UNDERSTANDING CONTRACTS

Definition of a Contract

  1. An agreement enforceable by law.
  2. It must contain an offer and acceptance.
  3. It must reflect the “consideration” (value) given each way, such as what the writer is agreeing to provide and what the buyer is agreeing to pay in compensation.
  4. Per copyright law, the publisher does not control exclusive rights of a work unless the agreement has been signed by the author.
  5. A verbal agreement is not legally binding. Confirm the agreed upon terms in a letter or email message.

Terms to be Included in a Publishing Contract

  1. Title of the material being purchased
  2. Rights being purchased (first rights, one-time rights, reprint rights, all rights, international, etc.)
  3. Medium to which the rights apply (print, online, etc.)
  4. Distribution for the publication
  5. Payment to be received and specifics of when it will be paid
  6. The writer’s obligations and liabilities (accuracy, originality)

Creating Your Own Contract

If you sell to a publisher who does not offer a contract or simply sends a check which is their confirmation of a sale, it is wise to protect yourself by creating your own letter of agreement.

  1. Keep the letter of agreement simple.
  2. Direct the letter to the editor.
  3. Acknowledge that you received the check (state the amount of $) in payment for the title of the work purchased.
  4. State that you look forward to seeing the work published in the agreed upon publication.
  5. This is not a legally binding co-signed document. But it is a written record of the terms you, the writer, have authorized.

Links to Discussions About Publishing Contracts

© 2011 Starla Kaye

The Smarts

  • What is Plot?

    The series of events (action) that provide conflict within a story, which is sometimes referred to as the “spine” of a story. It is the result of what choices the characters make, the actions they take, and the events that happen because of those choices. Ideally the plot should be able to be described in one or two sentences. The plot should be simple.

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This website is the work of Starla Criser, an author who has published more than 50 stories, both traditionally and through self-publishing routes.