Buying rights to translate a book Iniziatore argomento: Alessandra Armenise
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Hi,
I am interested in translating a book from English to Italian, and I am trying to propose the work to some Italian publishers.
Alternatively, I am considering the crowdfunding and self-publishing route.
I asked the rights owners how much the rights would cost and they said "the author and agent would accept an advance of Euros 2000 – maybe even 1500 to be set against royalties on the retail price for a seven year term".
Does this mean that I or the publisher would p... See more Hi,
I am interested in translating a book from English to Italian, and I am trying to propose the work to some Italian publishers.
Alternatively, I am considering the crowdfunding and self-publishing route.
I asked the rights owners how much the rights would cost and they said "the author and agent would accept an advance of Euros 2000 – maybe even 1500 to be set against royalties on the retail price for a seven year term".
Does this mean that I or the publisher would pay this amount to the author and then not having to pay them any selling percentages for 7 years?
I am confused by the way they phrased it, so I thought I would ask your help before asking them to clarify.
I am new to this publishing business so please bear with me
Also, any other tips much appreciated! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Paesi Bassi
Local time: 00:54
Membro (2006)
Da Inglese a Afrikaans
+ ...
| I understood | Jul 31, 2019 |
Alessandra Armenise wrote:
They said "the author and agent would accept an advance of ... 1500 euros to be set against royalties on the retail price for a seven year term".
The way I understood it (and I'm as clueless as you are), is that you have to pay them royalties for 7 years, but they want to receive EUR 1500 in advance. This means that they'll get EUR 1500 now, and then for a while they'll get nothing until the number of sales reach a point where the royalties will have reached EUR 1500, and from that point onwards they receive royalties, until 7 years is up.
You'd have to ask them what percentage of royalty they would want (it's not standard).
| | | | Lincoln Hui
Hong Kong
Local time: 06:54
Membro
Da Cinese a Inglese
+ ...
| Advance payment on royalties | Jul 31, 2019 |
Samuel is correct. That 1500 EUR represents the first 1500 EUR of royalties that would be paid.
| | | | Alessandra Armenise
Regno Unito
Local time: 23:54
Membro (2016)
Da Inglese a Italiano
+ ...
AVVIO ARGOMENTO
Thanks guys, it makes sense!
So I guess as the translator I would get another percentage decided by the publisher?
Or, if I self published. I would get all the rest.
Did anyone go for this route? Any experience to share?
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Lincoln Hui
Hong Kong
Local time: 06:54
Membro
Da Cinese a Inglese
+ ...
| Self publish | Jul 31, 2019 |
You are not likely to persuade a publisher to publish on their money.
As for self publishing, if the publisher is just printing the book for you, then obviously you keep everything but have to sell it yourself. If your arrangement involves the publisher marketing and selling the book for you, then you should expect maybe 50% of the proceeds to go to you, but this is before the original author's royalty, which comes out of your share.
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 16:54
Da Olandese a Inglese
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One option for self-publishing is via Amazon. They will give you all kinds of help, including selling, but I don't know any of the details. And Amazon is not the only one, there are other companies that specialize in guiding you through the process. Search online and find out as much as you can before making any decisions.
| | | | Eliza Hall
Stati Uniti
Local time: 18:54
Da Francese a Inglese
+ ...
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