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Originally Posted by anamardoll
A problem with book contracts, in my opinion, is that they're essentially a contract between a powerful party and a powerless one.
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Welcome to life.
There are never any guarantees that both parties in a contract will be on equal footing. If you're in a weak negotiating position and don't know how to turn the situation to your advantage, it's still your choice to sign the contract.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by anamardoll
I recently spoke with an author who got picked up for an ebook and she has only just now realized that her contract says that her publisher gets dibs on all future books she writes....
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Your author should've gotten a better lawyer. Or a lawyer, period.
Or read the contract before she signed it.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by anamardoll
This isn't something that can be easily fixed by getting a lawyer.
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Yes, it can.
Seriously, if it is a
surprise to her that she signed a contract that gives the publisher dibs on "all" future books, then she and/or her lawyer screwed up royally.
I might add that such a clause is highly unusual for book contracts. Normally book contracts are for a limited number of books. If it's a work-for-hire situation, it's for a limited period of time. I.e. she may not have accurately explained her situation, or
still doesn't know what she signed.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by anamardoll
Pardon me for pointing out the obvious -- they cost money. A lot of money. Not all aspiring authors have day jobs as software engineers like me.  |
True, but that's part of the cost of being an author.
Good real estate lawyers are hard to find, and are not cheap; but you still need one if you're buying a home.