(Article-listicle)

Happy moment: Your manuscript has been accepted! As long as the euphoria lasts, you must remain vigilant, because now a difficult process is coming: the discussion and conclusion of the publishing contract. In order not to be deceived, we recommend reading these few tips.

1. Come with a flight agent. Remember: one head is good, but two are better. Your colleague may notice a detail you missed or know a specific legal term.
2. Specify the type of agreement. Is it “traditional” (the publisher has the exclusive rights to publish your book, to control the pricing and to take a percentage of the profits) or “self-publishing” (you retain all the rights to the book and keep all of the profits)? Or maybe “hybrid” (mixed between traditional and self-publishing; you retain the copyright but give the exclusive right to publish and distribute the book to the publisher. The publisher won’t give you an advance, but will typically pay a higher share of royalties)?
3. Reread! Each section. For several times. These can be deadlines, rights you will grant to the publisher, reward you will receive (advance, royalties, percentage of sales, etc.), copyright, cancellation terms, appeals, contract duration, territory of use, moral rights, creative control (will cover design, promotion, or translation be discussed with you?), terms of delivery, distribution, and sales…
4. Put in a good word («замовте словечко»). Negotiation is from “negotiate,” so, everything you agree verbally should be documented on paper. To get the most favorable terms, use mitigating strategies (clarifiers, sweeteners, softeners, and “things left unsaid”). Be careful: anything you agree on can be used against you!
5. Discuss in the future tense. The publication is a promising process. Specify the point about keeping several copies of the contract and what will happen after the book is released to the world, and foresee several plans (from the optimistic “A” to the worst “F”). Maybe you’ll get lucky and have a whole series of books published by this publisher, or another will offer you better terms.

I hope my tips help you stay profitable without hiring a legal professional. Or not, life is such a lottery. In any case, I wish you to be a successful creator who is not afraid to be heard!