Comments on: Knowing When to Walk Away from a Publishing Deal

By: Mary Langer Thompson

Mary Langer Thompson — Thu, 25 May 2017 00:44:27 +0000

This advice applies not only to book contracts, but also anthologies of essays/articles, short stories and poems, either on the way to building your platform for an eventual book or if you write for them and may want to one day gather them into a collection. Look at the rights you are giving away, in particular.

By: wendyleslie

wendyleslie — Tue, 23 May 2017 04:14:32 +0000

Thank you Susan. Not sure yet what I have to decide upon. What it all means.
But am hoping my intended agent (with successful mainstream authors) heads me in the right direction. And I will certainly weigh it all up along with your advice. Thanks again.

By: Evelyn Dotson

Evelyn Dotson — Sun, 21 May 2017 14:09:37 +0000

Thank you for this incredible article full of great advice for the author.

By: Top Picks Thursday! For Writers & Readers 05-18-2017 | The Author Chronicles

Thu, 18 May 2017 17:04:47 +0000

[…] We’re all eager for that book contract. But Susan Spann reminds us we also need to know when to walk away from a publishing deal. […]

By: Writing Links 5/15/17 – Where Genres Collide

Writing Links 5/15/17 – Where Genres Collide — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:07:41 +0000

[…] https://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/05/knowing-when-to-walk-away-from-a-publishing-deal/ You have the power to refuse that doesn’t meet your standards. […]

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Sun, 14 May 2017 05:03:55 +0000

wonderful advice. thank you!

denise

By: Sue Simonich

Sue Simonich — Sun, 14 May 2017 00:25:25 +0000

Wonderful advice as always Susan. For the unseasoned among us, do you have suggestions on what is important to consider when going into a contractual agreement? I know this will probably vary, but a baseline of knowledge would be helpful. Are there any classes you might recommend that would answer the new author's concerns?

By: Susan Spann

Susan Spann — Fri, 12 May 2017 23:24:51 +0000

In reply to Holly Robinson. Thanks Holly, I'm glad you liked it!

By: Susan Spann

Susan Spann — Fri, 12 May 2017 23:24:22 +0000

In reply to Haven4Writers. It's definitely important for authors to manage their contracts properly, no matter which publishing path they choose. My best advice for author-publishers is actually to hire an attorney familiar with publishing contracts (including vendor agreements), and not to work with anyone who doesn't have a professional, written contract that the author-publisher's attorney has reviewed. Professional publishing houses hire lawyers to represent them in their business endeavors, and author-publishers are running a publishing house - thus, they need counsel too, and for the same reasons.

By: Susan Spann

Susan Spann — Fri, 12 May 2017 23:22:02 +0000

In reply to Terri Benson. I'm sorry you ended up in a place you wish you hadn't, Terri - but I'm glad you now know what to look out for (even though I do wish you didn't have to have the bad experience along the way!)