(no subject)

[erastes]

Buggrit

Well, you live and learn, I suppose. I was wondering why Aspen Mountain Press haven't sent me an edited version of my novella "Chiaroscuro" which will (should) be coming out in December sometime, and before I emailed the publisher I thought I'd better check the contract. Proves you must ALWAYS read your contract...

The Publisher retains the right to edit and revise the Work for any and all uses described in this agreement providing the meaning of the Work is not materially altered.

HELL. That basically means they can do anything they like to it, and I don't like that at all. *cries* And I won't know anything about it until they go to publication. I shall write to them today and ask them for a version. Edit? Yes. I can't do commas. REVISE???? NO!!!

So - in that vein. Please go and read THIS which Logophilos shared with me recently, all about contracts and why you should read them, and why you should communicate any misgivings and why you need to negotiate. As Treva2007 says: AFTER you signed the contract is the wrong time to ask what it means

Comments

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I over-reacted (as usual) I'm sure it will be fine, I shouldn't be so paranoid.

:)

[clarediva.livejournal.com]

No, I think it's right to listen to your instincts, after all, it's not a totally calm, objective matter, you're concerned about your work, which means a lot to you and you're passionate about.

The main thing I took to heart from the recent discussion on contracts was that if the publisher is a good and supportive one, they won't mind you asking questions up front. So long as you're not some flake who asks the same questions time and again and continues to angst about it regardless, I presume! I had a contract at the time and I went and asked 4 or 5 things about it, so that even if the legalese remained ambiguous - which by its nature, I think it always does - I at least had some evidence of the publisher's interpretation and intention. Sorry, that sounds pompous, but hopefully you know what I mean.

And yes, I've been sitting around for a long time waiting for my editing to begin, let alone progress, but I'm reassured whenever I pop my head over the parapet that it's just a matter of being patient. That's *me* being paranoid... ^_^

Good luck with it!