Show Me the Money!
Please help me make this survey more accurate by sharing your information! See details at the end.
What do the various romance (and YA) publishers pay? Here’s the best info I’ve gleaned from a dozen years of surveying authors who were generous enough to volunteer their figures. Royalty percentages are based on cover price unless otherwise noted and are for U.S. retail sales. Earnout figures include all earnings for a book, including the advance, royalties, and any subsidiary sales. Publishers are only included if I had at least three responses for that publisher. Similarly, n/a means that specific information wasn’t available. Ranges for advances and earnouts are provided to control for the skewing that one or two outliers might cause, as are median figures. Only titles released in the year 2000 or later are included. I make no claim to statistical significance–I simply present what I’ve received, operating on the assumption that some information is far better than none at all.
………………………………………………………………………………………..# of titles included
Asylett………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Average advance: $0
Standard electronic royalty: 40% (net)
Average earn-out: $100 Median: $70
Avalon………………………………………………………………………………………………..20
Average advance: $1030 Median: $1000
Advance range: $1000 – $1200
Standard print royalty: 10%
Average earn-out: $1250 Median: $1000 Range: $1000 – $2400
Avon/HarperCollins……………………………………………………………………………54
Average advance (first book): $18,600 Median: $9000
Average advance (subsequent books): $27,000 Median: $13,000
Advance range: $5000 – $100,000
Standard print royalty: 8% Electronic: 25% (net)
Average earn-out: $22,000 Median: $22,000 Range: $12,000 – $35,000
Baker/Revell……………………………………………………………………………………….11
Average advance: $8700 Median: $8500
Advance range: $6700 – $10,000
Standard print royalty: 8-17% (net) Electronic: 50% (net)
Average earn-out: n/a
Ballantine………………………………………………………………………………………….19
Average advance (first book): $40,000 Median: $40,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $172,000 Median: $175,000
Advance range: $40,000 – $275,000
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Bantam/Dell……………………………………………………………………………………….15
Average advance: $17,000 Median: $20,000
Advance range: $7500 – $25,000
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Barbour & Co. (Heartsong Presents)…………………………………………………..13
Average advance: $2500 Median: $2500
Advance range: $2200 – $3000
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: $3600 Median: $3600 Range: $2500 – $3900
Barbour & Co. (Novellas) …………………………………………………………………12
Average advance: $1000 Median: $1000
Standard print royalty: 2.5%
Average earn-out: n/a
Barbour & Co. (Trade Fiction) ……………………………………………………………4
Average advance: $8750 Median: $8750
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Berkley/Jove………………………………………………………………………………………78
Average advance (first book): $8100 Median: $7000
Average advance (subsequent books): $12,200 Median: $8000
Advance range: $4000 – $40,000
Standard print royalty: 6% – 8% Electronic: 15% (cover) – 25% (net)
Average earn-out: $15,700 Median: $10,000 Range: $5000 – $50,000
Berkley (novellas) ………………………………………………………………………………4
Average advance: $6900 Median: $6300
Standard print royalty: 2-3.75%
Average earn-out: n/a
Breathless Press …………………………………………………………………………………8
Average advance: none
Standard electronic royalty: 40%
Average earn-out: $200 Median: $150
Cerridwen…………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 7.5% Electronic 37.5% onsite 37.5% (net) elsewhere
Average earn-out: $400 Median: $100
Changeling Press………………………………………………………………………………..21
Average advance: none
Standard electronic royalty: 35%
Average earn-out: $1050 Median: $1050
Cobblestone……………………………………………………………………………………….14
Average advance: none
Electronic royalty: 35% onsite 35% (net) elsewhere
Average earn-out: $700 Median: $650
Dutton/Signet/NAL……………………………………………………………………………..35
Average advance (first book): $9400 Median: $10,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $21,000 Median: $12,500
Advance range: $6000 – $85,000
Standard print royalty: 7.5 – 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Ellora’s Cave……………………………………………………………………………………..137
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 7.5% Electronic 37.5% onsite 37.5% (net) elsewhere
Average earn-out: $3100 Median: $2300 Range: $250 – $14,000
Ellora’s Cave (anthologies/novellas) ………………………………………………….38
Average advance: none
Standard electronic royalty: varies by number of authors
Average earn-out: $2250 Median: $2100 Range: $430 – $7100
