Writing Tip #1
For a while now, I've been wanting to start posting the occasional tip about writing-related issues, but kept forgetting. There's no time like the present, tho, & since this one popped into my head, I thought I'd jot it down.I can't promise I'll remember to post this type of thing on a regular basis, but I will try. And if you have any questions that are related to the craft or business of writing that you think I might be able to help you out with, feel free to post them in the comment sections...anywhere you like, even if it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with that day's post. I'll find them. :-) And I'll do my best to answer them.
Today's tip has to do with contracts. Since I just got one back yesterday, I thought I would share a little trick that I use when signing new agreements. It's not a big deal, but it provides huge peace of mind for the future.
Different publishing houses use different contract formats. At Dorchester, my agent & I were both required to initial clauses on almost every page, as well as date & sign the end of the document. Harlequin doesn't require initialing on any pages (unless there's a last minute change to the contract, usually made on my end rather than theirs) & my agent doesn't need to sign.
But this contract is also held together by nothing more than a staple, & we all know how easy it is to remove & replace those. In fact, I've had it done on contracts when clauses have been incorrect & it was easier to replace the page than make changes by hand. And because I only have to sign one of the last pages of these contracts, I take it upon myself to initial the back of every page. Every page of every copy, since I'm supplied with three--one for myself, one for my agent, & one for Harlequin. That way, should anything happen down the road, I would be able to tell if pages...pages I may not have read or agreed to...had been replaced.
I'll go on record right now saying I don't expect anything like that to ever happen, but I still like to cover my bases & know that every single page of a contract is one that I've read & initialed.
FWIW. :-)
