River River Books LLC Model Contract
This is a contract between River River Books LLC and [name] (hereafter referred to as “the author”) for the poetry collection titled [insert title] (hereafter referred to as “the book”).
Rights
The author grants River River Books LLC exclusive publication rights for the book.
The author grants River River Books LLC the right to use their name and likeness for marketing purposes.
The author retains the right to publish individual poems from the book in anthologies or journals; any compensation for publication of these individual poems belongs to the author. The author retains audio rights.
Author Compensation
River River Books LLC shall provide author with an advance against future royalties in the amount of $200. This payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of this contract.
Upon publication, River River Books LLC shall provide author with 20 author copies of the book.
The author may purchase an initial order of author copies at cost plus shipping. Additional copies will be available for purchase at cost+$2 and shipping.
River River Books LLC shall provide author with royalties at a rate of 10 percent of net sales on physical books sold by the press once the book has sold 250 copies. (See Appendix B: Financial Transparency Statement.) There are no royalties on digital copies.
River River Books will provide the author with a annual statement detailing the number of copies sold and will make annual royalty payments to the author.
Author Warranties
The author warrants that the book governed by this contract is their sole intellectual property, that no other similar agreements governing the book exist, and that the book is not in the public domain.
The author warrants that the author is the sole creator of the book, and the book does not infringe on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual rights of any third parties.
The author agrees to refrain from entering into agreements with third parties that conflict with the terms of this contract.
The author guarantees that nothing in the book is defamatory and that the book does not encroach on the privacy of any third party.
Timeline
The author agrees to provide River River Books LLC with a complete copy of the book within 30 days of the date on this contract.
River River Books agrees to publish this book by [insert publication date].
Editorial, Design, and Promotion Matters
River River Books LLC and the author agree to the editorial process described in Appendix A.
Public Representation
In signing this contract, River River Books LLC and the author enter into a relationship in which each acts, in limited capacity, as the other’s representative: the author becomes a representative for River River Books LLC in the literary community, and River River Books professionally represents and labors to promote the book on behalf of the author.
The author agrees, by signing this contract, to support River River Books LLC’s values as stated on its website as well as its general commitment to diversity, inclusivity, cultural interchange, and respect for all individuals. If the author behaves or speaks publicly — or is publicly revealed to have behaved or spoken, even in private — in ways that contradict these expressed values, River River Books reserves the right to terminate this contract and to immediately cease representation of both the author and the book.
Author’s Right to Cancel
Should the author deem that River River Books LLC has failed or is failing to uphold the terms of this contract, author shall notify River River Books LLC in writing, and grant River River Books LLC a minimum of 90 days to correct such shortcomings. If River River Books LLC fails to adequately address the issues presented by the author, the author shall have the right to cancel this contract.
Publisher’s Right to Cancel
Similarly, River River Books LLC shall have the right to cancel this book publishing contract should they deem that author has failed to uphold its terms, after granting author a period of at least 90 days to correct such issues.
Should either party cancel this book publishing contract, all rights granted to River River Books LLC revert to the author.
General Terms
Preorders will be offered exclusively through direct press sales on our website (riverriverbooks.org/bookstore). This book publishing contract represents the entire agreement between the author and River River Books LLC.
This contract may not be altered, amended, or otherwise modified except through written form requiring signature by both parties.
River River Books will register the book with the U.S. Copyright Office, with the copyright in the author’s name, within 90 days of publication.
By mutual agreement, River River Books LLC and the author shall be granted an extension on any time-sensitive duties related to this contract should circumstances beyond their control interfere with their ability to execute their contractual obligations.
This book publishing contract shall be considered legally binding upon both parties, heirs, partners, associates, subsidiaries, successors, executors, and licensees.
This contract shall be governed by the laws of North Carolina.
