"Query" for Reprints

Good question. I don't know the answer, but maybe also if it's won any awards and also a statement that you retain appropriate rights?

Nicole

Pretty much all you've listed, along with what Nicole mentioned (if applicable)...that's all I would put in.

any awards / noteable critical praise, sales figures if relevant, how long the book was in print for, placing on any bestseller lists, or any 'best of' 'editors picks' etc at industry publications or chain bookstores.

Also it might be wise to indicate why your old publisher didn't want to reprint the book/renew the contract. Be honest with teh new publisher though if they ask outright. If your publisher went bankrupt for example, then say so. Or of it's a book that was in print 20 years ago and at the time you never thought about a reprint then say so too.

shaldna said:

Also it might be wise to indicate why your old publisher didn't want to reprint the book/renew the contract. Be honest with teh new publisher though if they ask outright. If your publisher went bankrupt for example, then say so. Or of it's a book that was in print 20 years ago and at the time you never thought about a reprint then say so too.

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Remember this is the short fiction forum. You usually sell one time rights for short fiction, so there's no renewing going on (and no need to explain it to a future publisher, other than saying the old contract is clear/you still have the rights).

Polenth said:

You usually sell one time rights for short fiction

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Which is why it's always good to have contracts in writing, or at least publicly available so you can print them off...always be sure the rights you're selling are the rights you're willing to offer.

Heck, some of my reprints have garnered more payment than the original sale. Not common, I imagine, but still...

astonwest said:

Which is why it's always good to have contracts in writing, or at least publicly available so you can print them off...always be sure the rights you're selling are the rights you're willing to offer.

Heck, some of my reprints have garnered more payment than the original sale. Not common, I imagine, but still...

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It's pretty common. Over time, reprints should earn more than the original sale. One of my sold for nothing the first time out, and has earned several tousand dollars since.

I like contracts, too, and most of my sales have come with contracts, but if there is no contract of any sort, you're automatically selling first rights, or one time reprint rights. You can't sell what isn't spelled out.