There are many pieces fo information that are important in a contract.
Royalties, territories and rights, some would consider the most important.
So, let's talk rights.
Firstly, what are they?
They're the actions you're permitting your publisher to do. For example, Tiger Lily asks for the rights to publish the work within the English Language within the UK (Territory) in hardback, paperback and ebook (formats).
This means we are only asking to publish the book within the UK. They will not be given permission by you to publish your work within the entire commonwealth.
If a publisher asked for to be allowed to publish the audiobook globally, they would have to word it similar to asking for world rights specifically for the adudiobook format or all.
The type of rights they ask for is also important. Do they just want the right to publish your work in the country, the exclusive rights or the first exclusive rights?
The difference is vast.
Having the right to publish your work means you can publish your work with as many publishers in that country as you'd like. This is the yoke of right Tiger Lily asks for: you can publish with another publishing house if they also only ask for the rights to publish in the UK. It isn't just us (or now - we're aware that's a big risk for a new publishing house!).
Exclusive rights is what the likes of Penguin or HarperColins asks for: they are the only ones allowed to publish your work in whatever territory and language they ask for. If they ask for this type, it will be expressed under the rights clause as Exclusive Rights for the territory and language they wish.
Exclusive first rights is a step further: it must not have been published else where before. They will be the first and only [if all goes well] to publish it.
If it isn't written out explicitly, ask the publisher which they are asking for. If it isn't written as Explicitly as the examples above, they should e only asking for the rights to publish, not exclusivity to your work.
Also always ask about this in a call to your publisher or agent,even if its written in the contract. Just make sure it is truly what is being offered.
Comentarios