Well hello there, Gentle Reader.

I get a great many questions from readers about being an author. Many I could probably have guessed at and a few surprise me. Here’s a selection of some of the most common things I’m asked (online and in person) specifically about the author business side of things.

Part of Miss Gail’s Occasional FAQ series.

1. What edition should I buy that gives the author the most money?

Honestly, the first time someone asked me this I was genuinely flummoxed. Now I realize it comes from a place of patronage, really wanting to support the author.

So thank you for even thinking to ask this question!

For my indie (self-published) projects ~ the publisher will be listed as GAIL CARRIGER LLC …

Here it is in order of “the most money comes directly to me” via royalties…

I genuinely do not know the order of…

Traditionally published (digital/print/foreign editions & translations) 3rd party indirect sellers (on Amazon & elsewhere like Book Depository)

Yes, I can figure out how much I am theoretically owed via my contracts but with advances, flash sales, discounts, distribution, wholesale deals, subscription models, returns, and licensing fees this is unbelievably difficult to tease out.

I don’t get any $ from…

Used copies Charity auctions Charity foreign edition sales Giveaways

I’m talking purely fiscally here. There is a return on many of these, it just isn’t always in hard cash. Also, this is dependent on my own business model so other authors may vary.

2. Where do you get your ideas?

My arse, if I sit on it long enough.

Seriously?

I pay very close attention to my friends when they’re drunk, but usually inspiration comes to me when I’m contemplating the absurdity of the universe and at the most inconvenient time – like in the shower.

3. Was being an author always a goal for you?

You betcha. Along with sleeping in Pompeii, owning a motorcycle, traveling to Egypt, and eating guinea pig.

Four out of five ain’t bad.

4. What are your least favorite parts to write?

The nookie and the humor. It’s true what they say; it is harder to make people laugh than cry. With the smooching scenes, I keep embarrassing myself.

5. What’s the best thing I can do to help an author?

Buy the book. Leave a review. Follow the author in a way that means you’ll know when their next book comes out: Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads | Newsletter

Other things are sweet and thoughtful: tribute, fan mail, cosplay, social media interaction, but honestly the absolute nicest thing you can do for any author is leave them a review.

I have a career because YOU spread the word and shared the love.

For no other reason.

You.

Hey, thanks for that.

Yours forever,

Miss Gail

Want more like this?

{Coop de Book: Gail’s monthly read along for July 2017 is The Sumage Solution by G. L. Carriger.}

BOOk DE JOUR!

The Sumage Solution: San Andreas Shifters #1 by G. L. Carriger

Contemporary m/m paranormal romance featuring a snarky mage and a gruff werewolf. Hella raunchy. Super dirty. Very very fun. Spin off of Marine Biology.

Can a gentle werewolf heal the heart of a smart-mouthed mage?

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Gail’s guest blog post for Horn Book Review: Fashion-Forward Vampires and the Power of Humor in Genre Fiction

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