Collaboration Top Five

THE TOP FIVE REASONS *NOT* TO COLLABORATE

5) Criticism. One of the reasons why a partnership can succeed is also the reason why it can fail. With two people approaching the partnership from two different mindsets, conflicts will happen. If you can’t take constructive criticism well, then a co-writer who will always be at the ready with input may not be for you. Or in the words of H.G. Wells, “No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else’s draft.”

4) If you want total control, then you don’t need a partner. You may want a contract writer instead.

3) Separation can be very sticky. Be very cautious about partnerships. They seem to be so easy to get into and so difficult to get out of.

2) Two heads are better than one, but that also means it takes twice the time to complete a project.

And the Number 1 reason *not* to collaborate is:

1) You have to share the money. Agatha Christie once said, “I’ve always believed in writing without a collaborator, because where two people are writing the same book, each believes he gets all the worries and only half the royalties.”

(Funny, the only quotes we could dig up apply to the reasons NOT to collaborate. Wonder what, exactly, that means.<g’s>)

TOP FIVE REASONS *TO* COLLABORATE

5) Instant feedback. No waiting until your monthly critique group, or until you get that really nice rejection or long revision letter in the mail from an editor.

4) Sharing the workload. When you work with a partner, you get much more work done by dividing the duties.

3) Support System. When you feel down, or even happy and want to celebrate, who better to turn to than your writing partner?

2) Quality of work. Again, the saying “two heads are better than one” applies here. The overall quality of the work produced is usually higher than that of a single person’s, simply because two different talents are involved.

And the Number 1 reason *to* collaborate is:

1) Book signings. You hear the horror stories. An author sits for two or three hours, with long waits between sales. When you collaborate, your partner can share the responsibility of pointing out where the restrooms are.

SAMPLE DRAFT OF A CO-WRITER/AUTHOR AGREEMENT

This agreement is made between _____________________(Writer/Author) and _________________(Writer/Author).

It is agreed that subject Writers/Authors will act as co-writers/authors [either a) on one particular work with the working title of______, or b) for an indefinite amount of time that includes all works completed until the dissolution of the co-writer/author-ship].

The the credits are to be framed so as to give both Writers/Authors credit as author of the book. The copyright for the finished work is to be held in both names; all royalties from the sale of book(s), or from the sale of subsidiary rights, are to go equally to both authors. Both Writers/Authors shall also retain equal rights to the decided upon pseudonym.

The agreed upon duties of each Writer/Author is as follows: (optional)

Should either Writer/Author wish to pull out of the agreement for causes having to do with anything other than illness or other catastrophe, she/he shall notify the other Writer/Author via certified mail within two weeks. In such case, the remaining Writer/Author shall retain control over the agreed upon pseudonym, and all rights to current (less than 50% [fifty percent] uncompleted and unpublished) works, and the departing Writer/Author shall forfeit any claim to copyright ownership, royalties, and/or the sale of subsidiary rights, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The departing Writer/Author retains all agreed upon rights on those works 50% (fifty percent) complete or published.

If separation is a result of illness or other personal calamity prior to 50% (fifty percent) completion of current work(s), the remaining partner shall retain full ownership over the agreed upon pseudonym, and all rights to the work(s) in question, and the departing Writer/Author shall forfeit any claim to copyright ownership, royalties, and/or the sale of subsidiary rights. If separation is a result of illness or other personal calamity following 50% (fifty percent) completion of current work(s), both Writers/Authors (including subject Author’s estate) shall retain ownership of the agreed upon pseudonym for that particular work, and all rights to the work in question, including claim to copyright ownership, royalties, and/or the sale of subsidiary rights.

In the event that the partnership dissolves by mutual agreement, or by death, [a) future rights to the pseudonym shall be retained by ____________(Writer/Author) or surviving Writer/Author, b) the pseudonym can no longer be used by either party, or c) pseudonym can be used by both parties].

This contract is being entered into in good faith. It is the only agreement between the Authors.

Author____________________________

Author____________________________

Date____________________

This is a sample agreement. Please consult a literary attorney for a more binding contract.