Negotiating a publishing deal...

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Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on June 5, 2012 at 12:34am

That is a pretty long length of time for a first time contract. What are they giving you? What are they expecting you to do in the way of marketing - appearances - writing more books?  Will you have any rights to your book?

Just a few questions to make sure you have answers to.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Stewart on June 5, 2012 at 2:53am

thanks for your input Stacy...

i must grant them exclusive publishing rights in book form (i.e. not including e-formats), for all territories, for the duration of the contract... no particular clauses regarding marketing on my part, nor any commitment regarding additional books... nor must i cede them any other rights...

in return, they offer me formatting (but no editing services) with drafts submittal and book proof, including cover design with drafts submittal (but we will use my cover), a number of personal copies, copyright registration and ISBN, official release and presentation on their website and in their networks, and a majority share of the profits...

as mentioned previously, this sounds like a good deal, apart for the duration... in the email accompanying the contract, their answer to my question regarding an eventual revocation procedure was that there was no such procedure, but they mentioned the possibility of a buy out, although without including an evaluation of the amount that would be required... i assume sales would be a factor in determining this...

also, i consider the fact that, knowing them from various social networks for an appreciable time, they seem to me praiseworthy, hard working people... so i would prefer using their services rather than POD services like CreateSpace for instance...

thanks again for your participation ! very much appreciated ! :o)

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on June 5, 2012 at 10:27am

Chris - no problem - looks like you really have all the facts.  They sounds similar to Outskirts Press, Inc. - I used them for my first two books - but they did not hold me to a contract - I can walk whenever I want.   Best wishes on this!!!!

Permalink Reply by Christopher Stewart on June 5, 2012 at 9:02pm

thanks again for your kindness Stacy !

wishing you much success, inspiration, and joy ! ☼

blessings,

Chris

Permalink Reply by Cleveland W. Gibson on June 12, 2012 at 11:16pm

Chris

Two years might be normal with a cancellation period of the contract on both side (with one month's notice.

Do they supply a contract (form) and require you seek out a 'notary' or not as the case might be. A'notary will ensure your contract stands up well in any country in the world.

In the event of a sell out be wary. Will money owing to you be paid or written off by the new owner? Multiply that by the number of authors on the publishers books and it might be a lot of money. These things happen. Again and again.

But best wishes

Cleveland

Permalink Reply by Christopher Stewart on June 13, 2012 at 4:18am

thanks for sharing your perspective Cleveland !

yes, they do provide a contract, but didn't require a notary...

there are clauses in the contract in case of a sell out, or if the publisher is in default... i guess i'll have to reread them though... ;o)

best wishes to you too !

Permalink Reply by April Hollingworth on August 17, 2013 at 2:32pm

I have noticed while doing some research on publishers that a five year contract seams about normal they normally also specify if it's only the book that's written or if it includes any future ones in the series. Hope that helps and congratulations as well :-) 

Permalink Reply by Christopher Stewart on August 17, 2013 at 2:39pm

thanks April ! :o)