Need help with selling the rights to an image...

I was approached by a book publisher I know today and he asked me if I would be interested in the selling the rights to one of my images for a book cover. I told him I would be interested. He informed me that he sent the image to the author and strongly suggested using it for the cover. He then added that he doesn't know if the author will or not because of costs. That's where we left it.

I have to be honest here, I have no idea what to charge for something like this. From what I have read so far, I know I need to retain the copyright and request that I receive credit for the image. I assume this will be a single edition. Therefore, lets say this is a single edition of a book with my image on the cover.

Please share with me what YOU would charge and why?

Also, I understand it is important to define a period of time of use. However, with this being a book that could sell for years to come, should I limit the use to X years or just go with a flat rate fee?

If we do agree to say a 2 year agreement, that means I can not sell that image to anyone else for two years, right?

You need to draw up a licence for the first print run only - so if the book is reprinted you'll get a second fee. You also need to know how many books are being printed before you can give an accurate quote.

If they want exclusive use make the fee much higher. Ideally though you want it non-exclusive so you can re-sell the image when the book is released.

Without knowing the print run though you can't really price it.

How would you charge for the following?

10,000 copies exclusive?
10,000 copies non-exclusive?

At least that will give me a starting point. If they come back and say the first print is less copies I can negotiate from there.

Ask what they are budgeted for. If they want exclusive for the first run, just remember the to are making money from and with books first thing they notice is the cover. Then they notice the author. If they don't want exclusive, now once the book is out and you the only one who can sell that photograph beside what is on the book.
Make sure you register it with the us registry office. Don't forget to ask if they intend to print posters and larger sizes for the book signings, if there are to be any. If they only pay for the cover, they can not print for anything else.
They already know this. Don't let them bluff you any other way than ten direction you wish to go.
And by all means make sure the include
Cover photograph by ___________, the less they pay the larger you insist they print it.
They have money, if they like the cover and know it will help sell there book.
If they are an unknown author, they know the cover and cover alone can make or break them.
Also the publisher knows what cover prints go for their cost wise. Don't let them rodeo you into a corner.
If the writer likes it, they will use it.

Now with all that bla yada, if you wish to let it go cheap, make sure it's not an exclusive. Make sure your name is there in easy readable print either on the inside of the cover or the first page.

In any event do what you will be happy with, feeling no regrets.

It's just like postcards they buy it for the artwork first, wording second.

@ 2 cents a copy it is only, 200$ humm I wonder what they will charge for the book on the first run.
See if that author has another books out. Find out what the first run sold off the book shelf for.

Thanks THM, I really appreciate the tips. If nothing else, this will give me a list of questions to ask them, which will show them I have done my homework. If they think I have done my homework then they are probably more likely to offer me a fair fee. The guy I know works for the publisher and I know he will be straight with me. If the fee is too low, then it won't be exclusive.

I'm starting to understand the exclusive and non-exclusive side of things. If they want exclusive for two years, then I can't sell that image for two years, right? If that is the case, I can use that as part of the fee agreement. The publisher knows I am building a portfolio to sell. I don't think he will let the guy take advantage of me. But, to be honest, this is my first step in this direction. So, the fact I could use that to my advantage is worth something. Having an image on the cover of a book in nice for the resume. LOL

Thanks again for the advice!

Sounds like a vanity publishing company--the author is paying the publishing costs himself. A "real" publisher would be footing that cost (even for an unknown writer) and would not have any cost issues to ask the author about.

Check the bona fides of the publisher--look online or go to your library and check a copy of "Writer's Market." See if they actually have anything to offer.

RDKirk wrote in post #11166785
Sounds like a vanity publishing company--the author is paying the publishing costs himself. A "real" publisher would be footing that cost (even for an unknown writer) and would not have any cost issues to ask the author about.

Check the bona fides of the publisher--look online or go to your library and check a copy of "Writer's Market." See if they actually have anything to offer.

Good point! It is a smaller publisher and they work with specific authors. I know the guy that approached me really well, I just don't know a lot about his work. We have known each other for about 5 years.

Thanks for that insight. I'll ask him who's paying for it and see where it goes from there. But you are probably right, it's probably the author that is paying for it. To be honest, I'm not sure if he is waiting for the author to approve the image or approve paying for it.