By Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

You signed on the dotted line. It’s your first contract with a traditional publisher, and you’re beaming. This is one of the most exciting moments for a debut author – signing that first contract. You’ve waited for this moment. Savor it.

But what happens next? Once that contract is signed, what happens to get the wheels turning? Well, here we go. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s chat. We’re going to talk as though there is an agent involved, so remember, if you are signing with a smaller house where an agent may not be required, things may vary just a tad (Vary – as in you will act as the agent).

*The contract is signed and returned

Our first inclination is to grab a pen and sign. After all, we’ve waited so long for this moment, but it’s never wise to whip out that pen immediately. Publishers will send the contract to the agent, not you. The job of an agent is to read through the contract first and negotiate regular agency changes. In other words, each agency likes specific things for their authors across the board, i.e., the number of free books, publication dates, and percentages on royalties, to name a few. Once your agent negotiates those details, they will forward you the contract. Take your time and read the contract carefully. It will tell you when the manuscript is due, what you can and cannot do with the rights to your work, advance, and payment schedules. If you don’t understand something, it’s okay. Ask your agent to explain it to you. This, like any contract you sign, needs to be something you fully understand. If you have things you’d like to see in the contract, discuss that with your agent. They will let you know if your requests are appropriate. If so, they’ll add that for the publisher to approve or disapprove. When you are comfortable, sign the contract and return it according to your agent’s instructions. Some contracts come via electronic signature, while others are hard copies. Follow your instructions closely and return. If you are sending hard copies, make a copy. You’ll receive a signed copy back, but it’s nice to have a progression of paperwork.

*Finish the manuscript

By finish, I mean, work hard to revise and polish the manuscript as much as possible. When completed, return it to your agent. The agent will keep a copy and forward one to the appropriate person at the publishing house.

*Deadlines

The best advice I can give you is this: MEET THEM ALL. There are always times when circumstances may require that you ask for an extension, i.e., a death, severe illness, etc. Writers write, and from the time you sign a contract, your thoughts need to be on being ahead of the contract deadlines, not after them. You may wonder why and it’s simple. Yours is not the only book in the pipeline. Editors are working on more than one book at a time. Advertising has a schedule, and design has an agenda. When you ask for an extension, it changes your timeline and messes with the timelines of other books ahead and behind you. Strive to be a superior author and turn your work in on time or better – early. Editors work hard. Do your part to make their work run smoothly.

*Bookcover and title

Go ahead, mourn both of those things now. More than likely, you will have no say in either. Marketing knows what will sell the book. They know what draws readers. What you have in mind is probably not what will catch the reader’s attention. The same goes with your title. Marketing will research your title to the max. Their goal is to find a title that is not overused or may send the reader to the wrong place if they do an internet search. Publishers are kind to show you what is coming up and ask your opinion. They may draw from your suggestion, but in the end, the decision lies with them. This is where you learn to trust and realize the publisher invested in you and your book financially. They are not in the business of making a book fail, so trust them. You will find in the end, they’re pretty smart cookies.

*Advances

The general rule for an advance (keeping in mind that it can vary according to the number of books you’ve published) is that it pays in two or three payments. When the contract is signed, a portion is forwarded in good faith. Upon completion and acceptance of the manuscript by the publisher, another amount pays. If the publisher chooses to make three payments – the third is negotiated with the agent. (This tends to happen with substantial advances).

When you receive a portion of your advance, the publisher will send you your portion less what is due to the agent’s agency. Yep, this is where your agent gets paid. Each time you receive funds via advance or royalties, your portion will be less the agent’s percentage.

Royalties are paid once to twice a year, depending on your publisher’s payment scale. I know what you’re going to ask. Why only once or twice a year? Well, the obvious answer is to say, wait until you SEE a royalty statement in all its complexity, but the truth is, compiling all the sales from the vast array of places simply takes time. It depends on how often the publisher receives them. For example, some retailers pay 90 days in arrears. Some pay quarterly or yearly. It’s a delicate dance between accounting and retail. Be patient. Each section, Kindle, paperback, ebooks, all have a different percentage that must be tabulated. Your royalty statement is a very complex accounting feat. And if that isn’t enough, you may not see a royalty payment for some time. If you were paid an advance (advance on your sales), that money repays from sales of your book until that advance is satisfied. This is why every writer needs to work hard to build a platform and do all they can to promote the sale of their book. The faster the book sales, the quicker the advance is repaid, the sooner you actually receive a royalty payment.

As you grow in your career and contracts come more frequently, you’ll see an adjustment in how things flow for you. Build a good relationship with your publisher. Do the same with marketing. When the publishing house enjoys working with you, when they know they can depend on you to come through, it helps when you pitch the next book.

Take time to understand the publishing process. There is a great deal more involved than most realize.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.