A book publisher has asked permission and conditions for a piece of CG artwork I created, that they stumbled across and would like to use for a cover (a well know SF author).
I haven’t really done this before, and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, or resources on how to figure my fee.
They are printing 8 - 10,000 copies.
Any help would be much appreciated! I have to give them an answer by tomorrow!
thanks,
cmyk
Tonight I will try to remember to look it up in my copy of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines for Graphic Designers. Is this a full color piece? Will it be just the cover or wrap to the back? Generally it is flat fee + royalty per piece.
I asked your question on a horror board where lots of writers and artists hang out.
Here’s what one of them said:
“This is such a touchy subject, because you don’t want to scare them away, yet you don’t want to screw yourself either. Will he be comfortable getting $500 for the 1st NA publication rights? That’s low for some mass-market paperback publishers, but top line for others. Rights to the image are really as important as the fee. Will this just be a print-publication or will this image show up in other media as well? Your friend should address this and get paid according to where the image will actually be used. Use of the image in advertising and promotion is always gratis with me, and I would suggest the same for him.”
thank you for your replies, they were very helpful… I’ve made them an offer and we’ll see what happens.
Congrats on the possibility. I hope everything works out for the best.
Yes. Let us know how this turns out.
Here is another book recommendation for graphic artists.
I certainly will… i should know by this time tomorrow.
and thanks again, all!
FWIW, Pricing and Ethical Guidelines says $1200 - $2500 for hardcover covers, with paperback rights being 50% additional, unlimited use for one year 40 - 100%, total copyright transfer is 150-200% . That’s for a “minor distribution” and for custom work done for that book.
Congrats! I hope we will see your work in print!
An agreement has been reached and they’re using it for their cover! In case anyone is interested, the art they came across can be seen here:
And they want to use it for Neal Stephenson’s reprint of Zodiac.
Obviously, the art wasn’t custom made for the story, but I can see how it fits the imagery.
Thanks again for all the advise, everyone! You guys rock.
Oh, and I’m taking the “Villain” logo out for them.
Very nice! Both the art and the Stephenson cover. 