Hi Angela,

I’m working from your excellent article, “When Authors Die…What Happens to Their Books?” Although a latecomer to freelance writing, I have published four books, with two more upcoming this year, making this matter a priority. I’m not a spring chicken.

At your advice, I am preparing a clause for my publisher which will be retroactive (as the publisher said I could do) to include all my book contracts. My lawyer confirmed, too, that such an arrangement was between me and the publisher.

You wrote, in para. 3, “After that mess, we changed our contract, adding a clause that states: If I die while this contract is still in effect, please assign editorial and contractual control and future royalty checks for this book to…” I’m wondering if that was the sum of it, just the name, or was there further legalese?

Thanks, I want to get this right so I can get on with my life. Such matters are very distracting.

Best Regards,

Art

Hiya, Art,

Happy to help. 🙂

The clause in our contract states:

If I die while this contract is still in effect, please assign editorial and contractual control and future royalty checks for this book to:

Beneficiary’s name:

Beneficiary’s street address, city, state and zip code:

Beneficiary’s phone number:

Beneficiary’s email address:

Beneficiary’s relationship to you:

-Angela