What to Look for in a Publishing Contract

A publishing contract is a legally binding agreement that will govern your relationship with your publisher and control the fate of your work for years, possibly decades. Understanding the key clauses before you sign is essential.

Ensure the royalty rate is clearly stated as a percentage of either RRP or net receipts. Check payment frequency — quarterly or semi-annually is standard. Confirm the threshold for payment.

You are granting the publisher a licence to publish your work. Examine: territorial rights; format rights (print, digital, audio, large print); language rights; and subsidiary rights (film, TV, translation, merchandise). With Creative Books SA's self-publishing service, you retain all rights at all times.

Most publishing contracts include an option clause requiring you to offer your next book to the same publisher first. Be wary of broadly worded options. Negotiate for a narrow option with a time-limited response period.

Ensure the clause specifies a minimum sales threshold (e.g., fewer than 200 copies sold in any 12-month period) that triggers reversion of rights to you — not merely the physical availability of stock.

You will be asked to warrant that the work is original and does not infringe copyright or contain defamatory material. Understand the indemnity provisions before signing.