The Business Rusch: Advocates, Addendums, and Sneaks, oh my! | Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
This a must-read for writers who want to be published. It’s alarming, it’s scary, it’s disheartening. But, cynic that I am, it’s not surprising.
You know what gets me the most? That I have to work my ass off to get my writing to a place where an agent/publisher is interested enough to be willing to rip me off.
Okay, I don’t really believe that. And I don’t think that’s what Ms. Rusch is trying to say. But my own brief experience with, for example, IP lawyers, publishers, and contracts, has left me even more cynical, and alert for scams or dishonesty.
I still want to be published by a real publishing house. I still want an agent (I think). But whatever I end up doing, I am damn well going to go through every contract with a ruler, highlighter, and red pen. I will do this myself, and make sure I understand every line, whether the contract is with a publisher, agent, or someone in between.
Contracts are scary things, because they are binding. Writers need to understand them, and also need to understand that when it comes to someone being on your side, only you can stand in first place.
Marlene Dotterer 