By Susan Spann Last week, someone asked me if I’d ever written a post about the legalities of contracting with multiple publishers (or publishers and others) for various forms and formats of the same creative work. In simpler language: “What do I need to know before I license print rights to one publisher and then…
Author: Susan Spann
Don’t Get Caught in the Royalty Net
By Susan Spann My last guest post here at the RMFW blog took an overview look at publishing rights, with a focus on the “Big Four” – Exclusivity, Geography, Translation, and Formats. Today, we’re taking a look at royalties – specifically, at royalty calculation and the contract language which bases an author’s royalties on “gross”…
Do You Know Your (Publishing) Rights?
By Susan Spann The grant of rights to the publisher is among the most important (and trickiest) terms in a publishing contract. Although the paragraph itself is seldom long, it’s often connected to several others, not all of which are obvious during an initial read. Regardless of the length or complexity of the terms, it’s critical for…
Examining the Elephant: Publishing Contracts, Part 1
By Susan Spann Autumn has arrived, and it’s time to turn the monthly “legalese” column from thoughts on pitching to talk of publishing deals. My legal practice focuses on publishing contracts, so it makes some sense to focus on the “terms and conditions” part of the publishing process here. In the months to come, we’ll…
Pitch Like a Pro (Part 2)
By Susan Spann Last month, we took a look at the four vital elements of a winning “elevator pitch.” This week, we’re putting the elements together – just in time for Colorado Gold! To play along, you’ll need a list with your novel’s protagonist, active antagonist, stakes, and high concept. (Remember: high concept might or…