I spoke with an individual a few weeks ago who shared their excitement to finally be publishing their first book… but they were having doubts about the hybrid publisher they had selected to do the work. More than doubts, they were not happy with the experience thus far and wanted to understand their options for moving forward. My questions to them were:

“Did you sign a contract?”

“What’s in the contract?”

They were not the first person in the twenty years I’ve been in this industry to share a similar story of doubt, or downright horror. Of someone they’ve entrusted to publish their book, their story, their baby, now grifting them and turning what should have been an exciting time into one of worry and regret.

Having spent my first career as an administrative assistant, I learned the importance of contracts. They spell out the scope of the project, what you’re promising to do, and more importantly, what the other party is promising to provide.

It is my prayer that I am simply stating the obvious, but ALWAYS get a contract when it comes to hiring services like this. You are paying for it, you are entitled to it. Ensure the expectations are spelled out and add your signature only when you are comfortable with it. If need be, get legal counsel. Because if things ‘go south’ at some point and your expectations are not being met, then you have the contract to fall back on.

Regardless of the route of publishing you take, make sure to protect yourself and your work by asking for a contract.