1. Q. What percentage of sales do authors receive?
A. First and Best pays royalties of 7.5%.
2. Q. How often and when do you pay royalties?
A. Royalties are paid twice yearly, calculated at the end of April and
October. Payments and statements are sent out within the following
three months. Any amounts due which are less than £10 are carried
forward until the next payment date.
3. Q. How do you market our books?
A. First and Best sell most of its books through direct mail which is the
most efficient way to reach teachers. We also do some email marketing.
4. Q. Why is my book not selling when all these others are selling well?
A. The answer usually is that many of the books published by First and
Best are highly speculative and would not be taken on by other
publishers. Sometimes we are highly successful in selling these books
but sometimes it does not work despite our best efforts. In any event
please remember that First and Best wants to sell your books as much
as you do and we are constantly looking for new ways to advertise or
present them.
5. Q. Can I have my rights back?
A. If a book has not been selling well we are sometimes approached by
the author asking if he/she can have the rights back in order that he
can try to sell the book elsewhere. Strictly speaking this is covered by
the contract which states that if First and Best has not advertised your
book for a year you can demand the rights to your book back. In
practice where an author approaches us, and we can see that despite
our best efforts sales have been disappointing, we would consider
releasing him/her from the contract. But this is at our discretion and
it must be remembered that we may be in the process of advertising
that book in a different way and may not be in a position to grant your
request immediately. Any approaches must be made in writing -
please do not phone us on this matter.
6. Q. What should I send in with my initial submission of a proposal?
A. See book submission check list.
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