[natasha_fawn]

Hi folks,

I'm asking for advice for my mother, who recently finished writing a biography of my father (aka "The Book."). Last summer she sent out proposals to University presses, and has had favorable responses from two. The first asked for some revisions, which she sent, and has since offered a contract. (The contract specifies a hardcover version and an electronic version, including a certain number of images.) While she was doing the revisions for the first, a second asked for revisions.

She's at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed. Neither of us are familiar with book contracts: What to look for, what to expect, what's reasonable and what isn't, how much negotiation can she do? (Her lawyer can explain the legaleze but doesn't generally work with this kind of thing.) Then there's the question of leaving the first publisher hanging while waiting for a response from the second.

I realize that most(?) people here are self-published, but I'm hoping at least a few of you will have some insight and advice for us. Are there resources that you have found helpful? Is the process likely to be different since these are University presses? We're ecstatic that publishers are interested in The Book, but a little intimidated at this point, so any advice is welcome.

Thanks!