Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing

Publishing Agreements and Contracts

Purpose of the Publishing Agreement

Once a book proposal has been reviewed and formally accepted for publication, authors or editors will be invited to sign a publishing agreement with Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing.
The publishing agreement is a legally binding contract that defines the rights and responsibilities of both the author and the publisher. It ensures that intellectual property rights are protected and clarifies the conditions under which the work will be published, distributed, and promoted.
The agreement also establishes ethical expectations and ensures that the interests of both parties are safeguarded throughout the publishing process.

Rights Granted to the Publisher

Under the publishing agreement, authors grant the publisher the rights necessary to produce and distribute the book. These rights typically include:

  • the right to publish the work in print format
  • the right to distribute and market the work worldwide
  • the right to reproduce and promote the work in various formats where applicable
  • the right to identify the publisher as the original publisher of the work

In many scholarly publishing models, authors retain copyright while granting the publisher a licence to publish and disseminate the work. The specific rights granted are described in detail in the individual publishing agreement.

Author Responsibilities

By signing the publishing agreement, authors confirm that:

  • the work is original and has not been previously published in the same form
  • all co-authors or contributors have approved the submission
  • all necessary permissions have been obtained for third-party material
  • the work does not infringe copyright or other legal rights of third parties
  • the content complies with accepted standards of research and publication ethics

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the content submitted for publication.

Agreements for Edited Volumes and Chapter Authors

For edited books involving multiple contributors, separate agreements may be required. Editors are responsible for coordinating the submission of chapter manuscripts and ensuring that each contributor signs a chapter publishing agreement.

Chapter agreements typically confirm that:

  • the author created the content of the chapter
  • the chapter is original and properly referenced
  • the author grants the publisher rights to publish and distribute the chapter within the book

Such agreements help ensure that each contributor receives proper credit and retains appropriate ownership of their work.

Copyright and Licensing Options

Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing adopts an author-retained copyright model for its publications. Under this arrangement:

  • The author retains full copyright ownership of their work.
  • The author grants Wilton Clarke Academic Publishing an exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, archive, and disseminate the work in print and other formats.
  • The publisher may exercise this license for the purposes of producing, distributing, and promoting the published work.
  • The author, as copyright holder, retains the right to be identified as the creator of the work in all editions and formats.

This model reflects the publisher’s commitment to respecting authors’ intellectual property rights while ensuring the publisher holds the necessary rights to bring the work to publication and circulation.

Any variation to this arrangement must be agreed upon in writing by both parties prior to signing the publishing agreement.

Signing the Publishing Agreement

Once the terms of the agreement have been reviewed and accepted, the author or editor will be asked to formally sign the publishing contract. This process may involve:

  • review of the contract terms and conditions
  • clarification of rights and responsibilities
  • confirmation of author or institutional affiliation
  • electronic signature of the agreement

Publication of the manuscript cannot proceed until the signed agreement has been received.

Institutional or Employer Considerations

In some cases, authors may be publishing on behalf of an employer, government institution, or research organization. Where institutional policies affect copyright ownership or licensing, special contractual arrangements may be required. Authors should notify the publisher if such circumstances apply.

Royalties and Financial Terms

Where applicable, the publishing agreement will outline the financial terms associated with the publication of the book. These may include:

  • royalty rates for book sales
  • royalty payment schedules
  • conditions for accounting and reporting

Royalty payments are made according to the terms specified in the signed publishing agreement.

Contract Amendments

Any changes to the publishing agreement must be agreed upon by both the author and the publisher in writing. Amendments may occur in situations such as:

  • changes in authorship
  • changes in the scope of the manuscript
  • changes in licensing or copyright arrangements

Contact and Contract Queries

Authors who have questions regarding their publishing agreement or require clarification of contractual terms are encouraged to contact the publisher before signing the contract. The publisher will be pleased to discuss any aspect of the agreement and ensure that authors fully understand the terms under which their work will be published.

Last Updated: 10-March-2026