Legal Question in Business Law in California

I agreed to a book contract by email. The contract said that I was to get a $3000 advance. I wrote the first quarter of the book as per contract due on May 1, and submitted it to the publisher.

Later in the day the publisher (editor for the publisher) came back to me asking me if I would take half.

Is that legal.

My agent is working on getting me $2000, since that is the very least I would accept.

I've already written one-quarter of it though.

The contract sent to me was not yet signed, but it was pretty much agreed upon.

Should I just let this go?


Asked on 5/01/13, 2:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

I'd say this is primarily a business-judgment issue, not a legal issue. You could probably enforce your contract, if it is halfway decently written (from a legal standpoint), but for the sum involved, the cost and nuisance of litigation, etc., probably not worth while. It's probably more important to figure out whether the publisher is playing games or has a real problem. The sum in question should be peanuts for a mainstream (and solvent) book publisher.

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Answered on 5/01/13, 4:18 pm


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