I have read from more than one source, that agents and publishers look for a would-be author to sell at least 100,000 copies of their book.
If you were lucky to get a £100,000 advance on your novel then 15% would go to your agent if you have one, and 20% if they are an American agent. That’s either £15,000 or £20,000 as commission, which is not a fortune for a large agency, or even a small one with low overheads.
The figure of 100,000 doesn't surprise me. But I can see why self-publishing is an attractive option for would-be novelists, even though I am not a fan.
I would have to say if an agent got me 100K then they would deserve the 20%
I would imagine anybody getting that would be tied down with a 7 book deal
to be delivered in hard driven production line timeline. Douglas Adams was famously locked in a hotel room by his publisher to ensure he finished one of his contracted books.
One deal book wonders will always happen but for the rest of the pack I believe its just a case of working away until the sheer volume of work breaks the barriers down.
Sonya, as far as revenue's concerned, it depends on your advance - since it's an advance against royalties (meaning you don't get any more money until you've 'sold out' the advance i.e. the book's made the same amount back for the publisher). So if you get a £5000 advance, the book has to make more than £5000 before you get royalty payments - and all of those details are set out in your contract.
Clear as mud, eh? The long and the short of it is that there's no typical amount for debut writers. Some self-publish and do brilliantly, some go traditional and do very well, and sometimes both self published and traditional authors struggle to make money.
It's the old 'book are art, and art isn't a business' thing. Hope that helps...?
Thanks Louise - useful links.
Slightly depressing, though not unexpected ;)