LogFAQs > #958982923

Here's a story I'm not sure I shared: several months ago, I was approached by a publishing company who specialized in LitRPGs. They were super interested in Outcast, and even offered me a deal right away!

It was bad. Really bad.

I didn't know that at first. Getting courted by a publishing company felt like a dream, and I definitely had stars in my eyes. They said they would get me cover art, an audiobook, an editor, and advertising - how could I not take that? Would I ever get another chance?

Then I talked so some people. Authors and non-authors who I trusted. They took one look at the royalty deal I was offered and told me it sucked. I won't name the company in question publicly, which means I can totally say that they were locking me into 30% royalties, after Amazon takes its cut, for three books straight. So for every $1000 of profit the book produced, I would get $300. 70% gone for...what? Basic support that, with hard work, I could accomplish on my own?

The thing that worried me the most was when I asked them what my advertising budget would be. They refused to commit to a hard number. I also learned that other authors were being offered better deals, which was a hilarious fact because the company said that the deal they offered me was the best in the business. From the start, they had no desire to be straight with me and no real faith in my book.

I looked it over, thought about it, and eventually came to the conclusion that I was being shortchanged by a ton. And maybe I could have argued for a better deal - my story was already pretty damn popular on Royal Road by now - but should I bother? I knew that self-publishing would be much harder, sure. I would have to advertise for myself, get my own cover art, and re-edit Book 1 without assistance. But the profits would be mine. The success would be mine.

The next few months were easily the busiest time of my life. And it was absolutely 100% worth it. Take your 30% royalties and shove it, Company X.

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It's Reyn Time.