Quote:
Originally Posted by teh603
I am a writer, and I have actually bothered to look up what "all unsolicited works will be considered a work for hire if accepted" means. By the same token, your referring to yourself a a "Rights Holder" suggests something entirely different about you.
By the way, did you actually read what I posted? I never once mentioned anything about writers being indentured or anything like that, only that the contracts they were being offered amounted to legalized theft.
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First I admit I am doing this in between some other things, and perhaps my full attention wasn't on it.
O.K. I looked again. You said:
"Would some of those "Rights Holders" also be the ones who legally steal copyrights from new authors using abusive Work For Hire contracts that only pay a pittance?"
Actually that could be a strong analog for indentured ("For hire contracts that only pay a pittance"). A "contract" that holds an author tightly. All work belonging to the master ("legally steal copyrights")
Except for the ability to put an indentured person into prison, I think you came pretty close to describing the arrangement.
I am the Rights Holder of my books with contractual agreements with the publisher. They can do certain things, but I have not signed over the "complete rights in perpetuity" like say some of the music people you see getting a new law that will return rights to them after 35 years I think.
I have never worked for hire or with an advance. I write a book and then I shop it. I have two publishers now that I have done repeat business with. If you have followed my posts you should realize that I don't write for a living, though that is something I have had in mind doing for some time if I ever see making enough money.
teh603, the simple truth is that in this life, if you don't need the money immediately, you can always get a better deal. When I first started and was trying to sell a book, that had gotten some interest, I had to correct a male rep who seem to be very impressed with himself and wanted me to also be impressed, and he kept inferring that "I was obligated or owed them something."
At first I ignored it, trying to keep things pleasant, and realizing that he must not fully understand the actual situation, but I finally couldn't take it anymore.
Still I am pretty good at things like that and so I looked at the second person at the table actually a subordinate older lady, and asked with a sweet smile, "Mam, was I supposed to have received a remittance that I am unaware of. I mean did you send me a check in the mail."
teh603, I enjoyed that.
I hope I made myself more clear. I also hope you didn't take offense at anything I said. Good luck with your writing.