How to I get my manuscripts from my publisher?
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How to I get my manuscripts from my publisher?
I wrote 2 books and have the rights to them but the publisher will not release the original manuscripts to me.
Asked on June 2, 2017 under Business Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
The issue is: does she have to return the original MS's to you? Having the rights to the books is NOT the same thing as having the right to the return of the manuscripts you submitted. The publisher is under no obligation to return the MS's to you unless the terms of whatever contract or agreement you had with them provides for their return. Rights, again, are not the same as the physical MS's. (In the future, keep a copy of the MS's when you submit them so that you have them for future use.)
IF there is a contract or agreement requiring their return, then your recourse would be sue the publisher for their return under the terms of the contract, seeking a court order requiring they be given back.
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