Can I change publisher once a book is published?

[Paul]

Hi. How are you?

In my ongoing negotiations with someone who is offering to buy 1000 copies of my book, he is now asking me if I want him to be the publisher of the book.

Are there any inherent rights that I am giving away when I let someone else publish the book, or would it all depend on the contract that is created and signed?

Would I be able to change my publisher if it does not work out well with him, or would that also depend on the contract?

Thank you!
Paul Sterman

[P.D.]

It depends what rights you grant him. Is he going do print distribution? Has he done this before?

If he is the print publisher, you would have to create a new print edition if you wanted someone else/yourself to publish it. And you'd have to retain the rights to do that.

[Steven]

If this is a traditional publisher, you give up all your rights for the term of the contract, including to use of your characters, title, cover art, the works. If it's a non-traditional publisher, it will depend on the contract. I would strongly advise that you consult an attorney on this. I have a question for you. Is he going to charge you for publishing? If so, buy carefully and research what you can get the book published for through Create Space, Ingersol Rand (Spark), Bookbaby, etc. The big question for you is what kind of distribution network this guy is going to give you access to. Unless he regularly publishes for other people as his core business, he's not likely to have a substantial distribution network. Good luck.

[Steven]

Oops. I meant Ingram/Spark. Ingersol Rand makes air compressors. Duhhhhh.

[Eileen]

I think people need to read the following background thread before weighing in on this question: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I agree with Steven. You need to consult an attorney about this whole thing.