Book Publishing Agreement

Creative

Author-publisher contract defining manuscript rights transfer, royalty structures, editorial control, publication timelines, and rights reversion for bringing literary works to market through traditional publishing channels.

Book Publishing Agreement

Disclaimer: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified legal professional before using any legal document.

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Key Clauses

  • 1

    Grant of Rights

    Specifies which publishing rights the author grants, including format, territory, and language.

  • 2

    Royalties and Advances

    Details royalty rates for each format, advance payments, and accounting periods.

  • 3

    Editorial Control

    Defines the publisher's editing rights and the author's approval requirements.

  • 4

    Publication Timeline

    Sets deadlines for manuscript delivery, editing, and publication date.

  • 5

    Reversion of Rights

    Establishes when rights revert to the author if the book goes out of print.

When You Need This

  • An author is signing with a publishing house for a new book
  • Self-publishing authors licensing distribution rights to a publisher
  • Negotiating royalty terms and advance payments for a manuscript
  • Securing reversion rights to protect long-term authorship interests

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Book Publishing Agreement?

Author-publisher contract defining manuscript rights transfer, royalty structures, editorial control, publication timelines, and rights reversion for bringing literary works to market through traditional publishing channels.

What should a Book Publishing Agreement include?

A comprehensive book publishing agreement should include: grant of rights, royalties and advances, editorial control, publication timeline, reversion of rights.

When do I need a Book Publishing Agreement?

An author is signing with a publishing house for a new book. Self-publishing authors licensing distribution rights to a publisher. Negotiating royalty terms and advance payments for a manuscript. Securing reversion rights to protect long-term authorship interests.

Is this template legally binding?

Templates provide a strong starting point, but we recommend having important agreements reviewed by a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction to ensure they meet local legal requirements.

Can I customize this template?

Yes — all bracketed [placeholder] fields can be replaced with your specific information. You can also add, remove, or modify clauses to fit your particular situation.

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