Signatures
__________________________________ __________Author date
__________________________________ __________Han VanderHart, River River Books LLC date
__________________________________ __________Amorak Huey, River River Books LLC date APPENDIX AOur Editorial, Design, and Production Process
• You will provide a complete version of the manuscript to River River Books editors within 30 days of acceptance of the contract. Though of course you can edit the manuscript during these 30 days, including adding and subtracting poems, it should still be substantively and recognizably the manuscript we accepted. RRB editors will be available for consultation during this stage of the process. • RRB editors will provide you with detailed editorial feedback within 60 days of receipt of the manuscript. This will include written feedback as well as conversations (likely via Zoom) with the editors. • The editorial process will be collaborative, and you will have final approval on editorial decisions. • RRB editors or a contracted designer will design the cover and interior pages in consultation with you, beginning by asking for your suggestions and preferences. You have the right to approve final design choices. River River Books agrees to spend up to $100 on a cover image.• Cover blurbs will be secured in collaboration with River River Books. RRB editors are happy to contact potential blurbers on your behalf.• RRB editors will write backmatter and jacket copy. Again, you have the right to approve the final text.• After the developmental and line editing is complete, RRB editors or a contracted copyeditor will give the manuscript a thorough review. Once again, you will have the right to approve any possible changes at this stage. • RRB will also provide final page proofs before publication. You agree to review and approve these proofs by an agreed-upon deadline.
Our Publicity and Marketing Process
We pledge to …
• formulate a publicity plan in collaboration with you.• distribute your book (via Bookmobile/Itasca Books, which includes Amazon and Bookshop.org)• provide and mail 5 media/review print copies, as well as making digital copies available to reviewers.• create and distribute a press kit in advance of the book’s publication. • assist you in securing interviews, book reviews, and podcast appearances.• host and promote a virtual launch party for the book. • work with and support you in securing readings both online and in person.• provide up to 10 copies and up to $100 in entry fees to submit the book to post-publication prizes in coordination with you.• actively promote you and your book on social media.
In return, we ask that you agree to collaborate with us in publicizing the book, including providing an email list we can use for promoting the book.
APPENDIX B
Financial Transparency Statement
River River Books pledges to be transparent with our authors on the financial details related to their book. You will know what it costs to print and ship your book, what we spend to support and market the book, as how many copies we’ve sold. Once the book has sold 250 copies, we pay royalties at the rate of 10 percent of net sales on copies we sell. Our profits will be reinvested into the press to pay for printing, marketing, and distribution of your book and future books from RRB.
Rights
The author grants River River Books LLC exclusive publication rights for the book.
The author grants River River Books LLC the right to use their name and likeness for marketing purposes.
The author retains the right to publish individual poems from the book in anthologies or journals; any compensation for publication of these individual poems belongs to the author. The author retains audio rights.
Author Compensation
River River Books LLC shall provide author with an advance against future royalties in the amount of $200. This payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of this contract.
Upon publication, River River Books LLC shall provide author with 20 author copies of the book.
The author may purchase an initial order of author copies at cost plus shipping. Additional copies will be available for purchase at cost+$2 and shipping.
River River Books LLC shall provide author with royalties at a rate of 10 percent of net sales on physical books sold by the press once the book has sold 250 copies. (See Appendix B: Financial Transparency Statement.) There are no royalties on digital copies.
River River Books will provide the author with a annual statement detailing the number of copies sold and will make annual royalty payments to the author.
Author Warranties
The author warrants that the book governed by this contract is their sole intellectual property, that no other similar agreements governing the book exist, and that the book is not in the public domain.
The author warrants that the author is the sole creator of the book, and the book does not infringe on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual rights of any third parties.
The author agrees to refrain from entering into agreements with third parties that conflict with the terms of this contract.
The author guarantees that nothing in the book is defamatory and that the book does not encroach on the privacy of any third party.
Timeline
The author agrees to provide River River Books LLC with a complete copy of the book within 30 days of the date on this contract.
River River Books agrees to publish this book by [insert publication date].
Editorial, Design, and Promotion Matters
River River Books LLC and the author agree to the editorial process described in Appendix A.
Public Representation
In signing this contract, River River Books LLC and the author enter into a relationship in which each acts, in limited capacity, as the other’s representative: the author becomes a representative for River River Books LLC in the literary community, and River River Books professionally represents and labors to promote the book on behalf of the author.
