EVOLUTION Vol.2

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Without using Oprah, write a fictional scene about a writer who receives something innumerable authors might kill for—but, for reasons of his own, rejects it.

*

The writer sat at their desk, holding the thick contract in their hands. They had been overjoyed when OctoCorp Publishing House had offered them an international book deal, but the more they read the contract, the more uneasy they felt.

As they flipped through the pages, they couldn't help but notice the numerous clauses and legal jargon that seemed to favour OctoCorp more than the writer. They also noticed a clause that stated OctoCorp would own the rights to the book, essentially taking it away from the writer.

Feeling a knot form in their stomach, the writer picked up the phone and dialled the number for OctoCorp's legal department.

"Hello, this is OctoCorp Legal. How may I assist you?" a voice on the other end of the line asked.

"Yes, hi. I received the contract for my book deal, and I have a few questions about the rights to my book," the writer said.

"Of course, let me pull up your file. Which clause specifically are you referring to?" the legal representative asked.

"The one that says OctoCorp will own the rights to my book," the writer said.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before the legal representative spoke. "Yes, that clause is standard in all of our contracts. It ensures that OctoCorp has control over the book and its future adaptations."

The writer's heart sank. They had poured their heart and soul into this book, and now it seemed that OctoCorp would be the one to profit off of it.

"I need to think about this," the writer said, their voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course. Please take your time to review the contract and let us know if you have any further questions or concerns," the legal representative said before hanging up.

The writer sat in silence for a few moments, staring at the contract in their hands. They knew they needed to make a decision, but they also knew they couldn't give up the rights to their book so easily. It was time to consider their options and maybe even seek legal counsel.

Taking a deep breath, the writer set the contract aside and pulled up their computer. They began to research the standard practices in the publishing industry and found that while it was common for publishing houses to retain some rights, it was not typical for them to have complete ownership.

Feeling emboldened, the writer decided to reach out to a lawyer who specialized in publishing contracts. After a brief consultation, the lawyer assured the writer that there were ways to negotiate with OctoCorp and potentially keep some of the rights to their book.

The writer mustered up the courage to contact OctoCorp's legal department again, this time armed with the knowledge and advice from the lawyer. They explained their concerns and asked if there was any room for negotiation.

To their surprise, the legal representative was open to hearing the writer's concerns and agreed to revise the contract. After a series of discussions, the writer was able to negotiate a new agreement that allowed them to retain some of the rights to their book while still maintaining a partnership with OctoCorp.

Feeling relieved and excited, the writer signed the new contract and sent it back to OctoCorp. They knew that it was a risk to negotiate with such a large publishing house, but it was a risk worth taking to protect their hard work and creativity.

Several months later, the writer's book was published and became an instant success, garnering critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. The writer knew that they had made the right decision to fight for their rights and was grateful for the support and guidance of their lawyer.

As they sat down to write their next book, the writer felt empowered and emboldened, knowing that they could stand up for themselves and their work in the competitive and sometimes cutthroat world of publishing.

© 13 May 2023