Publishing Contract Regarding Unfinished Manuscript
This Publishing Agreement made on the (date), between (Name of Author) of
(street address, city, state, zip code), referred to herein as Author, and (Name of
Publisher), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of
______________, with its principal office located at (street address, city, state, zip
code), referred to herein as Publisher.
Whereas, Author has submitted, and Publisher has considered and approved a
(number)-page manuscript (the Manuscript) with regard to (e.g., subject matter); and
Whereas, the working title of the proposed (e.g., Book) is (Title of Book), and it
shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Book; and
Whereas, Publisher desires to publish and offer for sale the completed Book and
is willing to contract with Author on the basis of the work completed and representations
made by Author;
Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this
Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Author’s Advance
In consideration of Author's submission of the Manuscript to Publisher and the
assignment of the copyright in it, Publisher has paid Author an advance of $_________
against royalties, receipt of which is acknowledged.
2. Completion of Manuscript
Author shall submit a completed Manuscript, typewritten and double-spaced, with
copy ready for publication to Publisher on or before (date).
3. Publisher’s Right of Rejection
Publisher shall have the right to examine the Manuscript submitted for publication
and to suggest such revisions or additions as it may deem necessary. Publisher
reserves the right to reject the Manuscript within (number) days of the receipt of it if it is
not satisfactory in substance and in form, provided that Author fails or refuses to make
or permit such revisions or additions as are deemed necessary by Publisher.
4. Completion of Text
Author shall complete the table of contents and index by (date). The index may
be prepared by Publisher's staff at a cost of $__________ to be deducted from Author's
royalties. Author shall supply written permission from the copyright proprietors with
respect to all quotations in the work for which Publisher desires permission. Author shall
supply all illustrations in a form suitable for photo reproduction, together with written
permission for all illustrations that are copyrighted, by (date).
5. Page and Galley Proofs
Author shall assume responsibility for checking all page and galley proofs. Page
and galley proofs shall be sent to Author and shall be read, corrected, initialed, and
returned to Publisher within (number) weeks after receipt. Author shall be charged
against royalties the amount of expense incurred by Publisher because of changes in
page and galley proofs other than those necessitated because of printing errors.
6. Publication
On approval of a Manuscript satisfactory in all respects, Publisher agrees to
publish and sell the volume at its own expense. The physical characteristics and
description of the volume shall be as follows:
Size: (number) inches by (number) inches;
Type: (number)-point in (style) style;
Paper quality: (paper specifications);
Binding: (type of binding); and
Cover: (cover specifications).
7. Obligation to Publish
Publisher shall provide for an initial press run of (number) copies of the initial
edition and shall expend $__________ for advertising and promotion of that edition.
These funds shall be expended as Publisher, in its discretion, deems appropriate.
Publisher shall have no obligation to print or sell further editions of the Book. Publisher
reserves the right to withdraw remaining copies of the first edition and destroy them if
sale volume is unprofitable after (number) months of active promotion of the Book.
8. Revision and Supplementation
Author shall have the right to prepare any revisions of book, or supplements to it,
which in the judgment of Publisher are necessary, under terms and conditions mutually
agreeable to the parties at the time of publication of the new edition or supplement. If
the parties fail to reach an agreement or if Author fails to prepare the required
Manuscript within (number) months of a written request by Publisher, Publisher may
have a revision or supplement prepared by a member of its own staff or by some other
Author and charge the expense against royalties payable to Author.
9. Copyright
Publisher shall, simultaneously with publication of the Book, copyright it in the
name of Publisher, and the copyright shall be the sole property of Publisher during its
good performance of this Agreement. Author's name shall appear on the title page, on
the cover, and in such advertising and promotional publicity that Publisher undertakes.
No person other than Author shall be given credit or represented as the Author of the
Book.
10. Royalties on Published Books
Author shall receive the following royalties on published Books:
A. On the initial edition, $_________ per copy;
B. On other hard-cover reprints (retailing at less than $_________ per copy),
$_______________ per copy sold; and
C. On soft-cover reprints, $_