What Is the Typical Royalty Rate for an Author?
The typical royalty rate for an author depends on the publishing model, book format, store, and contract. Traditional publishing royalties often range from about 5% to 15% for print books and around 20% to 25% for ebooks, while self-published authors commonly earn 35% to 70% of ebook sales depending on price, platform, territory, and fees.
| Publishing model | Typical royalty range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional paperback | 5% to 8% | Authors who want publisher support |
| Traditional hardcover | 10% to 15% | Authors with publisher-backed print releases |
| Traditional ebook | 20% to 25% | Authors with traditional contracts |
| Self-published ebook | 35% to 70% | Authors who want higher royalty per sale |
| Self-published print | Often 40% to 60% minus print costs | Authors using print-on-demand |
| Subscription aggregator | Store royalty minus fixed subscription cost | Authors with growing sales volume |
What Are Book Royalties?
How do book royalties work? Simply put, book royalties are how published authors get paid. The royalty rate refers to the percentage earned for every book sold, based on the retail price. Standard royalty rates differ between self-publishing and traditional publishing – the two main routes for publishing a book.
Author royalty = book price × royalty rate minus applicable fees or costs
Book royalties are not always calculated in the same way. Some royalty rates are based on the book’s list price, while others are based on net receipts, meaning the amount left after the retailer, distributor, or publisher has taken certain costs or fees.
Print royalties can be especially different from ebook royalties because printing costs are usually deducted before the author’s final earnings are calculated. Aggregators may also use different pricing models. Some take a percentage of each sale, while others charge a fixed subscription fee and let authors keep their net royalties from stores.
In traditional publishing, royalties may also be affected by an advance. If an author receives an advance payment, they usually do not receive additional royalty payments until the book has earned enough royalties to cover that advance. This is often called “earning out” the advance.
Differences Between Self-Publishing & Traditional Publishing
Before diving into the average book royalties you can expect as an author, it’s important to know which route you’ll take to publish your book. If you already know, feel free to skip to the next section. If you’re not sure, here’s a quick overview of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing:
| Traditional publishing | Self-publishing | |
| Rights | The publisher has the rights to your book deal. Exact conditions depend on the publisher. | You keep all the rights. |
| Decisions | The managing team makes most of the decisions. | You make all the decisions, from creative directions to promotional tactics. |
| Timing | Publishing a book can take years to accomplish. Landing a contract can be hard to achieve. | Your book can be on the shelves within months. You decide when you want to publish. |
| Average royalties for a book | Get around 10 to 15%, depending on the publisher and country. | Get anywhere from 35 to 70%, depending on the store. |
Traditional publishing involves sending queries to publishing houses in hopes of getting signed. When signed, you get the funding and support from a more established entity. However, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get published. Self-publishing is the alternative “indie” path where you take matters into your own hands and guarantee your publishing timeline.
When it comes to author royalty rates, you get a higher percentage when self-publishing (you are your own publisher, after all.) Let’s break down the numbers under both routes.
1. What Is the Typical Royalty Rate for an Author Under Traditional Publishing?
Generally, you can collect around 10% royalties while the publisher takes the rest. Here’s what you can expect across book formats:
- Paperback: 5-8% royalties
- Hardcover: 15% royalties
- Ebook: 20-25% royalties
- Audiobook: 25% royalties
So, let’s say your paperback retails at $20, and you’re contracted to receive 5% royalties. That means you earn $1 for every book sold. Selling a million copies would earn you a million dollars.
Depending on your contract, you may get a book deal advance, which is an advance payment made to authors in traditional publishing. If you don’t make enough money to pay back the advance, you’re not required to pay the advance back. But may not see another check.
If you’re wondering how much do authors get paid for their first book, know that especially for newbie authors, reaching a book advance can be a challenge. The average book deal for first-time authors can fall between $1,000 to $10,000, depending on factors like publisher size and competitor landscape. How much is a book deal worth for seasoned authors? It can go up to the millions.
