Get it in Writing

Writing together can be much more fun and productive than slaving in front of a glowing computer alone all day. As creative writers, however, many of us tend to gloss over the boring legal aspects of our craft. That is why Writer's Secret: MasterMind Your Way to Publishing Success - and ideally your group - devotes a section to the technical details that can make or break a writing arrangement. As Jennifer's intellectual property attorney reminds her - It is always cheaper to anticipate issues rather than clear up messes after ink has dried. 

When working collaboratively, all responsibilities and rewards need to be spelled out clearly before the words start flowing. How will any financial gains be divided. How will costs be shared? While each creative project is unique, the types of arrangements tend to fall in set genres and their accompanying paperwork needs to be the first joint endeavor.

Collaboration Agreements: Used when two or more writers work together on a project; it should spell out what is required of each party - and the consequence if one of the members fails to live up to the agreement. 

Work-for-Hire Agreement: Used by publishing companies when they commission or assign work to a writer, rather than a writer approaching them with an idea. With a WFH agreement, the writer is doing work in exchange for a flat fee and will not own any rights in the work.

Partnership Agreement: Similar to a collaboration agreement, a partnership agreement generally implies that there is more to the project than just a boo - maybe a web site or spin off product. 

Release Form: Release forms should be used whenever you are including material in your books/articles that you did not write yourself. An example is a story release form that each contributor to an anthology would have to sign in order to have a story appear in a book.

Dot your "i" and cross your "f"s and you will be much more likely to write a happy ending.

Yours in Writing

Promptmasters

Jennifer Sander and 

JT Long