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I wrote three books in 2000. I can say several things.
>
> 1) Rigorous deadlines. To write an Oracle book we were given 3 months, a
> $12,000 advance, and nothing but problems. We get 10% royalties. My
husband
> is an accomplished programmer, smarter then most, and has been using
Oracle
> for 6 years. His book was found unacceptable after 6 months. The publisher
> got the whole book and then decided he didn't like it.
>
> 2) My HTML Bible was $5000 advance, 5% royalties, 50% on translations. Now
> that's all after the agents 15% commission. On everything.
>
> 3) My PS2 book was $3500 advance, 5% royalties, 50% on foreign rights.
> Royalties are paid bi-annually.
>
> For most royalties it ain't much money. $5000 is all I get from the HTML
> Bible, and this is doled out from February to June. The book came out in
> July. They send statements every month, but they don't pay on the
statements
> for 6 months.
>
> I advise someone that is a programmer and not a writer to think, really
> think about this endeavor. He may get burned.
>
> My agent represents computer book writers. Waterside.com, Chris Van Buren.
> chris -at- waterside -dot- com Tell him Michele Davis sent you!
>
> A friend has asked me for advice on a book deal.
>
> He's a fairly accomplished programmer who's been approached by a
> publisher about writing a programming book. He came to me for advice
> about what kind of deal is typical, what percentage he should ask for,
> etc.
>
> I'm out of touch with writing for third party publication. Anybody
> have any advice on this? Or URLs on the topic? Pointers to a good
> agent?
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