Royalty Info
How much royalty do I earn for each e-book I sell?
100%
You will receive every penny of your e-book sales through the Booktango Bookstore which means every dollar you generate is yours. You will receive 100 percent of the net payments if sold through another channel. This royalty structure is good for the life of any Booktango e-book you publish through July 4, 2012.
Royalties will not be paid on copies provided free of charge.
The exact amount you earn from each e-book you sell could differ depending on if the sale is made directly from Booktango or through another retailer. Retailers take a higher percentage which results in lower royalty percentages for you. Below we outlined different scenarios: one royalty payment if a reader purchases a book from Booktango and one royalty payment if a reader purchases a book from another retailer.
Here's an example of a common sales transaction if you publish your book by July 4, 2012:
The list price for your book is $4.99.
The Transaction/Retailer Fee varies from vendor to vendor. (Booktango's bookstore fee is 0% of the list price.)
Your Royalty rate through the booktango.com Bookstore is 100%. (You get all of the sales.)
Your Royalty rate through channel partners (Amazon, Kobo, Apple, etc.) is 100% of net.
How much royalty you would earn if you publish your book before July 4, 2012:
Booktango Bookstore
List Price - Retailing/Transaction Fee = Net Sale x Royalty Rate = Royalty Earned
$4.99 - $0 = $4.99 x 100% = $4.99
Sample Retailer
List Price - Retailer Transaction Fees* = Net Sale x Royalty Rate = Royalty Earned
$4.99 - $2.19 = $2.80 x 100% = $2.80
* Retailer transaction fees differ by retailer and currently range from 20%-65%. Some vendors also charge an additional fee per sale of $0.25 per book. For retail sales, Booktango does not take any of this fee – it all goes to the retailer.
How much royalty you would earn if you publish your book after July 4, 2012:
Booktango Bookstore
List Price - Retailing/Transaction Fee = Net Sale x Royalty Rate = Royalty Earned
$4.99 - $1.50 (30% of List) = $3.49 x 100% = $3.49
Sample Retailer
List Price - Transaction/Other Fees* = Net Sale x Royalty Rate = Royalty Earned
$4.99 - $2.19 = $2.80 x 90% = $2.52
* Transaction fees differ by retailer and currently range from 20%-65%. Some vendors also charge an additional fee per sale of $0.25 per book.
TO THE TOP >>
Can I publish a book after July 4, 2012 and still receive the higher royalty rate?
NO
If you publish a book from now until July 4, 2012, the higher royalty rate will be locked in for the book(s) you publish during that time. You can't secure the royalty rate for any books you publish with Booktango after July 4, 2012.
TO THE TOP >>
Can I receive the higher royalty rate on my books I published before May 1, 2012?
YES
If you published a book with Booktango before May 1, 2012, the book will automatically be grandfathered in to the higher royalty rate for the life of the book.
TO THE TOP >>
Where do I see my sales?
ROYALTY REPORT
You will see your sales report when we send you your royalty check. Additionally, we'll help you track sales in an online royalty report from your account dashboard on the Booktango website. Please note that because external retailers operate on their own schedule, it can take time for them to report their sales information back to us. This means your online report will not be updated in real time for each sale you make. It may take up to 60 days after the close of the royalty quarter for sales information to be posted on your account.
TO THE TOP >>
When am I paid royalties?
EACH QUARTER*
First Quarter: January 1 to March 31 (checks available in late May)
Second Quarter: April 1 to June 30 (checks available in late August)
Third Quarter: July 1 to September 30 (checks available in late November)
Fourth Quarter: October 1 to December 31 (checks available in late February)
*You are paid for the books sold in the given quarter time frame once you reach the threshold of $75.00 or more.
TO THE TOP >>
How do you pay me?
CHECK OR DIRECT DEPOSIT
By default, your book sales royalties are paid by mailed check. Or, you can sign up for direct deposit by filling out and returning the form (download direct deposit form PDF). With direct deposit, instead of receiving mailed checks, your royalty payments will be deposited into your bank account. Please note: If you are paid by check, a $5.00 check fee will be deducted from your royalties; however, there is no fee for direct deposit payments.
When your royalty earnings for a book reach $75.00 or more, we will pay out your royalties on a quarterly basis (four times per year). We will continue to hold your royalties until the balance due to you is $75.00 or more, as stated in our publishing terms and conditions agreement.
TO THE TOP >>
How long does it take to receive payment?
TWO MONTHS AFTER QUARTER CLOSES
It takes about two months after the quarter closes until the royalty payments are sent to you. First Quarter checks are mailed in late May, Second Quarter checks are mailed in late August, Third Quarter checks are mailed in late November, and Fourth Quarter checks are mailed in late February. (See specifics in the FAQs above)
The two month timeframe is because we do not receive the reporting sales information until 30 days after the close of the quarter. Then, we need additional time to verify, compile and send the information to you.
TO THE TOP >>
Can my royalty check be split between a co-author and myself?
YES
By default, only you, the author/account holder, are paid royalties. However, you can split your royalty payments between two or more co-authors if you prefer. If you would like to arrange this, please contact a Booktango representative or use our Live Chat feature.
TO THE TOP >>
Can I arrange for someone else to receive my royalty payments?
YES, BUT...
Only if you transfer the entire rights of your agreement with Booktango to that person. That person will also hold the copyright for the book. If you would like to arrange this, please contact us.
TO THE TOP >>
Am I paid royalty when I purchase copies of my own book?
YES
Any purchases you make of your own e-book — whether through a retailer or our website — will be treated as any other sale of your e-book. Thus, you will most certainly receive royalty payments for each copy that you buy. In the end, it's basically like you're receiving an author discount.
TO THE TOP >>