This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: [GWL]: Timber Press

On 1/18/02 7:39 AM, "BrookBarb@aol.com" <BrookBarb@aol.com> wrote:

> In a message dated 01/18/2002 4:24:22 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> garden@tiscali.co.uk writes:
> 
> 
>> The key elements of a Timber Press offer are generally as follows:
>> 
> 
> Sounds like about the worst arrangement I've ever heard of. Even my first
> book, published two decades ago by a bad publisher, carried a better deal
> than that. 
> 
> For starters, 10% of net means you don't make any money. F'rinstance, if the
> book retails for $20, and wholesales for $10, you would make a buck a book.
> The typical book doesn't sell 2,000 copies in its lifetime. But, let's say
> yours sells that many. You will earn, over a five year period, $2,000 for all
> the time, effort, and energy you put into writing and selling the book. This
> is not cost effective for anybody. Now add in the time, energy, and maybe
> even cash, you need to invest promoting the book, and you'll actually lose
> money on the deal.
> 
> On top of which, most reputable publishers pay royalties on a quarterly
> basis, not annually. So if you go with Timber Press, you have to wait for the
> pittance you're being paid, while they get to use your money, interest free.
> 
> I would have to say, look for a different publisher.

Now I'm SOOOO glad Timber turned down my proposal!

However, this explains how they are able to print books (like their series
on orchids) that would have very limited sales--the authors get practically
nothing.

However, Graham, was your book written for Timber, or did they pick up a
book you had already published in England?  My impression is that the latter
is a speciality of theirs.  If so, how does that work?  If you had already
written and published the book with an English publisher and gotten a good
deal, then the Timber Press contract was all gravy.

Bill Shear

============================================================
FREE Nokia 3390 pre-loaded with AOL Instant Messenger
Unlimited Weekend Minutes - FREE Long Distance
FREE Digital Roaming Nationwide - CLICK HERE!
http://click.topica.com/caaafK9bUrGSSbVSZwBf/Inphonic
============================================================

Pass the word to garden writers, editors publishers, horticultural businesses about our list.

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: topica.com@spamfodder.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrGSS.bVSZwB
Or send an email to: Gardenwriters-unsubscribe@topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index