher “worked with you” to the finished project. We’re the changes a good thing or did they just turn everything tipsy turvy to make it their own version instead? Knowing how well you write I can’t imagine that it really needed that much work. I see how well your patterns are written and are easy to follow it makes the construction a joy. All patterns should be as clear!

By: Lara B.

Lara B. — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 14:58:22 +0000

In reply to Melanie McNeil.

Sam, this is a great insight into the process!
Melanie’s question is interesting too. My first quilting book is coming out April 2015 with the AQS. I can tell you that the royalty percentage with them is 5%, with no room for negotiation (first time, unproven author) BUT that 5% is on the list price, no matter what they sell the book for. So, as far as I understand it, for a $24.95 list price, I’ll make $1.25 per book, even if it is sold on Amazon for half price.
It will take quite a few sales to recoup my expenses though, as I did not have any suppliers. I wasn’t even a blogger when I started.

By: Patti

Patti — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:40:29 +0000

One would never realize all there is to publishing a book and trying to make a profit. Good Luck. I hope to get the book soon.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 02:03:43 +0000

I really appreciated that you put all of this information out there. I’m working on my own book and was curious about the breakdown after it’s been published. One thing I will say is that even as a first time author you should be getting an advance (on the order of $2-$5K from what I’ve seen). That is something that is very negotiable in your contract. Too late for this book, but I thought I’d put that out there in case there are other first time writers reading this. 🙂 Royalties are another place where you have a lot of negotiation room. 10%-15% is what I’ve seen. Of course every publisher is different!

By: Granny Maud's Girl

Granny Maud's Girl — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:52:19 +0000

Thank you for explaining publishing from an outsider’s point of view! I am quilter on the weekends but a book editor during the week, and my professional skills are about as undervalued as the professional quilters’. I work as hard as I can to make an author’s book the best it can be. Quilters love quilts, and we love books. It is difficult to charge a fair price for your expertise and time when you also love what you do.

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:18:19 +0000

In reply to Lily Gonzales-Creed. I have no idea who's making all the big $$, but I know it's not you and me. If we as consumers make it a $4Billion dollar pie, shouldn't we be getting to have a slice rather than crumbs?

By: Lily Gonzales-Creed

Lily Gonzales-Creed — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:12:38 +0000

Hi Sam, I’m interested to know who is carting home loads of cash from this industry! I do love it because of the people are kind and open, and most importantly, candid. I have gotten so much support from people (like you!) I’ve spent a hot second with and am richer because of that. To live off of that alone, I can’t imagine. Our wealth comes from our community, and if we can all find a way for the creatives to get a bigger piece of that pie, that would be amazing too! I’m so proud of you for you new book – hope to see you at Quiltcon! – are you going?

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:49:10 +0000

In reply to Sam Hunter.

I honestly don’t know. I’m a big fan of the ask.. so either I would find an author who works with the publisher you’re interested in and ask them, or ask the publishing house itself what the customary royalty amount offered is. I also don’t know if established authors can negotiate the percentage up… I didn’t try to (and in hindsight, I probably should have because it doesn’t hurt to ask, right?)
I have a friend who recently completed a biography of a photographer, and he is sharing 12% with a co-author. I also assume that, because his book is more niche and the quilting industry is so vast that I will probably earn more than him by far.

By: Melanie McNeil

Melanie McNeil — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:12:52 +0000

In reply to Sam Hunter. Thanks. I wondered, do you have any sense for how these terms (with C&T) differ from what other publishers provide? I expect the basic framework is the same, but more specifically the royalty rate and how it's calculated. And ... perhaps "dumb" question, do they just tell you what's typical for them as a publisher if you call and ask? Or do you have to commit by proposing before you can find out anything?

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:58:37 +0000

In reply to Tiffany Sherman. My pleasure!