Even though I’ve been writing on and off for more than 50 years, it wasn’t until 2010 that I decided to seriously begin a writing career. I had the dream to become a traditionally published author and pursued that goal with great passion. I think every wishful author waits for that one special word that has the power to change their life…
CONTRACT.
Whether it’s a contract with an agent or a publisher, writers know when a contract finally arrives, it takes them one step closer to their publishing goal.
I’ve been working on the new Story Catcher Publishing contracts…upgrading them to include the expansion we will be offering the world this coming Fall. We have three new contracts in place:
- Design Team Contract…We now have a three-year agreement with my design team. Everyone knows what is expected and their costs have been taken into account because while my goal is to help as many indie writers as possible, the reality is that there are publishing costs involved with any new book release. My design team feels confident that we will be able to handle any number of production projects for chapter books and novels that may come along once we open to submissions this Fall.
- Illustrator Contract…We also have a three-year agreement with my lead illustrator. We’ve had long chats about the future growth of Story Catcher Publishing, and we will be able to handle six to eight picture books per year once we open to submissions this Fall.
- Publishing Packages Contract…I’ve spent a long time pouring over this contract to make sure the rights of all involved are protected and there is no confusion as to how Story Catcher Publishing will be helping writers on their publishing adventures. There are a few things that will be offered differently than by anyone else in the publishing industry. Like this…
- If during any time during the term of this Agreement, the Author should receive an offer of agent representation or offer to publish the Work through a different third party not directly affiliated with the Publisher, the Publisher shall, at its sole discretion, provide a written revision of rights covering the Work listed in this Agreement to the Author if said offer meets one of the following stipulations:
- The offer of agent representation comes from an agent affiliated with a major literary agency with an office based in the United States. Proof of a current, valid signed contract by the Author and the agent (covering Work previously published by Story Catcher Publishing) must be provided to the Publisher in order for the request for a written revision of rights to be considered.
- The offer of publication from a third party comes from a publisher with a medium to large publishing house with an office based in the United States. Proof of a current, valid signed contract by the author and publisher (covering Work previously published by Story Catcher Publishing) must be provided to the Publisher in order for the request for a written revision of rights to be considered.
Contracts can be very tricky to read which is why I will encourage any writer we work with to have our contracts looked over very carefully or at least ask me plenty of questions before signing anything. And in case you may not fully understand what the above paragraphs says, it means any author signing with Story Catcher Publishing who still pursues a traditional publication path will be helped by us to try to better their chances to be signed by an agent from a major literary agency or medium to larger publishing house. AND we will release them from OUR contract with proof that they’ve achieved that goal.
What other publishing house has ever offered something like this before? And what other publishing house who offers publishing packages will offer those services for one-fifth the cost or even much less than the industry average?
None that I know of.
And why would Story Catcher Publishing do something like that? To turn its back on future profits for the company?
Because THAT is not what our company expansion is for! Story Catcher Publishing is expanding to help aspiring authors to further their writing careers as a way of “paying it forward” or giving back to the KidLit community for all the love and support it has shown me over the years. It has been a five-year dream of mine to do this, and it is finally coming true!
I’m trying to be as transparent as possible about what is coming this Fall, so polish up those picture book, chapter book, and young adult novel manuscripts to get ready for a new way to reach your own dreams of sharing your stories with the world!
And check back next week for more expansion news from Story Catcher Publishing…
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Hybrid published author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna offers occasional BOOK NOOK REVIEWS of great children’s books and offers WRITERLY WISDOM to new and established writers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Alliance of Independent Authors, and Children’s Book Insider. Donna loves dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.
Want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
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Mail: Donna L Martin
c/o Story Catcher Publishing
P O Box 27788
Knoxville, Tn 37927
