Advice

Contracts, fees, negotiations and more – explore our resources and ask for advice

We publish a wide range of guides and articles to help you help yourself. All are available to members free of charge.

We provide observed rates and guidelines to help you negotiate fees.

All members receive free, unlimited, confidential advice on all business aspects of the profession. This includes the vetting of any contract. If you’re a member you can contact us if you have a query.

Always obtain professional advice before you sign any contract. Members are always welcome to consult the SoA.

If you receive an offer from a publisher or agent out of the blue – particularly if the offer comes from the USA – It may well be a scam, and you might find it extremely difficult to extricate yourself. Download our guidance on scams below.

As we explain in our paper Is It a Steal?, If you contribute towards the cost of publication to a publisher who also takes rights in your work, you may well end up disappointed and badly out of pocket. Again, it might be extremely difficult to extricate yourself. One author-contribute publisher about which we regularly receive complaints and concerns is LR Price. We strongly suggest that you contact us (member or not) before entering into a deal with this company.

Ask an advisor

Unsure about a contract? Concerned about payments or copyright? Stuck with an obscure problem that nobody can help you with?

Guides

Information and practical guidance for authors

Rates and fees

Observed rates and links to resources to help you negotiate payments