This was so insightful! I had no idea that IP and Book Packagers were even a thing. Thank you for enlightening the masses. Alexa, would you ever consider making a video explaining the Intellectual Property/Copyright goings on of selling an original work to a publisher? It's one of the things I think many people, myself included, are concerned about when thinking about a hopeful career as an author.
My whole working career was in book publishing-I’m now a full time freelancer focusing primarily on nonfiction-and your summary is brilliant. As you mentioned, it’s an incredibly complex topic, but you managed to boil it down to the essentials very well.
This is really really useful. Someone mentioned IP deals to me and I had to google it and this was the only good resource I could find. Thank you so much for talking about these things on your channel!
Is one possible reason for secrecy that readers may pass on a book they feel was somehow more 'manufactured' in these packaged deals? The packages seem a lot more 'corporate' and, although a story is a story is a story, some people may feel that it's more 'fake'. So much current content consumed by young people now days is 'authentic' and 'real', as in RUclips, Twitter, Twitch, Instagram, etc., (and yes, it's debatable that these things are authentic). I'm just curious if that might cross the minds of the packagers.
I think you're right. There's this idea that books are written by a lone creative genius, so by admitting a book is a ip that can ruin that image for some readers.
Thank you for making these videos! I especially love when you talk in depth about the publishing industry and how it works. How did you learn all you know about the publishing industry? Are there any specific websites and blogs about publishing that you read and recommend? And how do you keep up to date on publishing news and trends, especially within your genre? I would love to learn how writers can familiarize themselves with the industry before they jump into trying to get published.
In other videos, Alexa has recommended subscribing to Publishers Weekly magazine and the Publishers Marketplace web site. Neither is cheap, but I think they are going to be far superior to anything you’re going to find for free online.
Just came over from Laura's live stream lol I have learned so much, and the idea of getting into IP or book packaging sounds like an avenue I might want to pursue. Thanks for the info, Alexa.
Honestly, the moment you mentioned them thinking of ideas for diverse books, my first thought was "When Dimple Met Rishi" I have no idea how I guessed it, but I'm slightly impressed with myself. Nice video! This was really interesting.
OMG THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!! I have been wondering the packaging thing and what it means and all that. This really helps a lot with thinking options since I haven't published anything yet... Unless you count fanfics XD
This was so interesting, a side of the business I knew very little about. I learn so much from your videos! I do remember Victoria Schwab mentioning in one of her blogs that she did some work for Scholastic, of course now they proudly parade her name on their series since it can only add to their popularity.
Amazing detail. Thank you thank you! Do you know at what stage the contract is negotiated? I was asked to audition, and the packager offered their standard flat rate of $5k for the whole book (MG, 40-50k words) plus 10% royalties. That’s much lower than 30% obvs. But I haven’t signed a contract yet. When would I negotiate? For additional context, this audition was specifically for unpublished MG authors.
that sultry eye look is luscious and i plan to try it myself--i own a shadow called bronze by mac and i'll bet it is similar although the glossy look your own has seems a little more difficult to achieve... your mind is pretty shiny, too, ms. alexa: admirable.
If I remember correctly the Roswell books were an IP that got turned into a TV show while the books were still in development (hence the deviations) I believe the author was established but not breaking records, though I'm going by memory so I may be wrong.
I heard a little bit about IP publishing & License Content writing from the TSR/Wizards of the Coast/D&D. This is one of the few that you can get in with your own original idea, but you have to be willing to play in the same 'sandbox'. You might be able to get in as a new author for license content if the brand is new to the publishing industry, but you still need an agent. I personally wouldn't mind working in such a collaborative project, I think it would a really fun experience (once you square away your financial rights). Plus, I think self-publish authors should agent up and get into these auditions. I think it would be a big boon for them, as well. This is a great video and I love how you organized it all--thank you!
WoTC has really battened down the hatches on this lately though. You can create supplemental material for DnD but not new worlds (unless you have broken out as a star that has drawn attention to the brand such as Critical Role)
Wow, this video was so informative. I wish the Brazilian publishing industry worked the same way. It would be amazing to have all these options to work with. I thrive in colaborative works, but they don't seem to be a thing here.
Amazing and interesting new info, as always! haha :D I have a (few) questions, If I am not a publised author, is it harder' How do you recomend to approach it? Also, it would be amazing if you made a video all about how to audition for these kinds of contracts!
I've been working to find CP's in different writing groups. I've reviewed a few different opening chapters for different people. I've been asked twice now to ghost write stories for other people. Is that weird? Feels weird.
