Read the Fine Print

What's in a contract? Why would you need to sign one if you're self-publishing?

As we continue our journey in the Indie Author Blueprint series, today’s podcast discussion focused on the crucial role that contracts play in self-publishing.

As an indie author, you will have some contracts to sign, even if you don’t have a traditional publishing agreement. You’ll need to be savvy about what questions to ask and know what goes into a contract. Always read every word of a document. Every word.

You would be surprised at how little people read in legally binding agreements.

Understanding Contracts in Publishing

Contracts are essential for protecting your rights and ensuring fair compensation. They differ significantly between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Traditional authors often engage with agents and publishers, involving extensive contracts. In self-publishing, while you may not sign an agreement with yourself, there are situations where contracts are necessary.

Types of Contracts in Self-Publishing

• Service Agreements

  If you hire a self-publishing platform, expect a contract that outlines deliverables and payment. Even when handling everything independently, platform agreements will confirm you own the rights to your content.

• Distribution Contracts

  These agreements dictate how your book will be distributed, covering aspects such as royalties, fees, and exclusivity.

• Work for Hire Agreements

  Engaging freelancers for editing, design, and marketing requires contracts detailing deliverables, timelines, and fees.

In the podcast audio, we covered contracts in more detail. It’s important to Thoroughly educate yourself about contract terms. For complex contracts, consider consulting a publishing lawyer or an industry expert. Subscription-based legal services can also provide accessible advice. I happen to use one of these for my own contract input. I pay a monthly fee, and I have access to a lawyer, who looked over my contract template to make sure I had covered all the legal details.

My contract covers the terms of what I will deliver, when I will deliver those services, the cost, the client’s rights, and more.

If you’re looking for an example of a service contract after you listen to the audio, you’ll find a sample of my own contract that I use with clients for editing, book covers, and coaching below. That file is available for paid subscribers to Indie Author Blueprint to download.

Subscribers get behind the scenes with examples from my own work as well as bonus worksheets and forms. Their monthly fee of $8 is a way of thanking me for providing the information. Considering that my coaching is $60 per hour at the base rate, it’s a great deal.

Congratulations on investing in your business as an indie author by spending the time to educate yourself on contracts! You can’t go wrong when you invest in your learning.

—Michelle