How much does an author make from a book or screenplay?

[Maetryx]

Maetryx here,

Just wondering what an author makes, percentage-wise, when they get a book published. For example, say I write a book or a screenplay and then get an agent: Would my agent be doing a good job if he got me 1% of gross? 10% ? 40% ? I have no idea.

Or is it even based on gross sales? Anyone have any inside knowledge on this process? Thanks.

edit Or just reply with something you know about writing or copyright or publishing or printing. It's all interesting.

 

[Maetryx]

Hmmmmmm. *I* thought it was an interesting question.

 

[ImTyping]

It depends on so many things that you cannot get a proper answer:
1) Is it a first novel? A first screenplay? Or are you an established author with lots of clips?
2) Are you a celebrity, or a regular joe?
3) Fiction or non-fiction?
4) Genre?

I know of writers who have made more for publishing fiction in Playboy than others do for publishing an entire (romance) novel!

Look at the woman who wrote the novel "First Wives Club." She garnered over 3 million between the novel and screenplay...and was pretty much a nobody before that.

 

[DefRef]

Book authors are paid an advance against royalties. Bigger authors (Clancy, King, Rowland) get HUGE up-front moneys.

Screenwriters are typically paid a flat-fee up front and that's it, or else they get the dreaded "net" points. Lately, some studios have started giving GROSS points to the top writers with proven track records. These writers get 1-2% of the gross receipts. You've got to write stuff like Lethal Weapon and Die Hard before you get that kind of deal. (Or win an Oscar!)