Book Publishing Contract
About this form
The Book Publishing Contract is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions between an author and a publisher regarding the publication of a literary work. This contract grants the publisher exclusive rights to publish the author's work while protecting the author's copyright. Unlike other agreements, this contract is specifically tailored for book publishing, ensuring both parties understand their rights and obligations in relation to the published work.
Main sections of this form
- Sale of rights to publish: Grants the publisher exclusive rights to publish the author's work.
- Copyright assignment: Specifies the publisher will register the copyright in the author's name upon publication.
- Delivery of manuscript: Outlines the deadline for the author to submit the complete work.
- Royalties structure: Details how royalties will be calculated and paid to the author.
- Termination conditions: Describes the circumstances under which either party can terminate the contract.
When to use this document
This form should be used when an author is ready to publish a literary work and seeks to formalize the relationship with a publisher. It is appropriate for authors who are entering into a publishing agreement for their first book or those who are transitioning to a new publisher. The contract is essential for ensuring that both parties understand and agree to the terms of publication, copyright, and payment of royalties.
Who can use this document
- Authors looking to publish their literary works
- Publishers seeking to formalize a publishing agreement
- Co-authors collaborating on a book project
- Literary agents representing authors in publishing negotiations
Instructions for completing this form
- Identify the parties: Provide the full names and addresses of the author and publisher.
- Specify the work: Enter the title of the book to be published.
- Enter vital dates: Fill in the date of agreement, the manuscript delivery date, and the publication deadline.
- Detail royalties: Indicate the agreed royalty percentages and any advance payments.
- Review terms: Carefully read through the contract terms, making sure all clauses are understood.
Notarization guidance
This form does not typically require notarization to be legally valid. However, some jurisdictions or document types may still require it. US Legal Forms provides secure online notarization powered by Notarize, available 24/7 for added convenience.
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Failing to specify the delivery date for the manuscript.
- Ignoring the importance of copyright registration clauses.
- Not reviewing the royalty structure thoroughly before signing.
- Omitting signatures from both parties, which invalidates the contract.
Benefits of using this form online
- Quick access to a professionally drafted legal document.
- Easy customization for specific needs and details of the publishing agreement.
- Time-efficient process, allowing immediate download and use.
- Secure and reliable storage of documents for future reference.
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FAQ
Self-published authors can make between 40% 60% royalties on a single book sale while traditionally published authors usually make between 10%-12% royalties. First-time authors who want to traditionally publish can get an advance, which is usually $10,000 (usually not that much more for a first-timer).
Some of the most essential clauses of a standard (boilerplate) book publishing contract are: Grant of Rights, Subsidiary Rights, Delivery and Acceptance, Publication, Copyright, Advance (if there is any), Royalties, and Out of Print.
Go to writers conferences where agents appear, search their websites, find their names in the acknowledgment pages of books you like, find a friend who has a good agent, and subscribe to Publisher's Marketplace for the latest book deals between agents and editors.
Decide Why You Want to Publish a Book. Write Your Book. Get Feedback Before Publishing Your Book. Choose a Book Title. Hire a Great Book Editor. Design a Book Cover that Converts. Create Your Kindle Direct Publishing Account. Format and Upload your Book.
Pay a standard royalty on hardcover books: 10% of the book's retail price on the first 5000 copies sold, 12.5% on the next 5000 copies sold, and 15% thereafter. Royalties for most trade-paper books are 7.5% of the retail price, and mass market books pay a bit less than that.
The average author with a first-time book deal can expect to receive an advance of $5,000 to $15,000. Once your book is released, you won't see another dime until you have earned back that advance$1.25 at a timeuntil the advance is paid back in full.
Typically, an author can expect to receive the following royalties: Hardback edition: 10% of the retail price on the first 5,000 copies; 12.5% for the next 5,000 copies sold, then 15% for all further copies sold. Paperback: 8% of retail price on the first 150,000 copies sold, then 10% thereafter.
Under standard royalties, an author gets roughly 20 to 30% of the publisher's revenue for a hardcover, 15% for a trade paperback, and 25% for an eBook. So, very roughly, every hardcover release that earns out brings the author something like 25% of all revenue earned by the publisher.
