Negotiation of Author/Publisher Contracts for the Experienced Author, Part Two
April 2009

Members (Free)

Non-Member Cost $25 (Upon payment, click "Return to Text and Academic Authors Association" and you will be able to download teleconference)

Presented by Michael R. Lennie, Esq., Lennie Literary & Author's Attorneys (visit Lennie Literary web site)

In this 90-minute teleconference, Michael Lennie continues his March 4 discussion of the hot issues authors need to know, including:

• How course management platforms can halve your royalties
  
• How do publisher supplements ("PubSupps") reduce your royalties
  
• An Unfair Trade: don't let the publisher sweet talk you into giving up your 6 year Statute of Limitations in exchange for an Audit Clause
• Kits and kits within kits -- "Magic Number Mischief".

Michael will also explain just what a successful author's focus should be during negotiations, including:

• Subtleties of The Revision Clause:
  
  • What defines revision of an electronic book
  • How to avoid the "Help: my Textbook's Been Kidnapped and I've Been Kicked Off the Island" syndrome
• How to convert the revision clause to your advantage
• Subtleties of the Competing Works Clause:
  • How to avoid having your textbook authoring career put in shackles before it begins
  • How to create a very limited competing works clause - one that allows you to continue your writing career
• How to use re-openers - or, "if you can't get it now, get it later"
• The Right of Approval vs. the Right of Consultation
• What is the very strongest "Leverage Device" at your disposal?

Michael Lennie has negotiated hundreds of major contracts for both established and first-time authors of text and trade books. He regularly speaks at workshops and conferences around the country about current legal issues in publishing. Michael has been an active member of TAA since its inception in 1987, has served as the legal advisor to TAA, and has served several terms on TAA's Council. According to Publishers Weekly Michael negotiated one of the largest settlements recorded on behalf of textbook authors. He has successfully litigated a number of other major author/publisher court actions.

Please note: Recordings may not be copied, shared, or distributed.

Teleconference Handouts:
Teleconference Outline Handout (PDF)

Contact information for Michael Lennie:
Lennie Literary & Authors Attorneys (San Diego, CA)
michael@lennieliterary.com or (858) 272-2248.