reversion of rights letter

Mustafa · 04-18-2012, 07:35 PM

Hey guys, I have been informed by a publisher that I can have the rights back to a couple novels I had published, but that I need to send them a letter (agreement) telling them that I'm taking the rights back. They said they'll sign it and send it back.

Is this something a lawyer must do, or is it pretty simple and somthing I should do myself?

Thanks

Old Hack · 04-18-2012, 09:03 PM

Everything should be spelled out in your contract with the publisher. Read that, then follow the instructions it contains.

Mustafa · 04-18-2012, 09:16 PM

Well, the situation is like this: The rights in my contract would revert in a few years, but the press is selling and in my contract I have the right to reject the assignment of my contract to another press. I don't think the new press will do my books as much justice, for a number of reasons, so I exercised that right. My publisher didn't mind, but he said I could have the rights back, but that I must send them a letter saying that I am rejecting the assignment of my contract and taking the rights back. It seems like a pretty straightforward letter, but I guess what I'm wondering is if a letter not prepared by a lawyer, would be sufficient for future publishers (should I find one willing to take re-print rights).

Old Hack · 04-18-2012, 09:28 PM

In that case, ask the publisher what he needs you to say, or refer to the clause in your contract which allows this and to your discussion with your publisher.

Keep a copy of the letter and when you receive a signed response from your publisher, keep that very safely.

Billtrumpet25 · 04-19-2012, 07:36 AM

Always...follow...the...contract.

You'll be safer in the long run.

04-18-2012, 07:35 PM	#1
Mustafa New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: right behind you Posts: 351	reversion of rights letter Hey guys, I have been informed by a publisher that I can have the rights back to a couple novels I had published, but that I need to send them a letter (agreement) telling them that I'm taking the rights back. They said they'll sign it and send it back. Is this something a lawyer must do, or is it pretty simple and somthing I should do myself? Thanks

04-18-2012, 09:03 PM	#2
Old Hack You'll have to run faster than that SuperModerator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the watchtower Posts: 11,453	Everything should be spelled out in your contract with the publisher. Read that, then follow the instructions it contains. __________________ I blog at How Publishing Really Works and The Self-Publishing Review, and I tweet as @hprw. See you around.

04-18-2012, 09:28 PM	#4
Old Hack You'll have to run faster than that SuperModerator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the watchtower Posts: 11,453	In that case, ask the publisher what he needs you to say, or refer to the clause in your contract which allows this and to your discussion with your publisher. Keep a copy of the letter and when you receive a signed response from your publisher, keep that very safely. __________________ I blog at How Publishing Really Works and The Self-Publishing Review, and I tweet as @hprw. See you around.

04-19-2012, 07:36 AM	#5
Billtrumpet25 It's almost summer!!! :D Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Anthem, AZ Posts: 883	Always...follow...the...contract. You'll be safer in the long run. __________________ My WIP: War of the Wizard (Book 1): undergoing editing The Wizard's Curse (Book 2): 60% complete "The Dark Ages: Life With a Bipolar (WIP-narrative nonfiction of my experiences with my bipolar dad, and how to deal with the bp dis.'s turbulence. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view...45&trk=tab_pro https://twitter.com/BillFitzgibbons

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04-18-2012, 09:16 PM	#3
Mustafa New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: right behind you Posts: 351	Well, the situation is like this: The rights in my contract would revert in a few years, but the press is selling and in my contract I have the right to reject the assignment of my contract to another press. I don't think the new press will do my books as much justice, for a number of reasons, so I exercised that right. My publisher didn't mind, but he said I could have the rights back, but that I must send them a letter saying that I am rejecting the assignment of my contract and taking the rights back. It seems like a pretty straightforward letter, but I guess what I'm wondering is if a letter not prepared by a lawyer, would be sufficient for future publishers (should I find one willing to take re-print rights).