The author agrees, by signing this contract, to support River River Books LLC’s values as stated on its website as well as its general commitment to diversity, inclusivity, cultural interchange, and respect for all individuals. If the author behaves or speaks publicly — or is publicly revealed to have behaved or spoken, even in private — in ways that contradict these expressed values, River River Books reserves the right to terminate this contract and to immediately cease representation of both the author and the book.
Author’s Right to Cancel
Should the author deem that River River Books LLC has failed or is failing to uphold the terms of this contract, author shall notify River River Books LLC in writing, and grant River River Books LLC a minimum of 90 days to correct such shortcomings. If River River Books LLC fails to adequately address the issues presented by the author, the author shall have the right to cancel this contract.
Publisher’s Right to Cancel
Similarly, River River Books LLC shall have the right to cancel this book publishing contract should they deem that author has failed to uphold its terms, after granting author a period of at least 90 days to correct such issues.
Should either party cancel this book publishing contract, all rights granted to River River Books LLC revert to the author.
General Terms
Preorders will be offered exclusively through direct press sales on our website (riverriverbooks.org/bookstore). This book publishing contract represents the entire agreement between the author and River River Books LLC.
This contract may not be altered, amended, or otherwise modified except through written form requiring signature by both parties.
River River Books will register the book with the U.S. Copyright Office, with the copyright in the author’s name, within 90 days of publication.
By mutual agreement, River River Books LLC and the author shall be granted an extension on any time-sensitive duties related to this contract should circumstances beyond their control interfere with their ability to execute their contractual obligations.
This book publishing contract shall be considered legally binding upon both parties, heirs, partners, associates, subsidiaries, successors, executors, and licensees.
This contract shall be governed by the laws of North Carolina.
Signatures
__________________________________ __________Author date
__________________________________ __________Han VanderHart, River River Books LLC date
__________________________________ __________Amorak Huey, River River Books LLC date APPENDIX AOur Editorial, Design, and Production Process
• You will provide a complete version of the manuscript to River River Books editors within 30 days of acceptance of the contract. Though of course you can edit the manuscript during these 30 days, including adding and subtracting poems, it should still be substantively and recognizably the manuscript we accepted. RRB editors will be available for consultation during this stage of the process. • RRB editors will provide you with detailed editorial feedback within 60 days of receipt of the manuscript. This will include written feedback as well as conversations (likely via Zoom) with the editors. • The editorial process will be collaborative, and you will have final approval on editorial decisions. • RRB editors or a contracted designer will design the cover and interior pages in consultation with you, beginning by asking for your suggestions and preferences. You have the right to approve final design choices. River River Books agrees to spend up to $100 on a cover image.• Cover blurbs will be secured in collaboration with River River Books. RRB editors are happy to contact potential blurbers on your behalf.• RRB editors will write backmatter and jacket copy. Again, you have the right to approve the final text.• After the developmental and line editing is complete, RRB editors or a contracted copyeditor will give the manuscript a thorough review. Once again, you will have the right to approve any possible changes at this stage. • RRB will also provide final page proofs before publication. You agree to review and approve these proofs by an agreed-upon deadline.
Our Publicity and Marketing Process
We pledge to …
• formulate a publicity plan in collaboration with you.• distribute your book (via Bookmobile/Itasca Books, which includes Amazon and Bookshop.org)• provide and mail 5 media/review print copies, as well as making digital copies available to reviewers.• create and distribute a press kit in advance of the book’s publication. • assist you in securing interviews, book reviews, and podcast appearances.• host and promote a virtual launch party for the book. • work with and support you in securing readings both online and in person.• provide up to 10 copies and up to $100 in entry fees to submit the book to post-publication prizes in coordination with you.• actively promote you and your book on social media.
In return, we ask that you agree to collaborate with us in publicizing the book, including providing an email list we can use for promoting the book.
APPENDIX B
Financial Transparency Statement
River River Books pledges to be transparent with our authors on the financial details related to their book. You will know what it costs to print and ship your book, what we spend to support and market the book, as how many copies we’ve sold. Once the book has sold 250 copies, we pay royalties at the rate of 10 percent of net sales on copies we sell. Our profits will be reinvested into the press to pay for printing, marketing, and distribution of your book and future books from RRB.