Five Star/Thorndike (hardcover) ………………………………………………………….8
Average advance: $1150 Median: $1000
Advance range: $750 – $2000
Standard print royalty: 10%
Average earn-out: $1850 Median: $850 Range: $750 – $4000
Grand Central Publishing (Warner/Hachette) ……………………………………….58
Average advance (first book): $7100 Median: $6000
Average advance (subsequent books): $17,000 Median: $10,000
Advance range: $5000 – $75,000
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: $38,500 Median: $31,500 Range: $8300 – $100,000
Harlequin American…………………………………………………………………………..19
Average advance (first book): $4400 Median: $4250
Average advance (subsequent books): $5000 Median: $5000
Advance range: $4000 – $8500
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $8150 Median: $7600 Range: $7300 – $10,100
Harlequin Blaze………………………………………………………………………………..31
Average advance (first book): $4350 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5500 Median: $5300
Advance range: $4000 – $10,500
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $12,500 Median: $12,300 Range: $10,500 – $15,000
Harlequin Desire ……………………………………………………………………………..35
Average advance (first book): $4300 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5800 Median: $6000
Advance range: $4000 – $8,000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic 6%
Average earn-out: $16,400 Median: $15,500 Range: $12,000 – $23,000
Harlequin Historical …………………………………………………………………………34
Average advance (first book): $3400 Median: $2500
Average advance (subsequent books): $5400 Median: $5500
Advance range: $2500 – $8,000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $9100 Median: $8650 Range: $6700 – $13,000
Harlequin Intrigue……………………………………………………………………………..29
Average advance (first book): $3900 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5000 Median: $4500
Advance range: $3500 – $7500
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $14,500 Median: $12,600 Range: $10,000 – $26,000
Harlequin Mills & Boon (Incl. Medical) ……………………………………………….26
Average advance (first book): $3500 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $3900 Median: $4000
Advance range: $2000 – $5000
Standard print royalty: 4-6% Electronic: 4-6%
Average earn-out: n/a
Harlequin Nocturne……………………………………………………………………………..6
Average advance: $7200 Median: $7300
Advance range: $6000 – $8000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic 6%
Average earn-out: n/a
Harlequin Romance……………………………………………………………………………..19
Average advance (first book): $2500 Median: $2500
Average advance (subsequent books): $3100 Median: $2600
Advance range: $2400 – $7000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $10,100 Median: $10,000 Range: $7400 – $12,800
Harlequin Romantic Suspense ……………………………………………………………..13
Average advance (first book): n/a
Average advance (subsequent books): $5600 Median: $5500
Advance range: $4000 – $7500
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic 6%
Average earn-out: $11,000 Median: $11,000 Range: $9500 – $13,500
Harlequin Special Edition ……………………………………………………………………29
Average advance (first book): $4100 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $7300 Median: $8000
Advance range: $4000 – $13,000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic 6%
Average earn-out: $17,500 Median: $17,000 Range: $12,000 – $23,000
Harlequin Superromance……………………………………………………………………..72
Average advance (first book): $5000 Median: $5000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5500 Median: $5500
Advance range: $4000 – $7000
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $15,000 Median: $15,000 Range: $8,000 – $28,000
HQN…………………………………………………………………………………………………10
Average advance: $22,700 Median: $21,000
Advance range: $8500 – $55,000
Standard print royalty: 8% Electronic: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Harper Teen………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Average advance: $30,000 Median: $30,000
Advance range: $20,000 – $40,000
Standard print royalty: 6% trade 10% hc Electronic: 25% (net)
Average earn-out: n/a
Kensington/Zebra………………………………………………………………………………..148
Average advance (first book): $3500 Median: $3000
Average advance (subsequent books): $7100 Median: $3700
Advance range: $1750 – $60,000
Standard print royalty: 6 – 8% Electronic: 25% (net)
Average earn-out: $6200 Median: $3800 Range: $2500 – $17,800
Kensington (novellas) ……………………………………………………………………………29
Average advance: $2750 Median: $1500
Advance range: $750 – $9000
Standard print royalty: 2 – 3.75%
Average earn-out: n/a
Liquid Silver………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Average advance: none
