Ratio of "manuscript" pages to "book" pages?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

Jay Honig wondered: <<I am in negotiation with a client for an 
industrial training manual... When payrate was verbally discussed, they 
said "$xx per page" but when the written contract appeared, it said 
"Publisher agrees to pay Writer $xx per finished page, two finished 
manuscript pages usually being said to constitute one finished book 
page.">>

There's nothing wrong with the basic notion, but words per page must 
always be spelled out. Clearly, the number of words per page will 
differ between a telephone directory and a large-print book for the 
visually impaired, so without the actual number being specified, 
there's no way to know what the client expects.

<<I replied that I thought the terms were unclear (I've replaced the 
pay digits with xx) and would I be paid $xx per manuscript page or book 
page. They are saying per book page. Is this a common industry term or 
practice?>>

It is, but the page length (number of words) is always specified. I've 
commonly seen ca. 250 words used per manuscript page, but the actual 
number (and the conversion into book pages) varies greatly and it would 
be unwise to accept such a vague commitment. If they're not trying to 
be deceptive, they should have no objection to defining word counts in 
the contract.

If they refuse, take appropriate measures to protect yourself: For 
example, state in a handwritten addition to the contract, signed and 
dated, that in the absence of any further specification, you are 
assuming the rate of 250 (or whatever) words per page. They then have 
two choices: they can either re-issue the contract with the correct 
number typed directly into the contract, or they can sign the amended 
contract and add their signature and the date beside your addition to 
indicate that they have accepted it.

Don't do the work without some assurance of just how much work you're 
doing per page unless you really need the work and are prepared to be 
surprised.

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Geoff Hart   ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
www.geoff-hart.com
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