(A version of this post was originally published in 2014.)
Several years ago, a now-defunct literary magazine called The Toast gained notoriety by demanding that its writers surrender copyright. In the widespread discussion that followed exposure of this author-unfriendly policy, I was struck by the number of comments from writers who seemed to think that a bad contract clause was not so very awful if (pick one) the publication was great; the people who run it were great; the bad contract clause was not always enforced. (See especially the comments thread on The Toast’s still-surviving post about the controversy.)
That’s all very well. But this kind of thinking is exactly how writers get screwed: by making assumptions about a publisher’s intentions, by letting their emotions overrule their business sense, and by forgetting that, in the author-publisher relationship, the publishing contract is the bottom line.
These issues are as relevant now as they were years ago, if not more so (see, for instance, the ChiZine scandal, where authors accepted all kinds of abuse, including questionable contract language, because of the publisher’s then-stellar reputation). I hear all the time from writers who’ve been offered seriously problematic contracts and are using various rationalizations to convince themselves (sometimes at the publisher’s urging) that bad language or bad terms are not actually so bad, or are unlikely ever to apply.
Here are my suggestions for changing these damaging ways of thinking.
- Don’t assume that every single word of your contract won’t apply to you at some point. You may think “Oh, that will never happen” (for instance, the publisher’s right to refuse to publish your manuscript if it thinks that changes in the market may reduce your sales, or its right to terminate the contract if it believes you’ve violated a non-disparagement clause). Or the publisher may tell you “We never actually do that” (for instance, edit at will without consulting you, or impose a termination fee). But if your contract says it can happen, it may well happen…and if it does happen, can you live with it? That’s the question you need to ask yourself when evaluating a contract.
- Don’t mistake “nice” or “responsive” or “professional” or even “crazy about my work” for “author-friendly.” Remember, the lovely, enthusiastic editors you deal with when you submit your work probably didn’t create the contract (they may not even be fully aware of its provisions). It’s a sad truth of the industry that outwardly wonderful publishers can have shitty contracts. Don’t let your warm fuzzy feelings push aside your business sense.
- Don’t make assumptions about what contract language means. If you don’t understand the meaning of a clause, or aren’t sure about its implications, don’t guess. Get advice from someone qualified to provide it. (Writer Beware will gladly provide experience-based–not legal, we are not lawyers–contract commentary. Email us.)
- Don’t rely on your publisher’s assurance that objectionable contract language won’t be enforced. Your publisher may be telling the truth–at least, up to the point that they give you the assurance. But even if they aren’t just trying to get you to shut up and sign, circumstances may alter (what if management changes? What if the publisher sells itself?) and internal policies may shift. Oral or written promises that contradict contract language offer you absolutely no protection or guarantees (especially if your contract contains an entire agreement clause, which specifically invalidates any prior promises or representations). Never forget that by signing a contract, you are giving your publisher the full legal right to enforce it.
- Don’t accept your publisher’s claim that contract language means something different from what you think it means. This is a response you may receive if you attempt to negotiate changes, or bring a troublesome clause to your publisher’s attention. Your publisher may be correct: the misinterpretation may be yours. But your publisher may also be unscrupulous or ignorant (many small presses don’t properly understand their own contract language). If your publisher’s explanation doesn’t sound right, don’t just take their word for it. Get a second opinion.
- Don’t let your publisher convince you that asking questions is a bad thing. Dodgy or incompetent publishers don’t like pro-active authors, and may try to blow them off by claiming that asking questions is unprofessional, or ungrateful, or something similarly bogus. But asking questions is your right. Walk away from a publisher that discourages you from exercising it.
No contract is perfect. You should always be able to do at least some negotiation. But even under the most favorable circumstances, you’ll probably be giving something up. You may even decide to swallow an objectionable clause because of a great opportunity (I don’t know of any writer, including me, who hasn’t made this decision on occasion). If you do decide to sign a contract with unfavorable language, though, do so in full understanding of the possible consequences. Not in ignorance, or assumption, or fear of annoying the publisher by being too inquisitive.
I’ll close with an excellent tweet from author and editor Jane Friedman (if you aren’t following her, you should be):
Remember: contracts aren’t there for when times are good & everyone is well-intentioned. They need to work for you when things go to hell.
— Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) December 18, 2014
Words to live by.
