Book Publishing Contract
Definition and meaning
A Book Publishing Contract is a legal agreement between an author and a publisher that outlines the terms under which the author’s work will be published. This contract defines the rights and responsibilities of both parties, including details about copyright, royalties, delivery of the manuscript, and the duration of the agreement. It serves as a safeguard to ensure that both the author and the publisher are clear on their obligations and the usage rights of the literary work.
Key components of the form
The Book Publishing Contract includes several important sections that clarify the relationship between the author and publisher. Key components of this agreement typically include:
- Sale of Rights: Specifies the rights being transferred for publication.
- Copyright Registration: Outlines the process for registering copyright in the author's name.
- Advance and Royalties: Details the payment structure for the author, including initial advances and ongoing royalties based on sales.
- Delivery of Manuscript: Establishes deadlines for manuscript submission.
- Termination Conditions: Lists circumstances under which the contract may be terminated by either party.
How to complete a form
To effectively complete a Book Publishing Contract, follow these simple steps:
- Enter Author's Information: Fill in the author's full name and contact details, including the address.
- Provide Publisher's Information: Include the publisher's name, corporation details, and address.
- Define the Work: Clearly state the title of the book and a brief description of its content.
- Specify Rights Assigned: Indicate the rights the author is granting to the publisher for this publication.
- Set Financial Terms: Agree upon the advance payment and royalty percentages according to the sales structure outlined.
- Review and Finalize: Both parties should review the contract thoroughly before signing and date the agreement.
Who should use this form
This Book Publishing Contract is suitable for:
- Authors: Individuals looking to publish their literary works, whether it is their first publication or a subsequent work.
- Independent Publishers: Small presses or self-publishing companies seeking to formalize agreements with authors.
- Literary Agents: Agents representing authors who want to establish clear terms with a publisher on behalf of their clients.
Common mistakes to avoid when using this form
When completing a Book Publishing Contract, it's essential to avoid some common pitfalls:
- Neglecting to read all clauses: Ensure all terms are thoroughly read and understood, especially the sections on royalties and termination.
- Leaving fields blank: Make sure all areas of the contract are filled out completely to avoid ambiguity.
- Not discussing changes: Ensure that any alterations to the agreement are mutually accepted and documented.
- Failing to keep copies: Both parties should retain copies of the finalized contract for future reference.
Form popularity
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.