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Subject:RE: Contract for a book From:"Humphries, Ola" <Ola -dot- Humphries -at- Energy -dot- Sungard -dot- com> To:"'R. Armstrong'" <rarmstrong -at- alpha -dot- ipswitch -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:54:04 -0500
Figure out what your "true" hourly rate is (include ALL your perks, even the
company matching of your 401K and any holiday or vacation time your company
gives you), then ask for that amount per hour. If your hourly rate is $50,
then you get $50 times 40 (hours per week) times 3 (weeks) or $6000 for this
project. True, a newbie would take more time doing the project, but would be
paid "newbie" rates.
Ola Humphries
SunGard, Houston, TX
-----Original Message-----
From: R. Armstrong [mailto:rarmstrong -at- alpha -dot- ipswitch -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 9:58 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Contract for a book
I am on my way out the door at this job, but before I leave, the Marketing
department wants me to write a book for them. They want it to be a short
'Dummies Guide' (48 pages,) but are willing to let me keep author credit
and pay me a contract rate. If they went with someone else, they would have
to spend more time and money on training that person. I'm already an SME on
the theme for the book.
Since this is the first time I've ever considered this type of proposal, I
am completely stumped when it comes to how much I should charge for writing
the book. I know that the book is to be used 'mostly' as marketing
collateral, so asking for a percentage of sales would be rather worthless.
I have though about charging per page, or per hour. I know it should take
about 3 weeks of full time work to do the research and writing, so I could
have a decent estimate on the cost if I charged by the hour. Unfortunately,
I'm not sure what that hourly rate should be.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. I seem to remember a similar
thread some time back, but I couldn't find it in the archive.
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