TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
( ... eeech, gag, gasp ... thud ... ... ... pi-Tooo-eee ... excuse me, I
just need to get back up to my chair... whew, that's better.)
Did I say "get a lawyer"? 'Yep, sure did. See it right up there. NEVER
thought I'd say that.
This, however, is one time when someone should hire a lawyer.
If you have TWO publishers interested in you & your product, that is A Very
Good Thing ! A good contract lawyer would have the experience, wisdom,
know-how and the right mindset (say n'more, say n'more, eh?) necessary to
go to bat for you in order to get you your best deal.
Agree to and sign nothing. Talk to the lawyer. Pay him to review the
agreements.
1) Which publisher has the better deal ?
2) Can you (or the lawyer) get one publisher to include the best parts of
what the other publisher is offering in an agreement?
3) Perhaps the lawyer can serve as your "mouthpiece" (now THAT is a
phrase!) and negotiate a better deal than either publisher was willing to
give you in the first place.
From my own experience, I had one publisher interested, therefore no
leveraging option, so I took the deal I was offered. If you have
leveraging power, use it!
Larry
PS, Some Of My Best Friends Are ... Lawyers. I certainly don't hold that
against them.
PPS, If flame you must, please don't waste the bandwidth of this
worthwhile group, but instead write to me directly. I promise to file any
flames where they will do both of us the most good.
