Home Columns

To Sign or Not to Sign
by Katie Gustafsson

The Ailment: Recently I made my first sale, a short article for which I was offered $20, and I have just received the contract which says that the article may be used anywhere within the publishers network. Although I knew that this on-line site required all rights, except copyright, when I submitted the article, I am not happy that the article could be published in print and I will not receive any additional income from it. Is there anything I can do?

The Cure: "Yes! First of all, put down the pen. NEVER sign a contract you are less than happy with unless you can live with the absolute worst-case scenario that you can dream up.

New writers often believe that in submitting their article for publication, they are entering into a binding contract. This is not the case unless the writer's guidelines actually state that. It is the signed contract that is legally binding. Until you sign that document, the article remains yours and you can, if you desire, withdraw it from the publication.

Before you do that however, there is something else you can try. Negotiation. Yes, that's right, you don't have to be a best-seller writer or Pulitzer Prize winner, in order to negotiate with editors. In your situation, you have three options. You can:

• withdraw the article completely without entering into discussions with the editor;

• negotiate better payment for your article where you feel you are happy for them to publish it wherever; or

• negotiate the rights you are prepared to sell with the article.

Copyright © 2001 Katie Gustafsson

Kick start your imagination, ignite your creativity, and begin your journey towards becoming an outstanding writer. Grab a copy of WEEKLY WRITES: 52 Weeks of Writing Bliss! from Amazon.com and receive 2 free e-books to encourage and nurture the writer in you. You'll also receive Write Memories, a journaling workbook available for free only to WEEKLY WRITES book owners. And finally, as a WEEKLY WRITES book owner, you'll have free access to e-mail courses such as JOYFUL WRITES: Celebrate Your Life through Writing For excerpts, reviews and what you need to do to receive the 2 free e-books, Write Memories and sign up for free e-mail courses, just head on to the Weekly Writes Book Official Site. (Clicking on the link will open a new window.)