I’m curious, are there ever cases when book packagers don’t pay an advance and the writer gets initially paid when the project sells? This video was very informative!
How do publishers and authors balance between what is popular (like how vampires use to be popular) and what is a new idea that could become popular (Dragon shifters)?
An IP con I have heard of is if you're hired to write novelisations of something from a different medium, it being impossible to keep up with the original series or in the case of the original pre-Disney Star Wars novels successfully anticipate future instalments and spin-offs no one could have anticipated that could contradict the book they were writing at the time. One great and probably a lot obscure example to those outside the original IP's most dedicated fan base was a series of novels based on the early installments to a video game series called Resident Evil. The author on top of producing novelisations of the first two games had also written two original stories, one that took place between the two games and another following the second game. But the author could not have kept writing such novels and stay up to date with future sequels in development. Like in book all of the remaining original cast of characters leave for Europe right before the ficitional city it takes place in is overrun by zombies and the events of the game it was based off kicks off. Two books later and the first one to come with a disclaimer were the author made it clear she knew the inconsistencies that could not be avoided with games still being made she had no involvement in (and soon other novelisations of the movies based on those games). Resulting in one of those said characters suddenly now changed their mind and stayed behind to investigate further. Or having to hastily create a scenario where a character who in her books had stuck around after fleeing the zombie invested city (which she had not in the games but went of on her on mission if you will) still got arrested under the same/ similar circumstances in the game that book was based on. So that is a funny business on that front I guess. Also a con for ghostwriters I can think of was from reading what was technically a licensed IP book, but it was a ghost writer hired to write the until then non exisistent novel within a TV series written by the fictional title character, who is still the only one to receive any credit for it. Shame because I what to know, if anything, what else that author had written. It was called God Hates Us All with the ghost writer credited as Hank Moody the title character from the long since ended Showtime series Californication. There are a few others that come to mind but in those cases they were tie-in books probably written by the producers of the show and where as things like: - Bad self-help books (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Guides to living in the fictional town or city where it is based, sometimes even once non existent books featured in the show (The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation) - A secret agents guide to being a secret agent (Archer) or any main characters guide to life (The Simpsons again)
I'm a bit late, but how do you get started with looking for jobs like these? If i wanted to audition for an IP for example, where would I begin to look? Do I need an agent who can connect me? How would I get an agent if I have nothing published/not actively working with an agent on a project? Thanks!
For most opportunities, you need an agent. Some packagers I mention in the video do audition unagented authors--Alloy, Glasstown, and Cake Literary do, but I don't think they advertise it/provide public information on how to get in touch. Typically you need to network within the author community and you can get connected that way. I highly recommend making sure you're on social media, networking with the aspiring writer community, and actively working on your own projects. It's chicken and egg: you have to prove you can write your own novels, well, and get networked into the industry before you can get your foot in the door here. But once you've done that work, it is possible to do packaged books w/o an agent, but not the bigger IP projects.
Thanks for asking this question! I came to the comments looking for just this information. I'm interested in looking into this, but Google is providing me with almost no info about how to go about "auditioning" to places if you're unpublished/unagented. I actually have a great network, but it's a very professional network (from my job) and not a chummy network and I'd feel so awkward just emailing out of the blue to say hey, can you hook me up with some info? Haha. Alexa, thanks so much for putting this video together! You did a really great job of laying all that info out and making it sound pretty appealing. Your videos are always so clear and helpful.
So... what did we learn today? As I am slow, English isn't my mother tongue and where I live there's not known the place for a ghost writer and I think all the rest just don't exist... Maybe in next life. I still won't be surprised if my book will only get on watpadd (optimistic, right?)
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This was so insightful! I had no idea that IP and Book Packagers were even a thing. Thank you for enlightening the masses. Alexa, would you ever consider making a video explaining the Intellectual Property/Copyright goings on of selling an original work to a publisher? It's one of the things I think many people, myself included, are concerned about when thinking about a hopeful career as an author.
Spectacular yes, same! Alexa, please make a video on copyright and which rights exactly you sell when signing a book deal
You are a superstar for putting all of this info together for other writers. I feel so educated.
This is so interesting! Thanks for unveiling the mystery.
I love how you go deep into these topics!
Hi Alexa, could you make a video explaining sub rights/foreign rights, selling vs. keeping them and what agents/publishers prefer? xx
My whole working career was in book publishing-I’m now a full time freelancer focusing primarily on nonfiction-and your summary is brilliant. As you mentioned, it’s an incredibly complex topic, but you managed to boil it down to the essentials very well.
This is really really useful. Someone mentioned IP deals to me and I had to google it and this was the only good resource I could find. Thank you so much for talking about these things on your channel!
