I was accepted!!! (But am declining the offer.)

writerterri · Sep 14, 2011

bettielee said:
itty... bitty.... betty.... is this a tell all about me? I'll sue!!

tee hee! j/k!

Congrats!

dork!

Funny!

The full title is Itty Bitty Betty Winkie

Thanks!!

writerterri · Sep 14, 2011

Sage said:
Congrats, Terri

Thanks Sage!

BTW-- I have read the contract and it's a little iffy. If it can't be revised I may decline.

We'll see.

Shara · Sep 15, 2011

Hi Terri

Any reputable publisher would not mind if you take your contract to a lawyer to take a look at. In fact, my publisher encouraged me to do so.

This can be expensive, though. Do you know anyone in the legal profession, or anyone connected to a lawyer in some way, who might be willing to give your contract a look-see?

The publisher should certainly be happy to give you some time to peruse the contract, if you tell them you wish to do so. Nothing is legally binding until you sign.

Shara

writerterri · Sep 16, 2011

I got the help I needed. It was wonderful and informative. But in the end I think I'll be going on my own.

That's the publishing life, yeah?

Hey, but it was fun while it lasted thinking that I had finally arrived.

:tongue

Terie · Sep 16, 2011

Shara said:
Any reputable publisher would not mind if you take your contract to a lawyer to take a look at. In fact, my publisher encouraged me to do so.

This can be expensive, though. Do you know anyone in the legal profession, or anyone connected to a lawyer in some way, who might be willing to give your contract a look-see?

Although Terri has already decided to decline the offer she received, I think it's important to address this point.

When getting legal advice on a publishing contract, it's imperative that you get it from a lawyer who specialises in publishing contracts. Familiarity with contract law simply isn't good enough; the lawyer needs to understand the publishing industry and its contracts.

Many PublishAmerica contracts have been vetted by contract lawyers (who don't have knowledge of the publishing industry) and given a clean bill of health, while PA's contract is well known within the industry to be extremely poor.

Shara · Sep 16, 2011

In the UK, you can join the Society of Authors once you have a publishing contract.

You have to be an 'associate' not a full member until your book has been published, but associate membership gives you the right to send your contract to SoA's lawyers - who specialise in contracts - and they will give you advice on it free of charge. This is what I did, and I would recommend it to anyone. It's worth becoming a member simply for this service.

I don't know if a similar society exists in the US.

Shara

writerterri · Sep 16, 2011

I receive trusted help and very greatful for it. I think I'll be putting my time into finding an agent so I don't have to deal with the contract and another great idea for me would be to join NWU in the future.

Great advise Shara and Terie! They seem well worth the effort. If you're anything like me your mss are like your babies and you don't want them mistreated.

MrRiddle · Sep 16, 2011

http://www.vlany.org/

Free arts lawyers in the US.

The authors guild also has free contract review.

writerterri · Sep 16, 2011

MrRiddle said:
http://www.vlany.org/

Free arts lawyers in the US.

The authors guild also has free contract review.

Really! Thanks for the link!

MariaL · Sep 16, 2011

Well done!

mshaw2268 · Sep 16, 2011

Sorry the contract didn't work out for you, but a belated congrats on getting the offer.

Hope you can find a new home for the stories.

lady_K · Sep 16, 2011

Wow, congratulations!

I was accepted!!! (But am declining the offer.)

writerterri

It's a dorky day!

writerterri

It's a dorky day!

Shara

Fix it in the Rewrite

writerterri

It's a dorky day!

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

Shara

Fix it in the Rewrite

writerterri

It's a dorky day!

MrRiddle

writerterri

It's a dorky day!

MariaL

mshaw2268

lady_K

It's all about the F.A.M.I.L.Y :)