CHECK YOUR CONTRACTS


Contract checklist (per Australian Society of Authors  -- ASA)
Before you sign, make sure you understand the implications of these clauses

Where your publisher offers their standard contract, check that it: Has a firm date for publicationHas rising royalties, paid on recommended retail price, not net receiptsGives approximate price and minimum print runHas a revision clauseBinds the publisher to show you proofsDefines responsibility for the cost of illustrations, indexing, photographs and so onHas at least two accounting periods per yearMakes the publisher responsible for the loss of manuscript or book stocksHas an effective termination clause.Check also that it does not: Assign copyright to the publisherAssign digital/electronic rights to the publisherAllow alterations without your consentAllow royalties calculated on the price of sheets soldAllow overstock or remainder sales within two yearsSet a price for future Book Club salesTake a share (other than agent’s commission) of non-print rightsHold reserves beyond the second accounting dateAsk extended rights such as overseas rights without proof of ability to exploit themPurport to assign or waive your moral rightsInclude a consent to an act which otherwise would be a breach of your moral rights.From Barbara Jefferis, Rob Pullen and Lynne Spender Australian Book Contracts 3rd edition (Keesing Press).


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Published on August 27, 2018 03:00
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