Understanding Publishers' Contracts - Softcover

This standard work on the subject of publishers' agreements has now been updated and extensively revised by the author. Agreements nowadays are usually long and complex and even the most experienced authors may sometimes find it difficult to interpret the basic terms of a contract, and for first-time authors it can be a largely incomprehensible document The author analyses a typical contract, explaining the meaning of each clause, commenting on its effect. He goes on not only to cover many of the variations of the clauses which authors may meet, but also to point out those terms which may be considered as below present-day standards of fairness. Michael Legat also covers typical contracts from paperback houses and US and foreign publishers, and gives advice on the documents which may be drawn up in respect of articles and stories purchased by magazines and newspapers. Readers will also find useful information on such matters as author/agent agreements, permissions letters, and where to go for further help in case of trouble. This book will be an invaluable addition to any authors library.

Michael Legat has spent some fifty years in the book business. During his long career as Editorial Director, first of Corgi books and then of Cassell, he was also responsible for the wording of publishing agreements used by those houses. Since becoming a full-time author in 1978, he has published five novels and seventeen non-fiction books. The latter include An Author's Guide to Publishing, Writing for Pleasure and Profit, The Nuts and Bolts of Writing, Plotting the Novel and Revision: An Author's Guide, all published by Robert Hale. He lives in Horsted Keynes, West Sussex.