Note: Contracts vary heavily by publisher, territory, author profile, and whether the royalty is based on list price or net receipts.
2. What Is the Typical Royalty Rate for an Author Under Self-Publishing?
Typical royalties for authors who self-publish vary a lot more compared to traditional publishing. But overall, you earn higher rates up to 70%.
Self-publishing takes place on an online platform. Here’s what to expect from the best self-publishing sites:
- Amazon KDP: Up to 70% royalties for books between $2.99 and $9.99. 35% if below $2.99.
- Apple Books: Up to 70% royalties for most books.
- Google Play Books: Up to 70% royalties for most books.
- Barnes & Noble: Up to 70% royalties for ebooks. 55% for prints.
- Kobo: Up to 70% royalties for books priced more than $2.99. 45% if below $2.99.
With PublishDrive, authors and publishers can distribute ebooks, print books, and audiobooks to global stores, online retailers, library networks, and subscription platforms while keeping 100% of their net royalties from sales channels. Instead of taking a percentage of every sale, PublishDrive uses subscription-based pricing, which can become more cost-effective as sales grow.
Through one platform, authors can reach major stores and reading platforms such as Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Everand, Tolino, Ingram, OverDrive, Dreame, Storytel, Spotify, and many more. This gives authors access to a wide global publishing network without having to manage separate accounts, uploads, metadata updates, royalty reports, and payment processes for each store.
For authors with a growing catalog, this can make a meaningful difference. The more books you publish and the more stores you reach, the more important it becomes to manage distribution, royalties, and reporting from one place. PublishDrive helps simplify that process while giving authors and publishers more control over where their books are sold and how their publishing business grows.
How Much Do Authors Make From Book Royalties?
All in all, how much money does the average author make? Here are insights from the 2023 US author income survey:
- Full-time authors had a median income of $10,000 from their books in 2022, which jumped to $20,000 with other author-related sources, such as blogging.
- The average income of an author under self-publishing, specifically, earned $12,800 from their books and $15,000 from other author-related sources. This is a 76% income surge since 2018.
To put it all together, here’s an example of how much you’d earn under traditional publishing and self-publishing side by side:
| Traditional publishing | Self-publishing | |
| Number of books sold | 6,000 copies | 6,000 copies |
| Book price |
$14.99 | $14.99 |
| Royalty rate |
10% | 60% |
| Income per book |
$1.79 | $5.74 |
| Estimated earnings | $10,740 | $34,440 |
That’s right. You earn more with a self-publishing model. This example does not include an advance. However, it’s important to remember that the publisher usually holds all royalties until the author has earned out their advance.
Of course, we can’t forget that self-publishing may require personal funding, as you take care of the entire publishing process. (Although, there are ways to publish and market a self-published book under a budget.)
A Higher Royalty Rate Does Not Always Mean Higher Income
A higher royalty percentage can help authors earn more from each sale, but it does not automatically mean higher total income. The amount an author actually earns depends on several factors, including the book’s price, format, sales volume, distribution model, and any fees or costs deducted before royalties are paid.
For example, an author earning 70% royalties on a $4.99 ebook may receive more per sale than an author earning 10% on a traditionally published paperback. However, if the traditionally published book sells at a much higher volume, has stronger bookstore placement, or benefits from publisher-funded marketing, the total income picture can look very different.
Book format also matters. Ebooks often have higher royalty percentages because there are no printing costs, while print books usually involve production costs that reduce the author’s final earnings. Audiobook royalties can vary depending on the platform, narrator costs, production model, and whether the audiobook is sold through retail stores, libraries, or subscription services.
Authors also need to consider fees. Some platforms deduct delivery fees, printing costs, or distribution charges. Some aggregators take a percentage of each sale, while others use a fixed subscription model. Marketing costs can also affect real income, especially for self-published authors who invest in advertising, cover design, editing, promotions, or launch campaigns.
In traditional publishing, royalties may also be delayed by an advance. If an author receives an advance, they usually do not receive additional royalty payments until the book has earned enough royalties to cover that advance. This is known as earning out.
