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@revenant The money paid for a book is split in several directions.
Yes - 70 years after an author's death, the royalties go to the publishers. However, in reality, by that time very few books are still being reprinted and sold.
The publisher, (after production costs, marketing, warehousing and distribution, retailer's cut and author's royalty,) gets about 10% of the book's total cost as profit.
The author's royalty depends on the author's status and type of book, averaging the 10% - 15% range for hardcover, and 5% - 7.5% for paperbacks. Well known and popular authors can command a higher royalty because publishers will compete to win their contracts.
The retailer takes a cut: about 1% for bulk pop fiction at KMart and similar outlets, and up to 50% for a wide range of literature at independent bookshops.
15% goes to warehouse storage and transport.
20-22% to printing.
Remaindered books (those that didn't sell) are sold at cost price on bargain tables. Authors get no royalties for these. Those that don't sell on the remainder tables are usually burnt because storage is far too expensive for publishers.
On average, only 10% of books make any profit. Publishers, even the big and successful ones, are always gambling in a very risky business.
Yes - 70 years after an author's death, the royalties go to the publishers. However, in reality, by that time very few books are still being reprinted and sold.
The publisher, (after production costs, marketing, warehousing and distribution, retailer's cut and author's royalty,) gets about 10% of the book's total cost as profit.
The author's royalty depends on the author's status and type of book, averaging the 10% - 15% range for hardcover, and 5% - 7.5% for paperbacks. Well known and popular authors can command a higher royalty because publishers will compete to win their contracts.
The retailer takes a cut: about 1% for bulk pop fiction at KMart and similar outlets, and up to 50% for a wide range of literature at independent bookshops.
15% goes to warehouse storage and transport.
20-22% to printing.
Remaindered books (those that didn't sell) are sold at cost price on bargain tables. Authors get no royalties for these. Those that don't sell on the remainder tables are usually burnt because storage is far too expensive for publishers.
On average, only 10% of books make any profit. Publishers, even the big and successful ones, are always gambling in a very risky business.