Enquiring

[lambetommy81]

Hello forum members thank you for having me,I'm just enquiring I have been unemployed for a while now,due to unforeseen circumstances, however I've been keeping myself busy through art and design and writing, trying to put together content that appeals to young and old,,after several months I organised all my work,layed it out in the form of a children's book,I decided to submit my manuscript to a reputable book publisher,and after the boards reviewed it,wrote me a glowing letter outlining how much they loved my work,and offered me a publishing deal.However I don't know how to feel about this, because it's all new to me, being a first time author,,the company in question are looking for one third,of the cost of publishing,but the royalties in question are good.My question being I do not have the money their looking for,so if you were in my shoes,what advice could you give,do I have options?How should I be feeling about getting a deal? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[Sherliarty]

I am not sure this is the right forum for this question. Perhaps try a creative writing website or forum where there are probably some experienced authors who can offer advice. However, I am surprised a reputable publisher would expect you to pay towards the cost of your book being printed. I would expect this of a self-publishing agreement but not what you are describing.

 

[lambetommy81]

I am not sure this is the right forum for this question. Perhaps try a creative writing website or forum where there are probably some experienced authors who can offer advice. However, I am surprised a reputable publisher would expect you to pay towards the cost of your book being printed. I would expect this of a self-publishing agreement but not what you are describing.

Well as I said I'm new to all this,there deal is I have to pay one third for publication,I've no reason to exaggerate.

 

[EdibleDormouse]

Well as I said I'm new to all this,there deal is I have to pay one third for publication,I've no reason to exaggerate.

Checked this out with a publisher mate. She advised "avoid".

It's really, really tough to get a start. Thankfully, enough self-published books have now hit the bestseller lists that there's no stigma attached any longer. Might it be worth checking that out? Otherwise I have a horrible feeling you're going to pay out towards publication and then absolutely nothing will happen and you'll never see any return on it.

 

[lambetommy81]

Are you saying it's easy to get a book deal with this company?I was researching and it's between 1% 2% for new author s to get a deal,I understand what your saying with self publishing and I might take that path,,but what I'm trying to say is I believe in my script it's really good in my eyes,,but thank you for your advice.

 

[EdibleDormouse]

Are you saying it's easy to get a book deal with this company?I was researching and it's between 1% 2% for new author s to get a deal,I understand what your saying with self publishing and I might take that path,,but what I'm trying to say is I believe in my script it's really good in my eyes,,but thank you for your advice.

Not at all, I'm not saying that, so please don't put words in my mouth. I work in an extremely tough profession myself and see insanely talented people get screwed over by agents and 'opportunities' all the time. After over 25 years in the job, I have an instinct for them. What you are describing feels like a classic "pay to sing" young artist programme in my world, where the talents of those getting a start are used to make a profit for the promoter without a penny being returned to the artist. You need talent to get there (or they can't make it pay for themselves), but it's never going to pay for you. Does that make sense?

If I can be very honest, you WILL need a proofreader and an editor. Everybody does. But any money you might have put towards that publisher might be better spent on finding a freelancer to do that for you. You will also get to keep better artistic control of your book and how it is presented.

 

[Wild Neon Sins]

Tbh it sounds more like a vanity publisher than a reputable publisher if they're asking you to pay to be published.

edit: Absolutewrite's Bewares, Recommendations & Background Check subforum is a good place to check for publishers/companies to avoid

https://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php?forums/bewares-recommendations-background-check.22/

 

[Jute]

Are you saying it's easy to get a book deal with this company?I was researching and it's between 1% 2% for new author s to get a deal,I understand what your saying with self publishing and I might take that path,,but what I'm trying to say is I believe in my script it's really good in my eyes,,but thank you for your advice.

"I understand what your saying" I hope that's a typo...

 

[EdibleDormouse]

"I understand what your saying" I hope that's a typo...

Like I said, a proofreader and an editor. But we all need those from tiem to tiem.

 

[lambetommy81]

Not at all, I'm not saying that, so please don't put words in my mouth. I work in an extremely tough profession myself and see insanely talented people get screwed over by agents and 'opportunities' all the time. After over 25 years in the job, I have an instinct for them. What you are describing feels like a classic "pay to sing" young artist programme in my world, where the talents of those getting a start are used to make a profit for the promoter without a penny being returned to the artist. You need talent to get there (or they can't make it pay for themselves), but it's never going to pay for you. Does that make sense?

If I can be very honest, you WILL need a proofreader and an editor. Everybody does. But any money you might have put towards that publisher might be better spent on finding a freelancer to do that for you. You will also get to keep better artistic control of your book and how it is presented.

Thank you dearly for your advice,no sorry if I came across rude or aggressive,that's the problem with typing replies,no just wondering if I should pursue this, creative writing career,not necessarily with this company,but gives me hope they liked my work gives me a bit of hope,if you get what I mean.thanks again