Considering a Book Writing Collaboration
It really is
a business relationship
People who want to write books sometimes think of taking on or
joining with a writing partner to get it done. This is most often called
a collaboration, and it can be a great way to split the work and keep
inspired. Collaborative writing, however, also has some inherent
problems.
Dictionary.com defines collaboration as: To work together,
especially in a joint intellectual effort. That seems a good
beginning for a book collaboration.
Collaboration Is A Business
Arrangement
It's easy in the initial excitement of discovering and creating a
writing collaboration to lose track of the fact that it's also a
business arrangement. The parties to the collaboration are going into
business together to get the book written and marketed. Ideally, a
contract or letter of agreement will cover all that and more.
It helps to remember that
writing a book is a monstrous
project. It's tough for one person to complete a book; if you're not
careful about your agreement, it can be almost impossible for two or
three to actually get the work done in a timely fashion. In other words,
the contract or agreement is critical.
Based on my own experience, it's probably easier to collaborate on
something that isn't emotionally charged. For example, I've collaborated
on several books about software. Collaboration made sense; I had the
ability with words and my two partners understood exactly how the
software worked. In many ways, my job was simply to take their
understanding and make sure readers could understand it. Our emotions
and egos were at a minimum.
On the other hand, I actually started a collaboration on a book that,
for me and my partner, cut to our cores. We didn't get very far, partly
because of the emotion involved.
Definition of the Writing Project
The first thing you and you partner need to get clear on is the
project itself. This should include a
purpose
statement for the book, a working title and a working table
of contents.
You may be surprised at how long this takes. Working out the purpose
statement, title and working table of contents will probably reveal if
the proposed collaboration is really a match or not. Disagreements here
can signal trouble in the future. On the other hand, if you find you
generally see these items the same way, the chances for success are
excellent.
The Contract or Agreement
If you're in agreement on the purpose, working title and working
table of contents, it's time to turn your attention to the actual
agreement or contract. There are all sorts of ways to get this done;
just make sure it includes the following:
- Clear definition of the project
- The completion date for the project
- The division of work - are you each going to take certain
chapters? Or will one of you draft and you pass the chapter back and
forth?
- How disagreements will be settled
- The order of the names on the cover, etc.
- Decision on going for a trade publisher or self-publishing.
- How any income will be split. Is it a straight 50/50 or is there
some reason why one collaborator should get more than another?
- What happens if one of the collaborator dies or is unable to
complete the project.
- What happens if a wheel comes off the project and the
collaboration fails?
- An exit strategy for all parties prior to completion.
- Marketing goals.
- Marketing responsibilities.
- How the copyright, trade marks, electronic rights, etc. will be
held and handled.
- How expenses will be handled.
- Any restriction on competitive works by any collaborator.
- How relationships with any agent will be handled.
- A clause or two that provides for changing the contract during
the collaborative process.
- What happens if an agent, publisher or self-publishing doesn't
materialize.
Spend serious time with each of these items, and don't hesitate to
add more if it seems like a good idea. The contract or agreement is
really your joint intentions and vision for the project. It needs to be
in writing both for legal reasons and because, as the project
progresses, memory fades and the agreement will help you stay on track.
Write well and often!
Publisher Marketing Association (PMA) has a
sample collaborative contract. Use it
as a guide to developing your own agreement.
