Thinking of signing publishing related contracts on a contract to create/produce/sell your book through a traditional publisher? Don’t jump in until you really understand the water. Here’s a few tips for you today:
1 Never sign a contract for a publishing service until you understand what the contract really says and that you have checked out the provider with others who have used the services. Key question to ask: Would you use this person or company again? If there is any hesitation, run.
2 If you are considering signing a contract with a publisher to “publish” your book … make sure that you include a Reversion of Rights clause. What’s that, you ask? Simply this: in the “old days”, traditional publishers included a Reversion of Rights clause is contracts. What it did was enable the author to request ALL rights revert back to him or her, basically terminating the contract for the book. Today, that clause is as common as finding a T-Rex in your local neighborhood.
Because of POD, any publisher can keep a book “in print” in perpetuity. Ugh. Make sure you include your own version of a Reversion of Rights … meaning that if your total print sales within the year are less than a specific number, such as 300 copies, that you have the right to terminate the contract. You will thank me.
3 If you have published with a traditional type of publisher and you terminate the contract, or the publisher does, make sure you have a clause in your contract that allows you to have first rights to any reminder books. This should allow you to purchase books in inventory at a deep discount. Then, WOOT to you, you can resell with more money back to you. I like that!
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2016, the dates are June 23-25th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.