Publishing Pitfalls

Refusing to Revert Rights When Books Go Out of Print

Your book has not sold a single copy in two years. The publisher considers it still in print. Your rights are still held. This is how they justify it — and how you fight back.

Locking Authors Into Long-Term Contracts With No Exit Clause

A seven-year contract with no performance benchmarks and no exit clause is not a publishing deal. It is a trap. Here is what to look for before you sign anything.

Improper Termination of Publishing Contracts

The publisher terminated your contract but kept selling your book. Or they terminated without cause and refused to return your files. Both are actionable. Here is what to do.

Publishing Contracts That Hide Royalty Definitions

Your contract says 15% royalties. But 15% of what — cover price, net receipts, or publisher profit? The definition determines everything. Most authors never ask.

Publishers Who Charge Authors for Their Own Files

You paid for the cover. You paid for the interior layout. Now they want $500 to release the files to you. Those files are yours. Here is the language that proves it.

The Vanity Press That Calls Itself a Traditional Publisher

They accepted your manuscript enthusiastically. Then came the invoice. Here is exactly how to tell the difference between a legitimate publisher and a vanity press wearing a professional costume.