TheScribe
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Rights on Collaborative Projects
Now, this isn't going to be the question you think. There's a twist which has me wondering where I stand and I think it's best to approach these things sooner rather than later.
Sherry, as you probably know I've been writing a fantasy novel with someone in the email group. We started the partnership about three years ago and have written 20 chapters.
To keep it short and simple, last night I received an email from Ali saying he no longer plans to write and then he went on to say that the manuscritp was mine with his blessings. He urged me to finish it and get it published.
I plan to finish the first draft and then contact him to see if his situation is different and if he's changed his mind.
However, if he tells me a second time to go ahead and finish it without him (or if I get no reply at all - which is a possibility), I want to know where I stand.
I have the email telling me he wants nothing to do with the manuscript, is that enough? Could there be a comeback later?
And, if I were to include his name, would that cause more problems than I could imagine?
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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4/20/2005, 9:08 pm
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SFGirl
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
Hmmm... I'll have to do some checking on this, but to give you a quick answer, I think that it might take more than an email for him to relinquish all his rights.
If you're comfortable putting more work into the first draft knowing that he still might come back to the project, I don't see any reason why you couldn't keep working on it. If you ask him again later and he still isn't interested, I think you should have a written statement to that effect, signed by him.
If you go on to publish it yourself, you could acknowledge his help as part of the front matter, but you probably would need his consent to publish it under both names, and if he's just not interested then yes, I think it could lead to problems.
I'll try to find something concrete but those are my top-of-the-head thoughts.
Sherry
---
Reading: Low Port ed. by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Rewriting: short story: The Price of Roses
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4/21/2005, 11:05 pm
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TheScribe
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
Thank you, Sherry.
He'd probably be fine with whatever I do, but imagine if the novel became a huge hit, ended up with a movie being made and the money poured in. I think he'd have regrets then, and might think about getting his share.
I know this is looking way ahead, but I'm a person who likes to cross all her t's, if you know what I mean.
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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4/21/2005, 11:30 pm
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Firlefanz
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
Scribes, I think you are doing the right thing. It's good to think that far ahead. People have had fights over smaller things.
It might be a problem to get anything out of him in writing, but that's a river to be crossed after finishing the manuscript. And as you are just as comfortable to share the "fame" with him, I don't think you have anything to worry about right now. Even so, it's good to plan ahead and know the right proceedure.
Last edited by Firlefanz, 4/22/2005, 2:34 am
--- - Firlefanz
Reading: "Verkaufende auf Risa" by Gundhild Dreher
Writing: "Winter Song" - short story
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4/22/2005, 2:34 am
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TheScribe
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
I have a niggling feeling that I won't be able to contact him, and that's where my problem will begin I believe.
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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4/22/2005, 6:38 am
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SFGirl
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
Scribe, you'd better print out that email and file it away carefully in case it's all you end up with.
The kind of scenario you're worrying about is definitely a possibility, and there's also the other side of the coin--what if you put his name on it with yours even if he wasn't interested, and then ran into all kinds of trouble because you needed his signature on contracts etc. and couldn't contact him. Publishers like to have all their i's dotted and t's crossed, too.
You may end up having to decide how far you want to go with the work on it, knowing that you may have to share some of the profit down the road. Keep a record of all your attempts to contact him, successful or not, in case you want to refer to them later.
On the other hand, sometimes things happen that seem like the end of the world at the time, but we do get past them. Ali may bounce back from this setback and return to the project later.
I'll check some legal references later today and see if I can find anything else. I suspect that the Internet is bringing about a whole new situation where collaborators could conceivably lose track of each other and have no way to get in touch. It'll be a new ballgame.
Sherry
---
Reading: Low Port ed. by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Rewriting: short story: The Price of Roses
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4/22/2005, 7:35 am
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TheScribe
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Re: Rights on Collaborative Projects
That was my fear, Sherry.
I will complete the first draft and try to contact him, like I said, and then I'll make a decision.
Do I take a risk or do I set a perfectly good manuscript to one side? That's going to be a difficult decision.
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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4/23/2005, 8:01 pm
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