Literary Sales Representative Contract
Once a book has been published, the next logical step is for it to be sold and promoted. This work is typically done by literary sales representatives who work on behalf of major book publishing companies around the world.
As with all things in this industry, these professionals are under contract with a publisher and are typically held to very tight and strict requirements. The contracts lay out the basics of course: rate of pay, percentage of commission, and any other benefits a representative will receive.
But, typically, these contracts also place high demands on literary sales representatives that demand high sales numbers, constant client work, and demanding hours. The contracts are designed, once again, to largely benefit the publisher by expecting the greatest amount of work with the modest modest amount of pay. These contracts may also contain non-disclosure agreements or non-compete agreements depending on the employee's rank and role within the organization.
Literary sales representatives need an attorney who can drive a hard bargain and review any contract for their employment. It's important to remember that contracts such as these come with expensive termination clauses that can cost a sales representative significantly -- not only in a monetary way, but within industry circles themselves.
Author's Lecture Contract
A successful book will almost certainly be accompanied by a book tour -- and that means the author will be expected to appear on the lecture circuit. They'll likely appear at universities, libraries, conventions, and other special events where readers - or likely readers - of their books will be gathering. These appearances, however, are tightly controlled and thoroughly organized by the author's publishing company and every last detail will be covered in an author's lecture contract.
These documents specify a required number of engagements, the rate an author will be paid for appearing at each of them, and the commission rate charged by the publisher. They will mandate any post-lecture activities like book signings or question-and-answer sessions with attendees interested in the work.
And they will include all kinds of terms that prevent the lecturer from speaking ill of the publisher, the book, or the process they endured when writing it. It's essentially a promotional material for the publisher and they're not going to risk their reputation without contractual repercussions.