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Sep. 11th, 2007 01:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
erastesI'd like to say something regarding certain matters that have been happening recently on the EAA.
I am, as you probably know, Director of the Erotic Authors Association. It's not the biggest association in the pond, and it's free to join. There's only me mainly, running it, although other web presences are maintained by Jolie de Pre and James Buchanan. I have some admin assistance and a lot of support from Gehayi. I am attempting, by galvanising the networking group, getting articles published on the site, and attracting new members to breathe new life into it.
I'm also trying my best to do right by the members. So when someone approaches me with concerns over a publisher's contract I am duty bound to look at it.
I am not, nor have I ever said I am, a lawyer or a solicitor. I am a "paralegal" only. I have half a qualification. (Ilex Part One) This doesn't mean that I have dropped out, but it does mean I need at least another year of night school to be a qualified Legal Executive.
That being said, I have done a lot of contract law, and I work with Agreements and contracts all day. I can see when things might not be as written as well as they might. The contract in question needed revision and I said so: to the publisher themselves and to EPIC (no response). I also asked for a second opinion from those more qualified than I - a contract lawyer at work, Preditors & Editors and Piers Anthony - All three concurred with me. The contract needed revision and should not be signed as is. I therefore advised the members of the EAA accordingly.
I have been criticised for doing this by a third party - even though the publisher itself has been professional and polite in their response and has said that they will amend the contract and will forward me a copy when that has been done, which I greatly appreciate.
I stand firm on my actions. As Director it's my job to investigate and to advocate on behalf of my members - and if - as has happened in this case - it improves matters - then I've done the right thing.
