Publishing contract clauses, explained
Holding an unfamiliar contract? Each clause below is on its own page — the typical wording, what it means in practice, what's standard, the red flags, and the language to ask for instead.
This is information, not legal advice. Contracts turn on their exact wording and your circumstances — before you sign, have a publishing lawyer or a body like the Society of Authors or the Authors Guild review the actual document.
Accounting and audit clause
This clause explains how and when you will receive royalty payments and statements from the publisher. It also outlines your…
ClauseAdvance and earn-out clause
This clause states that the publisher will pay you a lump sum, called an advance, before your book is published.…
ClauseAssignment clause
This clause states that the publisher has the right to transfer the contract or the rights given to them by…
ClauseAuthor’s copies and discount
This clause states that the publisher will give the author a certain number of free copies of their book once…
ClauseCopyright and registration clause
This clause states that the author gives the publisher ownership of the copyright for the book. The publisher promises to…
ClauseDeep-discount royalty clause
This clause states that if your book is sold at a discount above a certain percentage of its list price,…
ClauseDelivery and acceptance (satisfactory manuscript)
This clause means you must give the publisher a finished manuscript by a certain date, and the publisher has to…
ClauseEntire agreement and amendment
This clause means that the contract you are signing is the complete agreement between you and the publisher. It includes…
ClauseGoverning law and dispute resolution
This clause specifies which state's laws will be used to interpret the contract and where any legal disputes must be…
ClauseGrant of rights clause
This clause means you give the publisher the sole right to publish and sell your book in English, worldwide, for…
ClauseMoral rights and credit
This clause means that the author has the right to be recognized as the creator of their work and can…
ClauseNet vs list royalty basis
This clause explains how your royalties will be calculated: either based on the book's list price (the cover price) or…
ClauseNon-compete clause
This clause means that once your book is published, you cannot write or publish another book or work that the…
ClauseOption clause
This clause means that before you can offer your next book to another publisher, you must first give your current…
ClauseOut-of-print definition
This clause defines when your book is considered "out of print." It means that if your publisher hasn't made the…
ClauseSubsidiary rights clause
This clause states that the publisher has the right to sell or license various subsidiary rights related to your book,…
ClauseTerm and reversion clause
This clause defines how long the publisher has the rights to your book and the conditions under which those rights…
ClauseTermination and remedies
This clause explains the conditions under which either you or the publisher can end the contract. It also outlines what…
ClauseTerritory and language rights
This clause states that the publisher has the exclusive right to publish, sell, and distribute your book in every country…
ClauseWarranty and indemnity clause
This clause means that you, the author, are guaranteeing that your work is entirely your own and doesn't violate any…