Distribution strategy can make a difference too. Exclusive programs may offer certain promotional benefits, but wide distribution can help authors reach more readers across global stores, libraries, and subscription platforms. The best royalty model is not always the one with the highest percentage. It is the one that gives the author the strongest balance of earnings, reach, control, and long-term growth.
How to Earn More as a Self-Published Author
These tactics are useful for traditional authors, by the way. I just want to make sure our indies pay extra attention to these tips:
- Diversify your distribution strategy. This means publishing wide in every market possible. That also means providing your content in multiple formats such as ebook, audiobook, and print book. You want to reach every kind of book lover across numerous stores around the globe.
- Use a subscription-based aggregator. When you publish wide, save your time and energy by using an aggregation platform. An aggregator will take care of distributing your book to multiple places. And when choosing an aggregator, consider PublishDrive, a subscription-based aggregator that doesn’t take any of your net royalties. Read how authors earn more with subscription-based aggregation.
- Create a marketing plan. It’s going to take a smart marketing plan to successfully sell your book. Learn about what that entails and take the time to develop your strategy. Check this step-by-step guide on how to create a book marketing plan.
- Run ongoing promotions. Your marketing efforts should never end. Keep up with your social media presence. Prioritize collecting book reviews. Run periodic free or discounted sales events, a solid tactic for generating traffic. See these promotion success stories.
Last but not least, stay up to date with the trends. Connect with other authors and publishers. Don’t stop learning. You got this!
To recap everything:
- How much do publishers take from authors? Around 90% of royalties, giving you around 10%.
- What is the average royalty percentage for authors that self-publish? Around 35 to 70%.
- How much do authors make a year? Around $20,000, according to the 2023 US author income survey.
- How much does an author make per book? That depends on your royalty rate plus pricing strategy, dependent on your book format and genre.
The best royalty model depends on your goals. Traditional publishing may offer editorial, production, and retail support, but author royalty percentages are usually lower. Self-publishing gives authors more control and often higher royalty rates per sale. For authors and publishers building a long-term catalog, wide distribution and efficient royalty management can make a major difference to total earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average royalty rate for an author?
Most traditional authors earn around 5% to 15% on print books and around 20% to 25% on ebooks. Self-published authors often earn 35% to 70% on ebooks, depending on platform, price, and fees.
Do authors get paid for every book sold?
Usually yes, but traditional authors may not receive royalty payments until their advance has earned out.
What is a good royalty rate for a book?
For traditional publishing, 10% to 15% can be common for print. For self-publishing, 60% to 70% is strong for ebooks, though fees and distribution costs matter.
How much does an author make on a $10 book?
At 10%, the author earns $1. At 70%, the author earns $7 before any applicable fees, delivery costs, taxes, or production costs.
Do self-published authors make more royalties?
Usually, yes, per copy. But they also handle more of the publishing, production, and marketing work themselves.
What is the difference between gross royalties and net royalties?
Gross royalties are based on the book’s sale price. Net royalties are calculated after deductions such as retailer fees, discounts, printing costs, or taxes.
Does PublishDrive take a percentage of royalties?
PublishDrive’s subscription model lets authors keep 100% of net royalties from stores instead of giving up a percentage of every sale.
What Is the Typical Royalty Rate for an Author?
Now you know. What next? Hop over to PublishDrive to see just how easy it is to self-publish your book in every market possible. Manage your royalties, schedule book promotions, and more with a single dashboard.
What percentage of royalties do authors get with PublishDrive? 100% net royalties as if you’re self-publishing directly to stores (something other aggregators don’t do.)
“When you’re selling 5,000 books a month at 10% versus a flat fee of 100 bucks, that’s sort of a no-brainer...We can use PublishDrive, save a ton of money, and still reach the same audience and actually a bigger audience which is awesome too. When I first heard about that, I almost thought it was too good to be true.”
– Bestselling Indie Author Quinn Loftis