Thank you so much for these traditional publishing these videos. They're so helpful in de-mystifying the publishing industry
Amazing video. I learned so much! Thank you for your unique videos on the publishing industry.
Is one possible reason for secrecy that readers may pass on a book they feel was somehow more 'manufactured' in these packaged deals? The packages seem a lot more 'corporate' and, although a story is a story is a story, some people may feel that it's more 'fake'. So much current content consumed by young people now days is 'authentic' and 'real', as in RUclips, Twitter, Twitch, Instagram, etc., (and yes, it's debatable that these things are authentic). I'm just curious if that might cross the minds of the packagers.
I think you're right. There's this idea that books are written by a lone creative genius, so by admitting a book is a ip that can ruin that image for some readers.
Thank you for making these videos! I especially love when you talk in depth about the publishing industry and how it works.
How did you learn all you know about the publishing industry? Are there any specific websites and blogs about publishing that you read and recommend? And how do you keep up to date on publishing news and trends, especially within your genre? I would love to learn how writers can familiarize themselves with the industry before they jump into trying to get published.
There are quite a few authortube channels that talk about this sort of thing. Alexa is one of the best but the others have their merits as well.
In other videos, Alexa has recommended subscribing to Publishers Weekly magazine and the Publishers Marketplace web site. Neither is cheap, but I think they are going to be far superior to anything you’re going to find for free online.
Just came over from Laura's live stream lol I have learned so much, and the idea of getting into IP or book packaging sounds like an avenue I might want to pursue. Thanks for the info, Alexa.
Honestly, the moment you mentioned them thinking of ideas for diverse books, my first thought was "When Dimple Met Rishi" I have no idea how I guessed it, but I'm slightly impressed with myself. Nice video! This was really interesting.
I am so glad you made this! Very enlightening!
OMG THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!! I have been wondering the packaging thing and what it means and all that. This really helps a lot with thinking options since I haven't published anything yet... Unless you count fanfics XD
Wow this is a lot to process but I am grateful for your insights. Thanks so much for your transparency.
This was so interesting, a side of the business I knew very little about. I learn so much from your videos! I do remember Victoria Schwab mentioning in one of her blogs that she did some work for Scholastic, of course now they proudly parade her name on their series since it can only add to their popularity.
Great information! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Loved this! Thanks for sharing, Alexa! :)
This is very informative. Thank you for the content.
Amazing detail. Thank you thank you!
Do you know at what stage the contract is negotiated? I was asked to audition, and the packager offered their standard flat rate of $5k for the whole book (MG, 40-50k words) plus 10% royalties. That’s much lower than 30% obvs. But I haven’t signed a contract yet. When would I negotiate?
For additional context, this audition was specifically for unpublished MG authors.
Wow, this is so interesting! I've never heard of book packagers before. Thanks for the video :)
Great video, Alexa! Awesome information given so succinctly.
that sultry eye look is luscious and i plan to try it myself--i own a shadow called bronze by mac and i'll bet it is similar although the glossy look your own has seems a little more difficult to achieve... your mind is pretty shiny, too, ms. alexa: admirable.
If I remember correctly the Roswell books were an IP that got turned into a TV show while the books were still in development (hence the deviations) I believe the author was established but not breaking records, though I'm going by memory so I may be wrong.
I love the small Christmas trees on your shelf. ^^ 🎄☃️❄️🌟✨
I heard a little bit about IP publishing & License Content writing from the TSR/Wizards of the Coast/D&D. This is one of the few that you can get in with your own original idea, but you have to be willing to play in the same 'sandbox'. You might be able to get in as a new author for license content if the brand is new to the publishing industry, but you still need an agent. I personally wouldn't mind working in such a collaborative project, I think it would a really fun experience (once you square away your financial rights). Plus, I think self-publish authors should agent up and get into these auditions. I think it would be a big boon for them, as well. This is a great video and I love how you organized it all--thank you!
WoTC has really battened down the hatches on this lately though. You can create supplemental material for DnD but not new worlds (unless you have broken out as a star that has drawn attention to the brand such as Critical Role)
Hey, can someone tell me how to find publishers looking for IP authors? I can't seem to figure it out 😣
Wow, this video was so informative. I wish the Brazilian publishing industry worked the same way. It would be amazing to have all these options to work with. I thrive in colaborative works, but they don't seem to be a thing here.
Amazing and interesting new info, as always! haha :D I have a (few) questions, If I am not a publised author, is it harder' How do you recomend to approach it?
Also, it would be amazing if you made a video all about how to audition for these kinds of contracts!
