A book contract shapes far more than your advance; it determines your rights, creative control, financial compensation, and long-term opportunities. We’ll break down the essential elements of a book contract—from rights and royalties to deadlines and reversion clauses—in a practical and accessible way. Closing with interactive exercises where participants apply the concepts to sample clauses, this session will help authors understand what matters most, what can be negotiated, and what questions to ask.
Alice Speilburg is the founding agent of Speilburg Literary and has worked in book publishing for more than a decade. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (formerly the AAR) and represents narrative nonfiction and commercial fiction.
This class is suitable for intermediate levels.
Cancellation Policy:
The Carnegie Center reserves the right to cancel a class if minimum enrollment is not met. It is best to register early to help our instructors prepare and to ensure the class does not get cancelled. We evaluate registration numbers between 6 and 2 business days before a class starts to decide whether we can hold the class. Classes that do not meet minimum enrollment may be cancelled a minimum of two business days prior to the first class meeting. All participants will be notified by email and will receive full refunds.