Standard electronic royalty: 40%
Average earn-out: $900 Median: $230 Range: $70 – $3400
Loose Id………………………………………………………………………………………………..19
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 7% Electronic: 35%
Average earn-out: $1700 Median: $1300 Range: $200 – $4500
Love Inspired ………………………………………………………………………………………….83
Average advance (first book): $4000 Median: $4000
Average advance (subsequent books): $5400 Median: $5000
Advance range: $3500 – $9500
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 6%
Average earn-out: $10,800 Median: $10,400 Range: $6500 – $18,000
Medallion Press………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Average advance: $1200 Median: $1000
Advance range: $1000 – $2000
Standard print royalty: 10%
Average earn-out: n/a
MIRA………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
Average advance: $80,000 Median: $17,500
Advance range: $15,000 – $450,000
Standard print royalty: 8% Electronic: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
New Concepts Publishing……………………………………………………………………….12
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 8-9.5% Electronic: 40%
Average earn-out: $690 Median: $270 Range: $90 – $2900
Pocket……………………………………………………………………………………………………..30
Average advance (first book): $10,400 Median: $5000
Average advance (subsequent books): $16,700 Median: $12,500
Advance range: $5000 – $50,000
Standard print royalty: 8 – 10% Electronic: 25% (net)
Average earn-out: n/a
Random House/Delacorte (YA)………………………………………………………………..7
Average advance (first book): $28,000 Median: $18,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $90,000 Median: $92,500
Advance range: $15,000 – $125,000
Standard print royalty: 6 – 10%
Average earn-out: $110,000 Median: $128,000
Ravenous Romance…………………………………………………………………………………..3
Average advance: $200 Median: $200
Standard electronic royalty: 38%
Average earn-out: $530 Median: $500
Red Sage (novellas) …………………………………………………………………………………11
Average advance: $550 Median: $750
Advance range: $50 – $1000
Standard print royalty: 1.5 – 6% (varies by # of authors)
Average earn-out: $2300 Median: $2250 Range: $1000 – $3600
St. Martin’s Press…………………………………………………………………………………….32
Average advance (first book): $18,500 Median: $7500
Average advance (subsequent books): $39,000 Median: $20,000
Advance range: $4500 – $200,000
Standard print royalty: 7.5-10% Electronic: 25% (net?)
Average earn-out: n/a
Samhain………………………………………………………………………………………………….27
Average advance: $60 Median: $100
Advance range: $0 – $100
Standard print royalty: 8 – 10% Electronic: 40% onsite 30% elsewhere
Average earn-out: $3100 Median: $1700 Range: $300 – $15,000
Simon & Schuster Pulse/McElderry/UK (YA)……………………………………………..7
Average advance: $17,000 Median: $22,000
Advance range: $10,000 – $25,000
Standard print royalty: 6%mm 7% t 10%hc
Average earn-out: n/a
Siren Bookstrand…………………………………………………………………………………….22
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 6% Electronic: 40%
Average earn-out: $6400 Median: $2600 Range: $100 – $24,000
Sourcebooks…………………………………………………………………………………………..40
Average advance (first book): $2050 Median: $1700
Average advance (subsequent books): $4350 Median: $1700
Advance range: $1000 – $17,500
Standard print royalty: 6-8% Electronic: 8-25% (net)
Average earn-out: n/a
Tor/Forge……………………………………………………………………………………………….22
Average advance (first book): $11,000 Median: $10,000
Average advance (subsequent books): $14,000 Median: $14,000
Advance range: $7500 – $20,000
Standard print royalty: 8%
Average earn-out: n/a
Wild Rose Press………………………………………………………………………………………16
Average advance: none
Standard print royalty: 7% Electronic: 35% onsite 35% (net) elsewhere
Average earn-out: $300 Median: $150 Range: $50 – 1000
© 2001 – 2011 by Brenda Hiatt (last update: 6/11)
I very much want to keep this information current for future reference. Anyone willing to share their info (anonymously–I never save names!) please e-mail me at brendahb@aol.com. Indie-pubbed authors, please click the pull-down tab above for a separate survey. Huge thanks to all of the authors who have been willing to share their own, private financial data for the benefit of all writers!!
What I specifically need for each book:
Publisher/line
Year (or projected year) of release
Which book it is of yours/for that publisher (1st, 5th, etc.)
Advance (if any)
Standard royalty percentage (for regular print sales AND for ebook sales)
Total earnout to date (INCLUDING advance)
Title acronym with month/year of release (if known)
As always, everything will be kept TOTALLY confidential. I strip author
names and even delete the original email after pasting the data into my
database.
