“Simon & Schuster Rights Grab”

Kristen King

This notice was forwarded to me by an Authors Guild member and I repost it here with permission.

Simon & Schuster has changed its standard contract language in an attempt to retain exclusive control of books even after they have gone out of print. Until now, Simon & Schuster, like all other major trade publishers, has followed the traditional practice in which rights to a work revert to the author if the book falls out of print or if its sales are low.

The publisher is signaling that it will no longer include minimum sales requirements for a work to be considered in print. Simon & Schuster is apparently seeking nothing less than an exclusive grant of rights in perpetuity. Effectively, the publisher would co-own your copyright.

The new contract would allow Simon & Schuster to consider a book in print, and under its exclusive control, so long as it’s available in any form, including through its own in-house database — even if no copies are available to be ordered by traditional bookstores.

Other major trade publishers are not seeking a similar perpetual grant of rights.

We urge you to consider your options carefully:

Remember that if you sign a contract with Simon & Schuster that includes this clause, they’ll say you’re wed to them. Your book will live and die with this particular conglomerate.
Ask your agent to explore other options. Other publishers are not seeking an irrevocable grant of rights.
If you have a manuscript that may be auctioned, consider asking your agent to exclude Simon & Schuster imprints unless they agree before the auction to use industry standard terms.
Let us know if other major publishers follow suit. Any coordination among publishers on this matter has serious legal implications.

Feel free to forward and post this message in its entirety.

The Authors Guild (www.authorsguild.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest organization of published book authors.

__________________________________________
www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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Query Challenge Recap from Susan Johnston

Kristen King

Updated 5/18/07 – A note from Susan herself

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Susan posted about her Query Challenge Experience over at The Urban Muse, including a count of accepts/rejects/no-answers and some excellent advice for those still working toward their 120 queries. Check it out!

From Susan:

I recently had a success story appear in Writers Weekly: http://www.writersweekly.com/success_stories/003993_04112007.html.

You should encourage other query participants (and you, of course) to submit their success stories to [WritersWeekly.com]. It’s an easy $30 and great exposure. Plus, Angela [Hoy] is great to work with!

Thanks for a great suggestion, Susan! And don’t stop at success stories, folks. WW accepts submissions in several categories. Read their general submission guidelines here.

__________________________________________
www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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Tip for Targeting Your Markets

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — When you’re researching potential markets for your queries, take a moment to see if you can locate the advertising rate card or media kit on their website. This handy little document will provide information about reader demographics, geographic breakdown of their circulation, and exactly what content they publish in what proportions. You may even find the editorial calendar for the next 6-12 months, along with content deadlines, to help you time your submissions!

The better you understand the publication, the more successful your query will be.

Now, go for it!

__________________________________________
www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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2007 Query Challege Success Story #22 (from Gale Martin)

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Received May 3, 2007

Guess what! I sent out another piece of writing in order to hit my ten queries, a humorous essay called THE ICE CREAM MAN COMETH. It was accepted by the Christian Science Monitor.

Now THAT’s a good clip, well paying, too.

Thank you, Kristen, for the inspiration.

Gale

Holy crap, Gale, that’s awesome!!! I think most of us would give our left arm (not our right, because we need that for writing :]) for a clip from Christian Science Monitor. What’s your secret???

Do you have a 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge Success Story? Great! E-mail me!
__________________________________________
www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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2007 Query Challege Success Story #21 (from Gale Martin)

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Received May 1, 2007

Subject: I won a writing contest!

Kristen,

I wanted you to know that in efforts to hit my ten queries last month, I entered a first chapter of my newest novel in a novel contest sponsored by WritersBillboard.net.

And I WON first place.

I was trolling around, looking for outlets to submit my work, because of the query challenge you issued back in January.

Thanks, Kristen!

I will forever be grateful to you and your outstanding idea to spur on writers to submit more of their work.

Kindest regards!
Gale

Good for you, girl! You’re an award-winning writer, and rightfully so. Keep up the great work.

Do you have a 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge Success Story? Great! E-mail me!

__________________________________________
www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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