Royalty statements are among the least transparent documents in publishing, and that opacity is a choice. Here is how ours are built and what to check on any statement you receive.
Net receipts, not cover price
Most academic royalties are a percentage of what the publisher actually receives after trade discount — not the price on the back of the book. A forty per cent discount to a wholesaler means the base for your royalty is sixty per cent of list.
Ask for the channel breakdown
A single total tells you nothing actionable. Sales split by channel and territory tell you whether your book is being adopted for courses, bought by libraries, or picked up by individuals — three very different signals.
Check the returns provision
Print sales are often reported net of a reserve against returns. That reserve should be released on a stated schedule. If the schedule is not named, ask.
