How to Read a Book Contract – Somebody’s Gonna Die

Per a request in the comments, from an earlier post on The Passive Voice Let’s assume you are an author represented by a literary agent. If Passive Guy asks you who your agent is, you’ll respond with something like “Suzanne Jones” or “James Davis.” Passive Guy is certain Suzanne and James are wonderful people, but they’re … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – Agency Clause

A reprise of an earlier post: An agency clause may be inserted into a publishing contract between an author and a publisher. In essence, a typical agency clause provides that the agent may receive royalty payments on behalf of the author and has authority to act in the name of the author with respect to … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – For Avoidance of Doubt

A reprise of a post from last year. Contract clauses beginning with the phrase, “For the avoidance of doubt” are a common feature of business contracts. For example, Company A is negotiating a three-year contract with Company B to purchase twenty different products from Company B. The contract includes ten pages outlining minimum purchases, pricing … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – Non-Competition

Continuing a Thanksgiving weekend reprise of the most popular earlier posts. Once more, Passive Guy dips into his Contract Collection for another little horror. (What?! You haven’t contributed to PG’s Contract Collection yet? Click HERE to mend your ways!) PG doesn’t disclose who, what or where regarding the sources for his contracts and he has modified today’s … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – Contempt

Passive Guy has so many other things on his plate, he should put his inner ranter on hold, but a rant’s got to do what a rant’s got to do. As PG has read book contracts for his clients (Thank You!) and contracts contributed to his Contract Collection (Thank You!), one message keeps coming through … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – Agents and the Law

Given all the recent uproar about agents getting into the publishing business plus the constant drumbeat about successful indie authors being solicited by agents for representation, it’s time to look at an Agency Contract. Before diving into the details of this contract, let’s review some basic legal principles that govern the relationship of a principal … Read more

How to Read a Book Contract – For Avoidance of Doubt

Contract clauses beginning with the phrase, “For the avoidance of doubt” are a common feature of business contracts. For example, Company A is negotiating a three-year contract with Company B to purchase twenty different products from Company B. The contract includes ten pages outlining minimum purchases, pricing and quantity discounts, price adjustments for changes in … Read more