I've recently been looking through publishers to publish something that I've been writing, and I think I've finally found the almost-perfect one for me. The only problem is that the prices at which they sell their books is ABSURDLY high. Their contract states that "book prices are subject to change at publisher's discretion." As an author, this scares me. The price is already high enough, which will obviously prevent people from buying the book, and if they had the opportunity to raise the price without my consent, I'm sure they very well would. Is there some way that I can make an amendment to the contract before I sign, something that will leave pricing at my discretion rather than theirs, or is that asking for power that should never belong to an author? By the way, I am dealing with a self-publisher rather than a traditional, which might, in some way, justify my having that right. Am I correct?

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Think of it this way, the publishers know how to make the books sell. They want the book to sell just as much as you want it to. Leave the selling, advertising, and pricing to the publishers. Your job is to write your books and not to miss a deadline, but before you can do that you have to give them your manuscript, hope that they like it, and sign that contract.

Many self-publishers are priced higher than the market demand and this is one of the things anybody thinking of self publishing should strongly consider. If you wouldn't pay that for a book then certainly you should assume no one else will either. You can certainly negotiate a clause giving you a say in any price increases for your book. It doesn't hurt to ask. The problem is if you say no, that may affect they number they print for you as they may feel they can't recoup the cost.

Actually you would have more control with a traditional publisher as much would be spelled out in the contract. If they overpriced the books you would be able to sue them if sales did not fall even within minimal levels. Self publishing though means you have little control or recourse. If you are selling just through them they do have the option to change pricing. There is little you can do. But you can pay more up front...... have X amount of books published and then market yourself.

Scams and rip-offs abound among self-publication folks. Be careful.