...Well, I’m very excited… I have been contacted by a publishing house who wants to use two of my pictures for a book cover!!!! I’m over the moon but I have now to give “my price” and I haven’t got the first idea of how much I should charge for this.
The cover will be for a novel, I think it will be paperback. They will use details of two pictures. What should I charge?
I also assume I would retain all copyrights.
Thanks so much for your advice
Karin Taylor, 4 months ago
Congrats! That’s fantastic news :D
I would get straight on the phone to a body like Arts Law which is what we have in one of our states in Australia and get myself a Draft Contract/Sample Contract through the people who know all the loopholes. You definitely should retain the copyright, unless they wish to buy the rights, and then that’s a whole other kettle of fish/issue to settle. You would have to consider it very carefully. Usually, it is always best never ever to sell the copyright. You cannot ever know just how much that piece of art could earn in the future. It can all be done legally, and that way you will have all the things you hadn’t thought of covered. It’s so exciting, but it’s still business. So treat it like a business and make sure you negotiate with them…begin at beyond your highest imagined price, so you can barter down with them over it. That would be my advice. Hope it’s been of some help….. Now go have a glass of wine and celebrate!!!! Cheers!
Mel Brackstone, 4 months ago
Congratulations!!!
This calculator might help. You need to know details like size of the book, how many will be printed, and how long they want the rights to use your photo. (amongst other things)
Don’t assume anything, make sure it’s all in writing. Set your terms and conditions clearly stating that you want to retain copyright, and that you are licensing the image for a set amount of time. I’d spend some time checking out various contracts as mentioned by Karin.
I prefer to receive payment before handing over the photos too…..
Good luck!
JLHopgood, 4 months ago
wooohooo! can’t help one bit on the pricing issue but I’m really really pleased for you! :o)
Malen in reply to Mel Brackstone’s comment, 4 months ago
Mel, thank you for the link that’s very helpful!!!
Kye Valongo, 4 months ago
I am a writer int the UK and am also a member of the Society of Authors who are great with advice etc… is there a similar organisation in France that you could join? A photojournalism organisation may be a good contact – search for a website – or an artists’ organisation. Great photos, definitely don’t assign copyright because you can definitely sell them again. Oh, well done but no surprise – they are great images! Perhaps you can syndicate them to a photo library?
Malen in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 4 months ago
Karin, thank you…you’re right, I’ve got no intention to sell my copyrights…and it will be Champagne for everybody when I’ve got the book in my hands!!!
Malen in reply to JLHopgood’s comment, 4 months ago
Jo thanks for your kind words!
Malen in reply to Kye Valongo’s comment, 4 months ago
Thanks Kye, that’s a good idea…I’m going to check on that.
poppykitten, 4 months ago
I know nothing about this sort of thing, but perhaps you could ask for a percentage based on sales, if the book is going to be popular, that may be worth a thought.
Al Neaimi, 4 months ago
wow Malen good for you , I have some of my images used in a book I charged one fixed price that I was happy with before the book was printed and I keep all the copy rights.
Irish, 4 months ago
OMG….Thats GREAT News…Congrats!
Rebecca Winslow, 4 months ago
Congratulations! I am so happy for you!!! I am not sure how it works with book deals, I can only tell you that on my Sony deal I gave up all copy rights on both CD covers, but my name is inside the cases as the graphic artist, and the total take home was around the $40,000 figure, and one CD signed by each artist. ; ) I am totally satisfied with that. I hope that helps, and again CONGRATS!!!
Charles Winslow, 4 months ago
ROFL! This is what happens when my daughter doesnt log out on my computer! Anyway, leave it so I can show her what I am yelling at her about.
Irish, 4 months ago
HA HA HA …Thata funny Chales, maybe you should be a NICE DAD and get her a LAPTOP of her own…lol
Astrid Pardew, 4 months ago
!!!! **CONGRATULATIONS* !!!!!
Malen in reply to Rebecca Winslow’s comment, 4 months ago
My goodness! 40.000$!!! Congratulations to you girl!!! Well done!!
Malen in reply to Charles Winslow’s comment, 4 months ago
LOL! What would you expect Charles, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…she’s proved she’s got the creative bug…she’s a tremendous artist and loads of talent to nurture. Don’t be grumpy!
Malen in reply to Astrid Pardew’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you Astrid!
Malen in reply to Al Neaimi’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you Al Neaimi…I’ll keep it in mind
Malen in reply to poppykitten’s comment, 4 months ago
Poppy thanks, that’s interesting way to look at it
Malen in reply to Irish’s comment, 4 months ago
Too right! Irish
Al Neaimi, 4 months ago
you are welcome , wish you all the best with this .
Katie Evans, 4 months ago
Congrats on that!
What a great honor!
I’m sorry I’m no help with the price problem, but it seems you’re getting great advice on that already. Let us know which books they are! =]
Michelle Scott, 4 months ago
well done and congratulations too you:) i think that poppy kittens idea is really good way too go ,but make sure its all done by the books and that you have it all in written :) so happy for you x dont forget to let us know which book its going to be :)
Rebecca Winslow, 4 months ago
Sorry Malen! I think I am in trouble, ha ha ha! And I wish it was my $40,000! I did enjoy my gifts from it though. I wish you the same wealth, and hope you get millions!
shawhouse, 4 months ago
don’t know
botticcelli, 4 months ago
enhorabuena , Malen!
Randy Monteith, 4 months ago
A friend of mine locally here in Canada does CD covers for mostly Heavy Metal Bands and he gets an average of $500 per cover and 5 copies of the CD.
He has done covers for Ex Uriah Heap , guitarists and keyboard player , Ken Hensley, Dokkenn, Quite Riot and the list goes on.
He does all the package including all the lines notes
Hope this helps.
nannamanson, 4 months ago
Your art seriously deserves to be cover art. I’ve shown so many of my friends your work and it is all beautiful! Good luck. Maybe I can sell the print I bought of yours when you get really famous!!
nannamanson, 4 months ago
Your art seriously deserves to be cover art. I’ve shown so many of my friends your work and it is all beautiful! Good luck. Maybe I can sell the print I bought of yours when you get really famous!!
kaylenelise, 4 months ago
$1,000,000? or not. I dunno. you deserve it. :) cheers.
Roland Schicht, 2 months ago
How much did you get? If any. Not meant unkindly… just precise and short. Thank you.
Malen in reply to Roland Schicht’s comment, 2 months ago
Thanks for asking Roland. Well, let’s put it this way, I won’t be leaving my day job anytime soon. But it’s definitely worthwhile for a first time publication. The book is due out on 30 June 2008. Once it’s out, I’ll be posting the cover…
Roland Schicht, 2 months ago
Thank you. I’m glad you were not offended by my direct question. I wish that YOUR BOOK will turn out BEST and I look forward to see it. Ciaou… You must have a very fascinating and gifted way with children.
TravisRussell, 2 months ago
I am so proud for you.My wife and I just love your work.Will the book be released in the
U.S.?
Ray Pethick, about 1 month ago
be wary of publishers, they are as tight as fishes arses when it comes to paying for what they get.