Trends: Writers, Editors Say Adios to SASEs

Poets & Writers Jan/Feb 2007

Trends: Writers, Editors Say Adios to SASEs Neil Baker

UK IMPRINT ATTRACTS DEBUT AUTHORS

www.macmillannewwriting.com

No advance, No agent, non-negotiable terms from major publisher
First-time writer

Accepts only complete, word-perfect novels (edited and proof-read).
e.g Michael Stephen Fuchs, The Manuscript, positive review in UK April 2007

It is not vanity publishing. Only way for debut writer to get into print.

Writers do get higher-than-normal royalty: 20% of net receipts.
Publisher gets global rihts with proceeds from any rights sale shared 50:50 with the author
An option to buy the author's next novel on the same terms.
the manuscript must be finished. Macmillan will assign an editor. First novel. Submit by e-mail. Non negotiable , no need agent. Majority likes the deal.

21 debut writers have signed. Ranges across genres. UK, INdia, African mid 20s to over 60 years old.

e.g. Roger Moriss, Taking Comfort, first 3 months Morris sold 1,804 copies, earning US$4,000 in royalties, according to hisblog. Authors Guild in UK, average is US$9,500 annually.

Lack of an advance NOT a significant issue to debut authors.

The standard royalty rate for a book bought by a major publisher is 10% of the retail price of the book on first 5,000 copies sold, 12.5% on next 5,000 sold and 15% for all copies.