I've said this before, but I think it's worth repeating - If you are asked to sign a contract, PLEASE be sure you understand it and agree to the terms BEFORE signing it.
No reputable publisher will mind you asking questions about points you're not sure of.
If you sign something you don't understand then there's a danger you'll accidentally break the contract terms.
If you don't agree, then say so and don't sign. In some cases it may be possible to negotiate (I've successfully done this in the past when a publisher requested full exclusive rights, which I wasn't prepared to give up.)
Once you have signed (if you do) be sure you keep a copy for future reference.
Excellent advice, Patsy, and I would add to be careful of signing all rights (even for several years) if they are not going to be used by the publisher!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Who is trying to grab more rights this time?
ReplyDeleteGood point, Rosemary. Just because a publisher asks for all rights there's no guarantee they'll use them all, but it will mean nobody else, including the author, can do that.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely Patsy, and Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteSigning an all rights contract limits future income generation opportunities, and I'd assume it would also reduce the ability to get ALCS payments for the stories.
Selling all rights does indeed limit ALCS, Carol - to zero. If we know longer own the rights to the story, we can't claim these payments.
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