What do publishers actually look for before paying authors?



Iโ€™ve been researching publishing after finishing my manuscript, and one thing still confuses me: how much do publishers really pay for a book? Iโ€™ve seen very different numbers depending on the deal and author. What factors affect the payment, and when do royalties usually become important? Also, where do proofreading services Texas fit into the process? Iโ€™d appreciate honest advice from experienced writers about what surprised them most.

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