Royalties - Question

Hello Authors

I would like to ask this question.

I am a first time comedy author from London, UK. I have been given a contract to sign by a UK publisher. I would like to know if the percentage for royalties offered is FAIR.

*20 percentage for paperback
*20percentage for hardback
*20 percentage for export paperback
*20 percentage for export hardback
*40 percentage for e-books.

All above are of net sales price.

*50 percentage for film rights and
*50 percentage for Television/Reading Rights
*forty and fifty percentages for other royalties in a list such as Documentary, Dramatisation, etc.

*I have also been asked to pay 3300 UK pounds (for hardback, paperback and ebook) as it is a non contributory contract, since I am a new author.
(Previously, I had made a mistake and stated 6750 UK Pounds.)

I would appreciate it very much if the experienced ones can help with quality info. If the contract is not fair, then what will be the next sensible solution?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many Thanks, Sarah. UK.

Sarah, I haven't a clue whether these are regular figures or not but as far as I'm aware, demands for money from you, especially such a large amount, are extremely suspect. I don't think I'd touch it with a bargepole but I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who're well-placed to advise you.

7 grand?! Sounds like bunco to me, a con trick. Avoid.

I wouldn't go anywhere near them!

That's self/vanity publishing. If you want to go down that route, you can do it yourself without them for thousands of pounds less.