Mar
18
uk book published germany – i need advice urgently?
By
i won a millenium award to write a short book about caring for someone with alzheimers disease. something i did for my mother for four years -with no support. i published the book myself & it has done quite well. a german couple i met bought the book & asked me if they could translate it into german. i said yes, not really thinking they would necessarily do it. recently they e-mailed to say they spent all summer translating it & sent me a rough copy (they live in germany). i cant afford to spend good money after bad e.g. if i go to costly solicitors & then the german people say there is no market for my book& agents are almost impossible to get. i am worried about loosing my copyright.i did send them an e-mail – they replied agreeing the copyright & intellectual property is mine. they own a large computer company in germany & i dont want to find my book has gone worldwide & i dont profit from it. they did mention possibly 40/50% to bookshops 40% to them & 10% me but no contract yet..
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3 Comments
October 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Unfortunately it sounds like you do need a lawyer or at least someone to take a look at the contract.
The split you mention seems very wrong to me, but I might be way off. I know writers make very little, and if there aren’t any costs for you, maybe this isn’t a bad deal. But you need someone in your corner.
Are you saying you couldn’t get an agent? You’ve already had some success and you have another potential market opening up – I’d think someone would be interested. I know it’s a bigger chunk taken out of the profits, but it might be worth it. And who’s to say what could occur next?
I picked up a book in a thrift store here (the States) called The 36 Hour Day (I think it was – very similar) and found it was about Alzheimer’s. It’s been out a bit, but it’s still selling well. I believe, with the right person, you could find a market for this topic.
Best of luck to you. Maybe someone else with more legal experience will respond. Just take care. And keep your emails.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 am
If you are the original writer of the story then no matter of translators can affect that. They will earn a percentage of the royalties but the majority would go to you.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 am
Go to the citizen’s Advice Bureau. They will at least be able to tell you your basic rights and let you know whether you need legal representation.
As far as royalties go, you need to check it out. I write educational resources for a UK publisher and only get 7% royalties and a lump sum advance.