Have you received an offer for publication and need help evaluating it? This is not a time to go solo. Rarely are publishing agreements written with the writer's interests in mind; they are written to benefit the publisher. Be sure your interests are paramount and your rights protected.
Considering your offer, do you have questions such as:
- Can I increase it without jeopardizing the deal?
- Are these royalties above or below average?
- Just what rights am I selling?
- How will this agreement limit me?
- What does all this goobledy-gook mean?
- Will my rights revert back to me at some point?
- Do they own it? Or do I retain some rights?
- Am I hurting myself in any way by signing this?
- Will publishing under this agreement increase my standing as a writer?
- Will this agreement advance me closer to my goals?
- Do I have any say-so in production, such as artwork or schedules?
- If I take a pass on this contract why would I regret it?
First of all, congratulations; your work is desired and considered valuable in the marketplace.
Now, a bit of important advice: Do not commit to anything at this point. Do not discuss terms, conditions, and certainly not money.
Next, take a deep breath, calmly tell them something along the lines of: “Thank you, I’m so pleased. I’ll review your offer with my contract consultants, and get back to you as soon as possible.” Then you have the time to take a good look at just what you've been offered and weigh its merits fairly. Plus, they are now aware that you are a smart professional with expert advisors. Negotiations have now shifted in your favor.
Our experienced team of experts has reviewed hundreds of contracts over many years for writers. As lawyers, agents, and editors they've worked intimately with U.S. and international publishing contracts and understand all their confusing language, shifty clauses, ups and downs, and ins and outs. They know which clauses can be cut, which can be be changed, and which are career-busters or deal-breakers. A few hundred dollars invested in information could save you thousands over the course of a contract.
Our Legal Advisors can review and interpret contracts from:
- Websites and content providers
A comprehensive contract review will give you the confidence you need to deal with publishers knowledgably and effectively.
Just select your contract check-up in our bookstore, based on the length of the contract and thus the time required to review it. Then answer a few questions about your publishing objectives, and send a pdf copy of your contract. Within a couple of weeks we’ll send back a comprehensive review of your contract.
PLEASE NOTE: A contract check-up by augustwords.org should be utilized as a tool to help you in your publishing decisions but should not be considered a replacement for legal services by a licensed entertainment attorney.
