New here, have a quick question.

zackmcqueen said:

This to me sounds completely ridiculous....

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It sounds completely ridiculous because ... it is. It's completely untrue.

This sounds like one of the lies that scammers tell to scare newbie writers into vanity publishing instead of seeking real publication by commercial publishers.

Since this question doesn't relate to a specific publisher or agent, I'm moving it from B&BC to Novels.

- Victoria

zackmcqueen said:

Hi everyone

I have heard that once you sign a contract with a publisher, then all the rights are handed over to them, and this means that they have the power to change anything they want about your novel: the words, the names of the characters, even the title. This to me sounds completely ridiculous, as you can spend months, even years, thinking about every single word you write and then have so much of it changed by the publisher, who is by no means the ultimate authority on what makes a good book, and will probably change it in ways that you do not want it to be changed. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it true? And if so, are there any ways around it other than self-publishing?

many thanks in advance.

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Publishers can ask for changes to any and all of these things, but you can always say no. Sometimes this does mean they won't want the book after all, but 99% for the time, when an editor asks for a change, it's to make the book better.

I don't care how long and hard you work on a novel, it isn't going to be perfect, or even very close to perfect. Publishers can, and do, ask for rewrites, revisions, etc. They often do want the title changed, and this is usually a good thing. Being a writer doesn't mean you have a clue about titles.

Editors work with writers. They seldom make major changes without the writer, and far more often than not, the editor asks for changes, and the writer is the one who makes them.

It's your book, and ultimately, what gets changed is in your hands, but there are usually good reasons for changes editors want, and you'd be wise to listen to them very closely. Don't get overly protective of your book. It isn't perfect, it can be made better, and editors are only trying to help you achieve this by working with you on the final touches.

This is why you should have an agent. If you're worried about what rights the publisher gets, then let someone who understands them handle it. "All rights" is a very bad thing. An agent will help you retain foreign rights (which can then be sold to foreign publishers), film rights (which can then be sold, too), merchandising, etc.

But yeah, listen to the more experienced folks above me in this thread. As an aspiring author, one of the worse things you can do is refuse to listen to editorial suggestions. Another bad thing to do is spend time worrying about it before you have a saleable product. Use this time to learn all you can about the business, but don't fret just yet.

zackmcqueen said:

Hi everyone

I have heard that once you sign a contract with a publisher, then all the rights are handed over to them, and this means that they have the power to change anything they want about your novel: the words, the names of the characters, even the title. This to me sounds completely ridiculous, as you can spend months, even years, thinking about every single word you write and then have so much of it changed by the publisher, who is by no means the ultimate authority on what makes a good book, and will probably change it in ways that you do not want it to be changed. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it true? And if so, are there any ways around it other than self-publishing?

many thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Unless you have a lousy agent or sell your book outright -- uncommon unless it's a work-for-hire -- few publishers acquire "all rights." Some agents, for instance, have film contacts, and so hold on to theatrical/film rights; some believe they can sell first serial rights, or the agency has a better track record with foreign sales than the publisher.

Depends on the contract. But your rights and what licenses the publisher is acquiring (you don't sell your book, you sell the licenses to publish it in varying mediums; the copyright should remain in your name) are all spelled out, in mind-numbing detail, in your contract.

At some (early) point in our careers I think nearly every writer suffers from Golden Word Syndrome. Writers who succeed are the ones who outgrow it and realize that professionals in the field of publishing usually know what the heck they're talking about.

It's in every writer, editor and publisher's best interest for a book to be successful. Suggestions for changes will be based on experience and in expectation of making the book better. Most of the time an experienced editor will be correct. That said, most of the time the editor does just that - suggest - and the author can take it or leave it.

Good luck with your ms.

Simple version:

You hold all the rights to your work. They can only take what you give them. Negotiate.

I have seen sample contracts online. You could study and compare to get a feel for what is common. Mostly I'd recommend finding a good agent.

I don't think that the original question was about rights, but about the publisher's "right" to change a manuscript at will, without the author's input or permission.

If you sell your novel to a reputable commercial publisher (large or small), there will probably be language in the contract specifically stating that no changes or edits can be made without the author's approval (and if you don't see such language, you're well advised to add it in). The idea that you give your work to a publisher and they can then do whatever they want with it is a common writer's myth (partly perpetuated, as has been pointed out, by scammers trying to lure writers into vanity publishing deals)--but it's just that, a myth.

That's not to say you won't ever encounter contract language giving the publisher the right to edit at will--but if you do, it's a big fat warning sign about the publisher.

- Victoria