Free Publishing Agreement Template: Rights, Royalties, Term & Deliverables

Author: [Full Name]

Address: [Author's Address]

Email: [Email Address]

Publisher: [Company Name]

Address: [Publisher's Address]

Email: [Email Address]

1. Work Description

The Author agrees to deliver to the Publisher the following original work (the "Work"):

• Title: [Working Title]
• Genre: [e.g., Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry]
• Estimated Word Count: [X words]
• Format(s): ☐ Print ☐ Digital ☐ Audiobook ☐ Other: __________

2. Grant of Rights

The Author hereby grants the Publisher the following rights to the Work:

☑ Exclusive / ☐ Non-exclusive

☑ Worldwide / ☐ Territory-limited: [Specify countries]

Rights granted include:

• Reproduction and distribution
• Sale and licensing in all agreed formats
• Translation and adaptation rights: ☐ No
• Marketing and promotional use of the Author's name and likeness

3. Manuscript Delivery

The Author agrees to deliver the complete, edited manuscript by [Date].

☐ Publisher may request revisions

☐ Editor will be assigned by Publisher

4. Copyright Ownership

Copyright shall remain with the Author.

☐ The Publisher will be listed as licensee.

☐ Publisher will register copyright on Author's behalf.

5. Royalties and Compensation

The Author shall receive:

• Royalty: [X]% of net sales
• Advance Payment: $[Amount] ☐ Recoupable from royalties
• Royalty Reporting: [e.g., Quarterly / Biannually]
• Payment Method: [e.g., Bank Transfer / PayPal]

6. Marketing and Promotion

The Publisher shall have the right (but not the obligation) to:

• Promote the Work using digital and print media
• Organize events, interviews, and campaigns
• Collaborate with third parties for distribution

The Author agrees to participate in reasonable promotional activities upon request.

7. Author Warranties

The Author warrants that:

• The Work is original and does not infringe any rights
• It has not been previously published or licensed
• It contains no unlawful, defamatory, or plagiarized content

8. Termination

Either Party may terminate this Agreement with [X] days' written notice if the other Party breaches any material provision and fails to cure such breach within [X] days.

9. Reversion of Rights

If the Work goes out of print or is no longer offered for sale for a period exceeding [X] months, all rights shall revert to the Author upon written request.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [State/Country].

11. Entire Agreement

This document represents the full agreement between the Parties regarding the publishing of the Work and supersedes any prior agreements or discussions.