[NUJ.LFB] NUJ Rate for the Job:
Words, other / books

Updated: 02 March 2010

These rates have been reported by members of the National Union of Journalists and others, and printed in the Freelance, newsletter of London Freelance Branch. They are sorted by publisher/publication, then by date (most recent first). TIP: Use the "Find in page" command under your browser's "Edit" menu to be sure of finding all occurrences of a publication/publisher. AND do note the year in which the rate was reported! See also the Freelance Fees Guide, which gives general recommendations. And read the disclaimer and the key to exactly what the entries mean.

^ Words, other / books

Words whose primary purpose is to appear in a book. We'll worry about how to tabulate royalty deals when you send some.

* Tell us what you've been paid for Words, other / books * Freelance Fees Guide
Publication/Programme - details & terms        Group Year ¤ Basic fee Extras
1001 Horrid Facts writing (compiling) book of 1001 facts on specified topics all rights _Quantum 2006 GBP 3000 GR
Best Music Writing 2008 reuse of magazine feature non-exclusive, one use 2008 USD 250
Current Law Statutes writing up the annotations to a new statute with introductory chapter of 50,000 words. , all rights _Thomson 2008 GBP 250 XXX
National Geographic 400 words for glossy travel book 2009 GBP 40
Puzzle Books Writing an entire puzzle book or contributing to puzzle books as a joint author All rights of reproduction to Carlton - Basically, you have to give up all rights to your work and they constantly republish the puzzles. under other title names - even under other authors' names or translated _Carlton 2004 GBP 7000 0 GR XXXX
Rough Guide two months in France _Pearson 1998 GBP 2000 - X
Time Out Guides updating 32-page chapter of guidebook _TOut 2005 GBP 500 X
Time Out Guides update sports chapter _TOut 2008 GBP 200
Book, specialist leisure 35,000 words plus pre-production support Straight fee, no royalties, all rights (DIDN'T ACCEPT!) 2002 GBP 3000 0 XXXX
Campaigners book children's nonfiction publishers - planning contents, writing text, checking proofs all rights _Hach 2007 GBP 1800 GR
Children's book novelty format 32pp all rights assigned _Quarto 2004 GBP 2700
Children's nonfiction book planning contents, writing text, picture list, one picture meeting, captions and proof checking, approx 20,000 words all rights _Quarto 2007 GBP 3500 GR
Easyjet Destination Guides 620 words on destination - listings places to go etc. no expenses - they encourage you to ask for free meals at establishments to be listed! _Ink 2006 EUR 110 XXXX
Education books plan and write 4 books lesson plans / experiments / photocopiable sheets 4 books, each 152 pages all rights 2007 GBP 6000
Education CD-Rom (OUP) commissioning and editing school book texts, per hour 2007 GBP 25 X
Education CD-Rom proofing & re-editing CD-Rom for schools, per hour 2007 GBP 26
Educational books proofreading and re-editing school book texts, per hour _Pearson 2007 GBP 18 GR XX
Focus Guide Book 112 pages editorial, c500 words per page, plus flat-planning. offer refused world rights, non-exclusive after 6 months _Future 2005 GBP 3500 0 XX
Franklin Watts Books 48-page children's book , all rights 2009 GBP 1800 X
Macmillan / Film 4 Books 1000 x 100 word film reviews for Film Four Guide to Film exclusive rights over the work _Holtzb 2001 GBP 5000 0 XX
Nursing textbook 5000 word chapter plus podcasts , terms not even discussed - rejected the job! 2008 GBP 50 XXXX
Oxford University Press Blackstone Series Writing 450-page book on fraud law for police: no fee, promise 5% royalty - maximum income will be £1000 and all rights assigned 2008 GBP 0 X
Pen and Sword publishers researching and writing a 50,000 word book 2008 GBP 750 X
Popular science book research and write book of amazing science facts for children all rights 2007 GBP 3000 GR XXX
Queen biography (the band) 25,000 words , book + 20% to go on web 2009 USD 10000 2000
Salairya 8000-word book chapter with illust. 1999 GBP 1500 - X
Schoolbooks for Macmillan Africa 7 books of 48pp _Holtzb 2006 GBP 3500 O
Sports books 24,000 words on premiership football teams, pic research, pre-productions support included all rights 2010 GBP 2000 0 XXXX
Time Out guidebook updating short chapter - 3000 words _TOut 2008 GBP 300
Two humorous books (Chrysalis) 48pp each all rights assigned 2004 GBP 3000 X
Wayland books plan and write Key Stage 2 book, 32 pages _Hach 2007 GBP 850 XX

The above are the rates for Words, other / books notified by members up to 02 March 2010.

 
Key to the rates, by column:
1 Publication/Programme, any details of work and licence
2 Owner at the time the rate was reported, where knownGroup
3 The year in which the rate was reportedYear
4 Currency: either GBP or EUR¤
5 Amount paid for basic licence - e.g. first use in print: Basic fee
6 Paid for extra licences - web use, database resale... (no data pre Jun 2000) ...Extras
7 "Going Rate" according to experienced NUJ members - do try to better it: ......GR
or Minimum rate set out in NUJ House Agreement (more will be made soon): ......HA
8 Underpaid, in the fallible opinion of the Freelance editor:GBP500X
or Just sometimes we're pleasantly surprised:EUR1500300O