On any given book, a publisher will keep around 85 percent of
net paperback sales and 75 percent of net ebook sales.
Not exact matches
Last year,
net sales revenue for
paperbacks amounted to $ 335 million.
So, for a $ 16.95
paperback, the
net sales price is $ 8.47.
In 2010, we saw e-book royalties for self - published authors (through Amazon, B&N, Apple, and most other outlets) increase from 35 % to 70 %, which compares quite favorably to the 8 % authors used to get from publishers for
paperback sales, or the 17.5 % (
net) they normally pay for e-book royalties.
That leaves you, the author, with a measly 15 percent of
paperback net sales and 25 percent of e-book
net sales.
Standard royalties via traditional publishers (note: these may vary): Hardcover: 10 % retail, sometimes escalating to 15 % after
sales thresholds are met Trade
paperback: 7.5 % retail Mass market: 8 % retail E-book: 25 %
net (usually translates to 17.5 % retail)
It's also worth noting that it requires at least $ 2.62 in additional retail hardcover and
paperback sales to make up for the reduction in
net publisher profit when that publisher gives up $ 1 in retail ebook
sales.