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Book Publishing Agreement

A completed author-publisher deal covering manuscript delivery, exclusive print and ebook rights, advance, royalties, warranties, marketing and reversion.

Jurisdiction: England and Wales - completed fictional worked example

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Important: This sample provides general legal information only and is not legal advice. Check the law, prescribed forms and signing requirements that apply to your exact jurisdiction and circumstances before use.

# BOOK PUBLISHING AGREEMENT

Date: 22 July 2029

Parties: Merebrook Press Limited and Eleanor Price

## 1. Parties and purpose

Merebrook Press Limited (Company No. 07114402), 31 Station Road, London N1 9QH (Publisher), contracts with Eleanor Price of 8 Larch Grove, Bath BA1 6RT (Author) for her completed non-fiction book, The Salt Roads of Somerset, of approximately 72,000 words.

## 2. Scope, price and subject

The Author grants the Publisher an exclusive licence for print, ebook and audiobook editions in the United Kingdom and Ireland for seven years from first publication. Translation, film, merchandising and other subsidiary rights remain with the Author unless separately agreed; the Publisher may use extracts for publicity.

## 3. Operating duties

The Publisher will pay a £9,000 advance in three equal instalments: signature, accepted manuscript and publication. Royalties are 10% of Net Receipts on hardback, 8% on paperback, 25% on net ebook receipts and 15% on audiobook receipts. Statements and any earned royalties are due within 60 days of 30 June and 31 December.

## 4. Rights, records and compliance

The Author delivers the final manuscript and permissions log by 30 September 2029, responds to copy-edit queries and approves factual corrections within seven days. The Publisher controls editorial, cover, price, format and distribution decisions after consulting the Author in good faith, and will use reasonable efforts to publish by October 2030.

## 5. Term, ending and remedies

The Author warrants that the work is original, does not knowingly infringe copyright or defame any person, and identifies all third-party material. The Publisher will obtain ISBNs, arrange production and account accurately; it may deduct only agreed returns, discounts, VAT and documented payment fees from Net Receipts.

## 6. Liability and reservations

If the Publisher does not publish within 24 months after accepted manuscript, ceases meaningful exploitation for 12 consecutive months, or becomes insolvent, the relevant rights revert on written notice after a 30-day cure period. Termination does not remove accrued accounting duties or licences already validly granted to retailers.

## 7. Governing law and signatures

This agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales and its courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Amelia Hart, Publishing Director, signs for Merebrook and Eleanor signs for herself on 22 July 2029. The Author is encouraged to obtain independent advice before granting exclusive rights.

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