Author/Author Contracts by Perdomo Law

Author/agent contract allow writers to have someone as a link-between them and publishers. Agents also assist with marketing, lecture preparation, and book tours. The agent is also in charge of negotiating rates and editing and selecting cover art and other information.

Their contract with the writer will determine the tasks they perform and the amount they receive. Writers should contact an Author Agent Contract Law Firm to prepare documentation or review agreements provided by the agent to protect their interests.

Types of Author/Agent Contracts

Author/agent contracts usually allow the agent to represent the writer and submit their work to publishers. Many agreements lack the specifics that authors require to maintain some control over their work and profit. Agents may not include these details in their contracts with the author, but they may consist of clauses in agreements with publishers. An author may fail to notice these clauses and inadvertently agree to pay more to the agent or give up more rights than intended.

Authors can insist that the agreement they sign state that their agent is not permitted to include clauses in third-party contracts. Many other details must be clarified when completing a legal agreement like -

  • Who Receives Payments

  • Establish Payment Rate

  • Type of Representation

  • Extent of Authority

  • Length of Agreement

How Can Authors Get Their Rights Back?

Authors may request that the rights to their work be returned to them on occasion. The probability of a good regain of publishing rights is enhanced by badly drafted contracts or agents that refuse to follow the requirements specified in an agreement. Authors can also be competitive for claims if the rights were previously owned by a publisher or someone else who has since gone out of business. There are numerous ways for writers to reclaim control of their intellectual property. In these cases, an Author Agent Contract Law Firm can assist. To know more, visit Perdomo Law.