This was so helpful!! Thank you!
thank you so much for sharing all of this amazing information!
that's a lot of very useful information! thanks a lot for sharing!
Thank you SO MUCH for this!
I've been working to find CP's in different writing groups. I've reviewed a few different opening chapters for different people. I've been asked twice now to ghost write stories for other people. Is that weird? Feels weird.
So where do packagers find all the successful ideas and the publishers for their IP projects?
I’m curious, are there ever cases when book packagers don’t pay an advance and the writer gets initially paid when the project sells? This video was very informative!
This is so interesting!
How do publishers and authors balance between what is popular (like how vampires use to be popular) and what is a new idea that could become popular (Dragon shifters)?
An IP con I have heard of is if you're hired to write novelisations of something from a different medium, it being impossible to keep up with the original series or in the case of the original pre-Disney Star Wars novels successfully anticipate future instalments and spin-offs no one could have anticipated that could contradict the book they were writing at the time.
One great and probably a lot obscure example to those outside the original IP's most dedicated fan base was a series of novels based on the early installments to a video game series called Resident Evil. The author on top of producing novelisations of the first two games had also written two original stories, one that took place between the two games and another following the second game. But the author could not have kept writing such novels and stay up to date with future sequels in development.
Like in book all of the remaining original cast of characters leave for Europe right before the ficitional city it takes place in is overrun by zombies and the events of the game it was based off kicks off. Two books later and the first one to come with a disclaimer were the author made it clear she knew the inconsistencies that could not be avoided with games still being made she had no involvement in (and soon other novelisations of the movies based on those games). Resulting in one of those said characters suddenly now changed their mind and stayed behind to investigate further. Or having to hastily create a scenario where a character who in her books had stuck around after fleeing the zombie invested city (which she had not in the games but went of on her on mission if you will) still got arrested under the same/ similar circumstances in the game that book was based on.
So that is a funny business on that front I guess.
Also a con for ghostwriters I can think of was from reading what was technically a licensed IP book, but it was a ghost writer hired to write the until then non exisistent novel within a TV series written by the fictional title character, who is still the only one to receive any credit for it. Shame because I what to know, if anything, what else that author had written.
It was called God Hates Us All with the ghost writer credited as Hank Moody the title character from the long since ended Showtime series Californication.
There are a few others that come to mind but in those cases they were tie-in books probably written by the producers of the show and where as things like:
- Bad self-help books (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
- Guides to living in the fictional town or city where it is based, sometimes even once non existent books featured in the show (The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation)
- A secret agents guide to being a secret agent (Archer) or any main characters guide to life (The Simpsons again)
Sorry for the big comment, could have overloaded the comments section breaking this down into smaller posts.
I'm a bit late, but how do you get started with looking for jobs like these? If i wanted to audition for an IP for example, where would I begin to look? Do I need an agent who can connect me? How would I get an agent if I have nothing published/not actively working with an agent on a project? Thanks!
For most opportunities, you need an agent. Some packagers I mention in the video do audition unagented authors--Alloy, Glasstown, and Cake Literary do, but I don't think they advertise it/provide public information on how to get in touch. Typically you need to network within the author community and you can get connected that way. I highly recommend making sure you're on social media, networking with the aspiring writer community, and actively working on your own projects. It's chicken and egg: you have to prove you can write your own novels, well, and get networked into the industry before you can get your foot in the door here. But once you've done that work, it is possible to do packaged books w/o an agent, but not the bigger IP projects.
@@AlexaDonne Huh, okay. I wish I was good at networking, haha. Thanks so much for the speedy response!!
Thanks for asking this question! I came to the comments looking for just this information. I'm interested in looking into this, but Google is providing me with almost no info about how to go about "auditioning" to places if you're unpublished/unagented. I actually have a great network, but it's a very professional network (from my job) and not a chummy network and I'd feel so awkward just emailing out of the blue to say hey, can you hook me up with some info? Haha.
Alexa, thanks so much for putting this video together! You did a really great job of laying all that info out and making it sound pretty appealing. Your videos are always so clear and helpful.
License author I can think of that I wouldn't mind doing is a spin off of Descendents Mallisa Da LA Cruz did this really well
Would James Patterson be a packager?
So... what did we learn today? As I am slow, English isn't my mother tongue and where I live there's not known the place for a ghost writer and I think all the rest just don't exist... Maybe in next life. I still won't be surprised if my book will only get on watpadd (optimistic, right?)
Love the video
holy shit, that story about someone ghostwriting a book and having it turned into a tv show is sooo messed up, poor author!!!