I stress that when you sign a contract with a publisher you need an agent. There are so many ways a publisher can take advantage of you, and no matter how nice or professional or respected your editor is, that editor has a responsibility to the publisher to present their contract without caution or advice to you. They represent their bosses. They are paid by their bosses. They have no control over the contract.
Today Roxanne St. Clair writes about a small clause that is costing her thousands of dollars and much heartache. And I'm sure many agents allowed that clause to pass without realizing its danger, because it was in the early part of the century and electronic books weren't a Thing like they are today.
But there were many other clauses that her agent did catch, that other agents struck from contracts to protect their writers' money [because they were protecting their own money, too, since the only pay they get is a percentage of the writers' money].
You need an agent or a very good intellectual properties lawyer who specializes in NY publishing contracts.
Here's just one reason why.
Today Roxanne St. Clair writes about a small clause that is costing her thousands of dollars and much heartache. And I'm sure many agents allowed that clause to pass without realizing its danger, because it was in the early part of the century and electronic books weren't a Thing like they are today.
But there were many other clauses that her agent did catch, that other agents struck from contracts to protect their writers' money [because they were protecting their own money, too, since the only pay they get is a percentage of the writers' money].
You need an agent or a very good intellectual properties lawyer who specializes in NY publishing contracts.
Here's just one reason why.
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