Category Archives: Other Terms

Collaboration Agreements

A collaboration agreement is a contract between the authors of a joint work setting forth respective ownership, rights, credits, royalties, expenses, and responsibilities.  If you are collaborating with someone on any significant work – a short story or a novel – you should have a collaboration agreement.  Let’s look at the key issues: Responsibilities.  How … Continue reading Collaboration Agreements

Out of Print Clauses in Publishing Agreements

Your grant or assignment of copyright to your publisher generally is limited only by the out of print clause.   It therefore is critical that “out of print” be defined reasonably, especially now that digital and on-demand publishing can make the literal meaning of the clause obsolete.  Ideally, the definition should be pegged to the publisher’s … Continue reading Out of Print Clauses in Publishing Agreements

Q&A: Arbitration Clauses

Q.  My latest publishing agreement includes an arbitration clause.  Should I accept it? A.  No.  It sounds counter-intuitive, but litigation usually is a better option for authors (and consumers in general) than arbitration.  Arbitration (not to be confused with mediation) is an “alternative” method of dispute resolution.  In general, two disputing parties present their individual … Continue reading Q&A: Arbitration Clauses

Q&A: Manuscript Submission

Q. I turned in my book’s manuscript on time three months ago, but my editor still hasn’t “accepted” it.  What are my rights? And can my publisher make changes without my approval? A.  As always, your publishing agreement controls.  An industry-standard publishing agreement typically gives the publisher the right to accept, reject, or ask for revisions in your … Continue reading Q&A: Manuscript Submission