Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [contracts]

This tag should be used for legal questions about contracts that are used in fields related to writing, such as when you are asking about what needs to be part of a contract or what typical form contracts have in the specific field you are interested in.

This tag should be used for questions about contracts that are used in fields related to writing, such as when you are asking about what needs to be part of a contract or what typical form contracts have in the specific field you are interested in.

You should mention whether you are for example working on something in the field of , or writing your own , maybe set in the world of an existing . It might be important to mention the country you are living in so that answers can be tailored towards your specific needs.

If you would like to find examples of contracts you might also want to elaborate why you are searching for and how they should be structured so that they are useful to you.

Please elaborate what parts of a contract are giving you problems.

26 questions
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Getting My Rights Back

Back in the late 90's I wrote a picture book which eventually was published in 2002 by a big name publishing house. The book was critically acclaimed, won an award, and went through a couple of printings, before finally going out of print around…
Chris Sunami
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At what point does an author deal with an editor?

I'm just wondering: at which point do you have to deal with the editor, and what are the (possible) consequences? That is, when is the editor's involvement greatest? After or before a deal? I'd suspect after, since before something is agreed upon,…
Jürgen A. Erhard
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Will e-books prevent books from going out of print (and rights from reverting)?

In the old days, books went out of print shortly after it stopped being profitable for the publisher to print new runs. My understanding is that good contracts had clauses that caused the rights to the book to revert to the author once it had been…
sjohnston
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Where can I find information about a contract that allows two authors to use a "shared world"?

A friend of mine was gracious enough to let me write a story using a setting he has been using for his own novel. I finished my novella while he is still working. I am looking at indie publishing the novella, but I want to make sure it is known he…
Frank Luke
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For publishing negotations I would like to know what a publishing company makes in profit?

I did a little research but blogs are never enough. I would like expert advice or even sample contracts which spell out everything if possible.
The_Watcher
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What to include in agreement with a Ghost Writer. .

I am exploring engaging a Ghost writer to partner with me on the development of a non-fiction (well, mostly) business book. What are the critical elements of the agreement that need to be included?
Joseph Barisonzi
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Is it plausible to get a contract with an US/UK publisher as a foreigner?

Looking for some insight in the publishing industry. Is it even remotely plausible to get published in with an English-language publishing house (UK/US), when you're not a national nor a resident of either country? The industry being so competitive…
fencliff
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How does collaboration affect a publishing contract?

A publishing contract is generally a contract between a publisher and an author; a collaboration seems to add an additional party to the agreement. I would like to know what kind of complications this introduces to the contract. Is there anything I…
Standback
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When a publisher buys the copyright for my books, does that include the pen name I used?

Years ago, I wrote many westerns under half a dozen names for a publisher. They bought the copyright and published them. Now I'm hoping to write for a different publisher. Can I still use one of the pen names I used for my former publisher, or does…
ROGER NORRIS-GREEN
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How do you handle editors who materially change your writing after publication?

I'm a staff writer on a site that puts lots of emphasis on SEO. To that end, they have an SEO editor come back in to our posts after publication. The editor changes things like the abstract of the piece, tags, and so on, but also often changes the…
Morgan Meredith
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Can I include my published short story as a chapter to my new book?

I hope you can help me. Back in 2018 I had my short story published by a publishing house. He insisted that there was no need for a contract even if I asked for one. He tried to print my book but after some failed attempts(bad printing and cut) and…
Alex
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Owning comic book characters

I am currently writing an ongoing comic series, along with a co-author. Some of the characters in the book were created by me, some by the co-author, and some by third parties. All characters in this discussion were created for this series and are…
El Cadejo
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How to sign a contract to publish in a literary magazine?

I sold a piece to a magazine and am a little confused by the contract. I don't want to ask them, and look like a neophyte. I've been published before, but never by a paying market. The contract is a Word document, through Submittable, and asks for…
August Canaille
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Do I need to get people to sign a waiver to include their content in my book?

I am working on a book that will be based on the results of ten interview questions that I am asking of multiple well-known-in-their-field people. Do I need to get these folks to sign a waiver or some sort of other legal document before I can…
Nick Hodges
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How can I find out if I'm owed royalty payments on additional editions of my book?

I wrote Morris and the Kingdom of Knoll by T.L. Hill. It was published in 1996 jointly by J. Paul Getty and Children's Library Press. An advance towards royalties in the amount of $10,000 was split 3 ways between myself, artist Jeff Colson, and…
Terry J
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