| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Media Issues > Topic: Publisher Sold..What Happens to Book Contract? |
Topic: Publisher Sold..What Happens to Book Contract?
| Author | Message |
| aj | Posted – 8/16/2007 1:55:50 PM | show profile The publisher of my book was recently sold and absorbed by another company. To make a long story short, everything surrounding my book (marketing efforts, sales reports, etc.) has virtually disappeared. I've decided to do a little investigating as my agent has also come up empty. The new company has a presence but I can't get anyone to answer my questions. I'm looking to update my book with a new edition and would prefer to do so with a new publisher. My question is, does anyone know what percentage of a book needs to be changed (it's a non fiction title) to have it considered a completely new book? Is my contract still valid if it is now held under another company? I know I need to speak to an attorney who specializes in this matter. But if anyone has advice or has gone through a similar situation, I'd love to hear from you. Or, if you just have the name of a great attorney who handles publishing contracts, please pass over his/her name. Thank you in advance! |
| westsidestory | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:15:05 PM | show profile AJ, your contract is still valid. It is now owned by the new company. What to do depends on how "recent" the sale was. Tell your agent to find out who the Contracts Manager is at the new company, and then request a "rights reversion" by letter. Do not do this yourself. Have your agent do this - that's what you pay them a percentage of your royalties for. If your agent doesn't know to do that, get another agent. You do not need an attorney to extract yourself from a publisher that may be perfectly happy to jettison your property if it doens't fit their mold. Alternately, you may find they do want your book property. Then the door is open to having them pay you an advance for a revised edition. Keep us posted. No need to panic. You just need patience. I'm working with a publisher now with acquired another publisher's list in January, and they are still going through the boxes and boxes of author contract files. It takes time. |
| aj | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:20:56 PM | show profile Thanks for your quick reply, Westsidestory. I really appreciate your advice! |
