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Peter's avatar

Re Vigilante Submission Guidelines: "...agree that you will not publish the story elsewhere until, and for one year following, the release..."

Until? What happens if the collection is NEVER released? That still appears to apply.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

EXACTLY!

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Emilia's avatar

There should be a termination date, "If the submission is not published by date xx.xx.xxxx the contract is no longer applicable and all requested rights rever back to author" or something of that nature.

(I'm not an expert, I've just read some on the subject).

If an author gets caught in such a contract, it should be nulled as unreasonable, but I don't know if that's possible or what it would take. Intellectual property rights grab is something writers should watch for.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Absolutely spot-on, Emilia.

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Emilia's avatar

Often when I have a story slow down it's because I try to force the character or story into a mold. The more I study writing craft, the more I think I should trust the process and characters.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

You know what I think: That's exactly the right approach. :-)

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Emilia's avatar

More fun as well :)

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

A TON more fun after you're committed to letting the characters tell their own story. And a lot easier.

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