I recently vistited a publishers website and their guidelines said that their published authors receive 30% of the profits.Is that good or bad?As a first time writer , I have no knowledge of the publishing tradeAll advice greatly appreciated!

that sounds like a vanity press or self publisher...you dont want that

On my books, I receive about $2.50 on every $29 book that my publisher sells.If you self-publish, the percentage is higher, but you have to market it yourself.... but look into the self-publishers, because if you are an extroverted go-getter, then self-publishing can be a good deal.The 30% sounds hoaky.

That's ridiculous. And "30% of the profits" isn't industry language.A book deal usually consists of an advance, which is an advance amount based on what the publisher thinks your book will make. A book deal might be, for example, a $50,000 advance, and if it's hardcover, maybe 10% royalties. And every deal is negotiated separately, so a website that states some flat amount - particularly one that high - is screaming "bogus."This is also, by the way, what agents are for.It's possible - though difficult - to find someone to publish your book without an agent.You absolutely want an agent's help in securing a decent deal.