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The Author’s Bill of Rights

By Mark Levine

All authors have the right to expect certain things from a self-publishing company. Only choose a publisher that:

Article I
Allows you to see a copy of their publishing contract on demand. (If a copy is not posted on the publisher’s web site.)

Article II
Takes no rights to your book whatsoever, including the right to negotiate rights on your behalf with any third party. (e.g. movie rights, bookclub rights, etc.)

Article III
Explains exactly how the royalty percentage is calculated and doesn’t back out vague expense such as “administrative” and “processing” fees.

Article IV
Does not double-dip when it comes to royalties. Double-dipping is when the publisher pads the actual cost of printing the book (which is subtracted out of the gross sale price before calculating royalties) and still take a portion of the royalty.

Article V
Does not give itself a trade discount for sales it makes through its own online store.

Article VI
Allows you to terminate your contract at any time and without penalty by giving no more than 60 days written notice.

Article VII
Upon termination of the contract, immediately ceases selling your work, except for any remaining copies of your book still in the publisher’s possession.

Article VIII
Upon all termination of the contract, gives you all digital files that contain your formatted book and the cover art in a format that will allow you to print copies of the book without incurring additional formatting fees. •

© Mark Levine 2006

06/01/06