In 1986, when I was first trade-published, I signed the contract, no questions asked. Four trade-published books later (today), I’ve come full circle. Not only do I ask questions, I take it upon myself to cross out and add language in the contract, on my own. I no longer ask permission. I insert that which I believe is necessary and I delete that which I find troublesome. One item that I regularly insert is a no-questions-asked termination clause. To be fair, I add language that gives both parties the ability to cancel the agreement at will, and regardless of time passed. If I don’t get exactly what I was promised, even early in the contract, I want to be able to cancel it without penalty. Thanks in large part to my literary agent, I’ve not yet had to do that. My publishers so far have lived up to their promises. But I sleep better at night knowing that I can cancel at will, any time. And not a single trade publisher has even asked me about the changes that I make, let alone question their veracity. I think of myself as an equal party in developing and signing a book contract. And, so far, I’ve been treated that way.
It’s always sensible to negotiate. Many authors don’t realize they can be pro-active. Unfortunately, smaller publishers are often very resistant to any kind of negotiation, even of minor issues like the number of free copies.
Beyond that…even if the publisher is willing to negotiate, you do need to consider what it says about the publisher that it would offer author-unfriendly language to begin with.
A bad publisher is bad for every writer, but a good publisher is only good for some writers (since publishers vary and so do writers and their books). Writer Beware's mission is to expose the scammers and bad actors, and to provide writers with the tools they need to research and evaluate any publishers they are considering. This blog is just one aspect of what we do; also see our website, which has a lot of information and resources.
Maybe the question is who are the self-publishing companies with good reputations for not screwing writers and fulfilling their contracts to the fullest? We can list the bad ones all day, but it would be nice to have a list of companies that other writers believe in and recommend. I'm close to finishing my first novel, so this is near and dear to my heart.
Writer Beware has received complaints about Solstice Publishing. Please email me for more information: beware@sfwa.org
Hello,
I received a contract from Solstice Publishing. Are they a reputable company? Should I publish with them or would I be better off self-publishing?
Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Roland E. Trimmer,
I'm really sorry for your experience with Dog Ear Publishing. I'm just as sorry to tell you that Stratton Press is a scam–one of the many publishing and marketing scams based in the Philippines that I've been writing about so often on this blog. For a more detailed discussion of the scams in general and Stratton in particular, please see my blog post: https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2018/01/army-of-clones-author-solutions-spawns.html.
Feel free to email me if you have questions: beware@sfwa.org.
Dear sirs/madams, a novice author here although I have written three books.
Dogear published my first one CONDEMNED PROPERTY? and most things went well. I chose another publisher for second book PAY BACK TIME and it was less successful I came back to
Dogear last year to launch my third book UNBREAKABLE HEARTS ! My book was rushed through and not edited eve n remotely well. Then the real problems…NON-payment of any author royalties sin ce 2018 up to now.Not dwelling on this or complaint ng to you as I am now aware how Dogear has screwed dozens of authors this past year or so.
What I am writing to you about is Stratton Publishing LLC. who contacted me couple months ago. The person I spoke with came off extremely professional and even sympathetic of my situation with Dogear. In fact everyone I have talked to at Stratton has been very polite and easy to work with. But…aside from the original price of $5,000 I agreed to with them to re launch my book, now they seem to be suggesting that I infest considerably more which I am not able to do due to the money Dogear screwed me out of. Now I am worried again especially after reading a few of the negative reviews about Stratton online.
Stratton has earned their worth so far for the money I have put up but I am worried about what might lay ahead for me. NOT THAT THIS MATTERS, I AM A 75 YEAR OLD 100% DISABLED COMBAT VIETNAM WAR VETERAN DOGEAR AND STRATTON WERE AWARE OF THIS. SO THEY KNEW THAT i HAD LIMITED FINANCIAL POTENTIAL TO PAY THEM WITH.
Any suggestions, opinions etc. about Stratton good or bad would be help full. Hope to hear back-thanks much. Dusty Trimmer 330-995-8837 trimmerdusty@gmail.com
@Michael — and if they refuse to make the change, that tells you something all on its own.
I'd add if the editor tells you that a clause means something other than what it appears to say, ask them to change it to say what the editor says it says.
Very useful. Thanks.
Good post, you make a lot of sense. I have shared this widely including a link from my website to your post.
Thank you!
Thank you for an informative article that wasn't just for sale.