Question 1

What’s the smallest advance you’ve paid, and do you exploit new authors with “exposure” as currency ?

Accepted Answer

We don’t believe in token advances just to lock in rights, nor in using “exposure” as a substitute for fair author compensation. At Sramana, we currently operate on a transparent profit-sharing model instead of traditional advances. Why? Because advances often come with complex traps—recoup clauses, hidden deductions, delayed payments, and pressure to “earn out” or get dropped. We decided not to start our relationships with debt.

Instead, authors earn 20–30% of actual profit per copy sold—clean, trackable, and royalty-first. You always know what you’re owed, and we never ask you to “perform for exposure.” Your work is your labor, not marketing fodder.

We’re building a platform that doesn’t gamble on a few bestsellers but supports sustainable careers, with the clarity and respect most authors never get. If your goal is short-term fame, there are plenty of other models out there. But if you want a professional, equitable, and transparent publishing relationship—you’re in the right place.

Question 2

Break down royalties: What’s your cut vs. mine for every format (hardcover, eBook, audiobook, my website sales)?

Accepted Answer

No mystery math. No gross/net confusion. No royalties hidden in quarterly Excel hell. You’ll get a dashboard that shows every sale, in real time, in plain numbers.

We believe authors deserve to be treated like creative partners, not junior employees or liabilities. Our share covers editing, design, platform fees, and tech infrastructure—yours rewards your work. If you’re writing the book, you should be earning from it. Simple.

Question 3

Do you tax-deduct my marketing costs from my earnings ?

Accepted Answer

At Sramana, transparency and fairness come first. We do not arbitrarily deduct marketing costs from your royalties without your full knowledge and consent. Here’s how it really works:

•    Marketing is an investment, not a hidden tax. If we agree to spend on marketing your book, that cost will be clearly outlined in your contract or service agreement before you commit. You will always know how much is being spent, and what it’s for.

•    We believe in upfront clarity: any marketing expenses that come out of your earnings will be discussed with you in advance, with detailed reporting on how the money was used.

•    However, Sramana also offers optional marketing packages where you can choose to invest extra in promotion—these are separate from your royalties and fully transparent. If you opt in, you control your budget and marketing strategy.

•    No surprise deductions. We do not “tax” your royalties or reduce your earnings retroactively to cover marketing costs that you didn’t approve.

•    If we market your book at our cost (as part of standard publishing), that expense is covered within our share of the revenue—never from yours.

This model respects your rights as a creative partner, keeps the financials clean, and builds trust. We want you focused on your craft—not on worrying about hidden fees or surprise deductions.

Question 4

Do you pay royalties on gross or net profits? (Net = you’ve already pocketed 80%)

Accepted Answer

We pay royalties on net revenue, but not the shady, padded kind you’re worried about.

At Sramana, here’s what net actually means:
    •    MRP minus platform/distributor fees (like Amazon, etc.)
    •    Minus printing and shipping costs
    •    Minus only the optional services you chose — like paid marketing, custom design, author websites, or SEO — with all pricing agreed upfront and billed separately.

We do NOT deduct:
    •    Admin charges
    •    Overheads
    •    Editorial salaries
    •    “Mystery” processing fees
    •    Or anything you didn’t explicitly agree to.

We provide a full, transparent statement for every deduction. If there’s no extra service taken, you’re paid cleanly after print and retail costs.

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On direct sales (via your website):
You get 60–70% of the MRP, because there’s no retailer margin, just printing + logistics + small technical/processing fee on our side if we manage that.

We don’t claim to pay royalties on gross (no one sustainably can) — but we get you the fairest, most transparent net in this industry, with no surprises, ever.

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