The Society of Authors (SoA) and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) have launched a timely investigation into a range of publishing practices - known as 'contributory', 'subsidy', 'partnership', 'hybrid' or 'vanity' publishing - where an author pays a publisher to publish their book (rather than the author receiving an advance against royalties from the publisher).
Whilst some of these arrangements can benefit both the publisher and the author, others have led to complaints to the SoA and WGGB over unfair contract terms. Under some of these contracts, the publisher guarantees very little in terms of production, publication or marketing in exchange for a large upfront payment and a wide grant of rights from the author. Furthermore, some contracts leave authors with few options when things go wrong, making it difficult for them to get their money and their rights back from the publisher.
Anyone considering these forms of publishing should undertake due diligence on the publisher and their track record - the Alliance of Independent Authors has a range of information on its website - and to take advice on the contract offered. Both the SoA and WGGB offer contract vetting services to their members.
If you have had either a positive or negative experience with these forms of publishing, you can contribute to the SoA and WGGB survey here until 25 April 2021.
Issues reported range from aggressive marketing tactics and emotionally manipulative sales approaches to opaque contracts and processes, and services that fall short of expectations. Unions say the fees charged are typically four or five figures, often with the authors surrendering a wide range of rights and control over their work.
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