Business of Writing: Contracts and Rights Management

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by Monique Campbell
How to Read Contracts and Manage Your Rights as an Author
For writers seeking to publish their work via traditional publishers, contracts and rights management remain the backbone of the business of writing. Whether you’re an entrepreneur using your book to elevate your personal brand or a professional crafting your first manuscript, understanding these elements is crucial. A contract isn’t just paperwork—it’s the framework that defines your relationship with publishers, agents, and readers. If you’re a writer not seeking a traditional publisher, my blog on 8 Reasons not to Engage in the Business of Writing will offer you insights into an alternative approach.
My PRICER methodology provides a guideline for how to approach your contract and rights management with confidence and protect your creative investment.
PRICER Methodology
Publishing Contract – Understand the Key Components
Publishing contracts can be overwhelming, but breaking them into key sections helps:
- Grant of Rights: What rights are you giving away? Common rights include print, digital, and audio. Retaining as many rights as possible, especially film, TV, and derivative works, allows you to explore future opportunities.
- Territories: Does the contract specify where your book will be distributed? Look for terms like “worldwide” or “exclusive” and ensure they align with your goals.
- Royalties and Advances: Pay close attention to how royalties are calculated—gross vs. net—and the percentage split for various formats. Understand the terms around your advance, especially when and how it must be recouped.
- Termination Clauses: Can you regain rights if the book goes out of print, or the publisher fails to meet obligations? These clauses safeguard your long-term interests.
The Authors Guild and Alliance of Independent Authors are great sources to learn more.
Royalty Structures – Pay Attention to This
Royalty structures can vary greatly depending on the publisher or platform.
- For traditional publishing, expect royalties in the range of 10-15% for print books and 25% or more for ebooks, however print can be as low as 7.5% based on insights from The Society of Authors.
- In self-publishing, platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offer 70% royalties for ebooks priced within certain limits.
Review these terms carefully to ensure they meet your financial expectations.
Intellectual Property – Protect at all Costs
Your intellectual property (IP) is your most valuable asset. Whether you’re self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher, you must ensure your rights are protected:
- Retain as Much Control as Possible: Negotiate to keep rights for adaptations, translations, and merchandise. These can be lucrative down the line.
- Understand Licensing vs. Assignment: Licensing allows others to use your work under specific conditions, whereas assignment transfers ownership entirely. Avoid assignments unless absolutely necessary.
Collaboration Clauses and Non-Competes – Execute with Caution
If you’re working on multiple projects, be cautious of exclusivity or non-compete clauses. These can limit your ability to publish other work or collaborate with different publishers.
Negotiate for reasonable flexibility to maintain creative freedom.
Expert Help – Seek out the Professionals
Contracts are dense and often contain legal jargon. Hiring a literary lawyer or consultant is an investment in your career. They can:
- Ensure you fully understand the terms.
- Negotiate better deals on your behalf.
- Identify red flags, such as unfair revenue splits or vague termination clauses.
Rights Management – Understand its Role
Rights management is about planning for the long-term value of your work. Even after your book is published, your rights can generate income through:
- Licensing deals for foreign translations, film adaptations, and merchandise.
- Reversion of rights when a contract ends, allowing you to self-publish or repurpose your work.
Stay vigilant about tracking and leveraging these opportunities to maximise the value of your book.
Final Thoughts
As a writer and professional, your words are your assets, and contracts are your roadmap to turning them into enduring value. Reading contracts with care and due diligence, protecting your rights, and understanding your intellectual property can be the difference between fleeting success and a lasting legacy.
If you’re serious about writing and building a brand, treat contracts and rights management as critical skills—not afterthoughts. Your creativity deserves to be safeguarded.
To find out more about the business of writing, check out 5 Key Areas to the Business of Writing.
Reference Source:
The Authors Guild: https://authorsguild.org/
Alliance Independent Authors: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO): https://www.wipo.int/en/web/copyright
Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202181110
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About the Author
Monique Campbell is the author of Once Bad Intentions, and spent the best part of two decades in enterprise sales. Her sales career transcends media, digital and technology sectors, driving revenue growth alongside transformation efforts that have transformed businesses.
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