Before You Sign That (Book Publishing) Contract
It is really hard for first time authors to get a foot in the publishing door, which can make them really desperate to be published. I should know. I almost got conned into signing away all my rights. Luckily, I backed off at the last moment.
When you’re ready to sign a contract (and this is especially true if you’re dealing directly with the publisher), don’t sign away all rights. For example, if you wish to give only print rights to the publisher, specify just that. Never sign away all rights. After all, five years ago who’d have thought to keep electronic rights for ebooks?
Royalties is another area writers need to watch out for. Click here for a great article by Patricia in epublishabook.com.
BTW, if you like this site, please consider clicking on the ‘Like’ button on your right. I need at least 25 likes before I can get a vanity author page (i.e. http://www.facebook.com/pages/AuthorRasana-Atreya instead of http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rasana-Atreya/134736126622525). It’ll help when I finally get my book out. Thanks!
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I’m glad to hear you stopped before disaster happened. The author always has the right to negotiate with a publisher to get the contract they want. And if the publisher won’t agree and both sides can’t compromise, then it’s probably time to seek another publisher. It’s good to let new authors know these things. I have not had a book published yet, but I have been reading a great deal about publishing and learning before coming up against things as you did. Thanks for posting this info.
The article by Patricia is also an eye opener. Who would think of the weight of a little three-letter word? Authors need to be marketers, negotiators, diplomats, detectives, sales people as well as writers. Wow! That’s a load to carry.
I’m glad I stopped, but it wasn’t easy, I tell you. I feel for other first timers who are so desperate to be published that they’ll sign away their first born. The fact of the matter is writers have so many more options now. Ebooks are the best thing that happened. Leveled the plying field for writers.
Fortunately the book I got ‘caught’ on wasn’t a work of fiction but a short work of poetry mixed with journal entries and scripture verses, and I have now rewritten it with a lot more ‘stuff’ added and have given it a new title. I may just go the e-book route with this one once it has been edited.
Good for you. Better late than never.
Thanks for the eye opener. Will be careful. I too am trying to get my poetry book Published and still searching for the right publisher for the same.
Good luck to you 4 ur venture,
Regards
Glad you found it useful. Good luck!
Thanks for posting this, Rasana. I’m not even close to publishing, but it’s never too early to start educating oneself on what’s important to keep in mind. Glad you pulled out before it was too late!
You’re welcome. And thanks for ‘liking’ me, Guilie! 🙂
Great advice for us newbies. So much to learn! Phew!
Appreciate hearing from readers, Morgan. Good to know my posts are helping.