TRANSPARENCY - RIGHTS

Strikes me there is little point in blogging without anything to say. What might people find useful? What do I find useful? Shared experience. Simple really.

Now, there is always the possibility of pissing off the folk in the industry who pay our wages so discretion is always recommended.. so here's the nub... I will write this blog, honestly, openly, about getting work made or published and written as openly as I can, whilst also respecting where justifiable, other peoples concerns... (Please ask me questions... I will answer.. honestly.. don't be offended!)

SO... rights. I'm, currently involved in a deal negotiation for two picture books with a major, and very good, publisher. Let me be clear. I like them, I like the people I'm talking to and the prospect of being published by them - very very exciting... BUT... They have sent a standard contract through. BEWARE!!!!! Standard means catch all... in other words... we'll give you X (the up front for a book) BUT we'll take (and therefore control) all rights... digital, film, TV, stage, Merchandising etc...

Now... my Mum, Doreen, was amazing because she could always see both sides. Often I realise I have inherited this from her. Blessing and curse - but more often a blessing - Thanks Dof.

The author/illustrator is only selling the book rights. The advance is based on book rights. Wrapping in other rights into that deal is sneaky and should not be agreed...BUT...

If I were a publisher and was risking my money to take a concept, character or format to the market I might like to benefit from other exploitation in more ways than simple uplift. After all, the interest is there because of the audience created by the book.

I think there is a healthy middle ground here that, in this current age of many forms of exploitation, benefits everyone. Give the publishers a kick back on other rights (ie a % of purchase prices etc) and the opportunity to source deals (ie bring film, merch deals to the table) That way everyone benefits from the continued exploitation of a great idea... it isn't rocket science.

Authors, Artists... kick back, ask, hold on... but be reasonable. Publishers... don't ask for it all because that leaves a bad taste. Propose a fair deal. Authors/Artists should accept a fair deal. Then we're all happy.

Most of all lets stop making the lawyers rich. Lets stop wasting time. Propose fair deals straight away. No-one is stupid... save us the time of arguing... I will create a template if people feel it will be useful...

WRITING IN A VACUUM

Barely got this blog going and already thinking that asking for followers feels a little desperate... but that will no doubt come. Excuse any typos here... keyboard on its last legs...

Latest Drama this week is the demise of the children's department at PFD. Seems like it was as much a shock to the agents as it was to their clients. Caroline Michel's e-mail telling everyone was nothing short of a disgrace. Of course, a decision made on a commercial basis as this was means they still want to hold on to whatever potential income they can get - so any ongoing work they would like to carry on with - even to the point of MSS that have just gone out. But without our MSS what is there to encourage a new agent to come on board?

Insecurities are rife and a lot of folk seem to be weighing up the options. I know that this is not the fault of the individual agents concerned but as ever this seems to continually prove my belief that, notwithstanding the fact that there are great agents and management... never rely on anyone else to create and manage your career for you. Without 'shaking the tree' (see last blog) my partnership with Holly Clifton-Brown would never have happened, and had I relied on my agent some very good books would have gone to waste.

Knowing those books are going has also cleared my desk metaphorically, allowing me to move to other ideas.. and therein lies the key surely... if you're a writer, write.

Still weighing up the options for 'The Angel Room' - my 90K word book for 9+... that's what PFD were sending out. Three options... leave with PFD, Find a new Agent... Take it out myself...

TBA.