Agreement between authors and publishers are very essential, this is because there is a cat and mouse relationship between authors and publishers.
The author perceives that the publishers as exploiting their intellectuals properly to their own detriment. While publisher perceives that the authors as no considerate especially on huge amount of money that is invested in publishing their works. Ian Montagne’s (1995) a Canadian book publishing consultant gives a checklist guidelines for the writing of agreements between author and publishers: it goes:
- An undertaking by the publisher to publish the work promptly and effectively.
- An undertaken by the publisher to protect the author legal work by taking all necessary steps to ensure copyright protection
- Agreement on who will be responsible for preparing an index if one is needed.
- An undertaking by the author that the work is the original and does not infringe the copyright of any other person, and that permission has been obtained to include any material that is in the copyright of another person
- A transfer of the author’s copyright in the work to the publisher of the exclusive right to publish the work in all forms and language worldwide, or with certain right reserved.
- Agreement that the work will be published in the manner the publisher considered appropriate, including decision about price, print run, cover design and publicity.
- If royalty are paid, provision for reduced royalties on edition sales and sales of subsidiary rights (often half the normal royalty on printed copies sold to another publishers, and 50% of revenue received from the sale or license of rights).
- An undertaking by the author to check the proof for error and return it within a specified period.
- An undertaking by the publisher to show the author proof of the typesetting.
- Specification for the manuscript, including the proposed length in words and the maximum number of illustrations.
- Physical specification for the manuscript (clear, type-written or computer-printed on A4 bond paper, double spaced with wide margins e.t.c) and possible for the illustrations.
Note: it is important to know that writing a contract that is both comprehensive and user friendly takes time, and the find result should be checked by a lawyer.
THE NEW ERA PUBLISHING
Four key pillars
- Authority: uncertainty and constant change creates the need for publishing brands to assert confident leadership and a strong point of view for its audience to align itself with. It’s about being brave enough to be clearly differentiated, stand out and invite your audience to join in, turning them into loyal fans, followers and friends. Publishers need to share in the beliefs of their audience, and openly and actively promote change in world.
- Utility: publishing 3.0 is all about editing, afrgregating, providing commentary, creating utility, being easy to consume,buy, or find. Different habit, preferences, needs and likes.
- Sociability: a strong publishing brand should have a strong and intriguing personality. Publishers needs to celebrate the journalist and the creators at the heart of their product. They need to think beyond publishing schedule and instead create serendipitous experiences, catch people off guard, provoke thought and emotions, recreate memories, be ready for dialogue, listen first and then respond.
- Agility: speed is become as important as publishing tool as production quality. Publishers should not be ashamed to follow the crowd, and make the most of changing social and cultural climates. Publishing 3.0 is about collaboration, serendipity and spontaneity every single day.
Publishers will work with advertisers to align bbrands and audiences through information, data, technology and crucially relationships. Publishers are no longer selling mass audiences, but trust, relevance, investigation and challenge.
As for agencies, it’s time for them to consider the value exchange and work with publishers and advertisers to support and create a high value content industry maximizing the distribution opportunity available through the digital giants
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