Frequently Asked Questions Series: Installment Ten

Posted by Imogen Howson, 06/15/09 05:27 AM

Welcome to the tenth and last installment in our new series of Frequently Asked Questions!

Over several years of dealing with queries and submissions, we’ve found that some questions get asked more frequently than others. So, over the last few months, on every alternate Monday, we’ve been putting up two or three of these, together with (because we’re nice like that) their answers.
The comments section will be open for anyone who’d like to ask for clarification, and Samhain staff will be along to provide further details or answers to supplementary questions.

If you’d like to view our full collection of FAQs, go here.

(click here to view installment one)
(click here to view installment two)
(click here to view installment three)
(click here to view installment four)
(click here to view installment five)
(click here to view installment six)
(click here to view installment seven)
(click here to view installment eight)
(click here to view installment nine)

Topic Eight: Money

8.1. Does Samhain offer an advance?
No.

8.2. How are royalties paid?
Samhain pays royalties of 40% of the cover price on single-author ebooks sold through My Bookstore and More, 30% of the cover price on single-author ebooks sold through third-party vendors such as Mobipocket, Fictionwise and All Romance eBooks, and 8% of the cover price on single-author print books, with a 3% reserve against returns. Multiple-author books will split the above royalty percentages equally.

Royalties from books sold at My Bookstore and More are paid monthly, via posted check, Paypal or Direct Deposit. Royalties from other vendors, such as Fictionwise and Mobipocket, are paid to Samhain—and hence to authors—on a quarterly basis. Print royalties are paid biannually.

Topic Nine: Marketing

9.1. What will Samhain do to market and promote my books?
Samhain displays advertisements in Romantic Times and at SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com, as well as other online review sites and unique online sites such as Icanhazcheezburger.com. Our staff attends numerous conferences and book fairs.

We have a blog on our website, where throughout the week authors are able to promote their books, maintain an online presence and connect with readers. We provide the Samhain Cafe, our open Yahoo group where authors can have fun and chat informally with their readers. We also run the Discover New Authors program. To read more about this go here.

We provide many further opportunities for authors to get involved in publicizing their books, such as the monthly author-run Samhain newsletter, The Samhellion, and organized chats at other reader sites.

We also provide a marketing discussion group for our authors which provides help, advice and workshops on various aspects of publicity.

Our marketing department is always searching for new and innovative ways to market both the company and its authors.

Category: | 06/15/09 05:27 AM
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Comments: [3]

  1. 1 Julie Robinson

    Hi Imogene and thank you so much for this last installment.

    I’ve been out of pocket the past few months with the flurry that comes at the end of high school, applications for college, and a cruise. So I’m really glad I checked in today to catch up. Though I am not yet published, I look to these insightful FAQ’s as a guide.

    Thanks again. I hope to one day put all this valuable information to good use with Samhain.

    Julie

    Comment by Julie Robinson · Jun 16, 11:28 PM
  2. 2 Imogen Howson

    Hi Julie!

    Thanks for checking in. And wow, a cruise—lucky you. :-)

    Good luck for when you do send something in to Samhain!

    Imogen

    Comment by Imogen Howson · Jun 17, 05:21 AM
  3. 3 Julie Robinson

    Thank you.

    Actually the cruise was to celebrate my son’s turning 18, his graduation from h.s., and his 2 scholarships to LSU—Baton Rouge. Sort of a last hurrah before he moves to the dorm in 2 months. sniff, sniff.

    But I’m determined that at that point, I will do some serious writing. Meanwhile, I am absorbing info (hopefully) by learning about the industry through such blog posts as yours and by taking on-line courses.

    Thanks for taking time to write all this information.

    Julie

    Comment by Julie Robinson · Jun 17, 06:42 PM

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