Read the Fine Print: Your Contract Questions Answered

Contracts for writers today go far beyond pay rates and deadlines for creative works, with many media outlets asking for ownership of the work in perpetuity, or requiring writers to hold personal liability insurance or absorb attorney and court fees if anything goes south. What can writers to do assert their rights? Attorney Joseph Perry and ASJA members Ellen Ryan and Jack El-Hai will provide some insight and tips you can use to try to negotiate more favorable terms.

Jack El-Hai is a print, digital, and book writer who has contributed to The Atlantic, Smithsonian, Scientific American, GQ, Discover, Wired, and many other publications. His nonfiction books include The Lobotomist, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, and The Lost Brothers. Many of his writings have been optioned for film, TV, audio productions, and documentaries. In addition, he is the writer of the historical true-crime podcast Long Lost. A past president of ASJA, he lives in Minneapolis.

Joseph Perry is a publishing attorney and literary agent at The Law Offices of Joseph J. Perry, P.C. and Perry Literary. As an attorney, Joseph counsels clients in the publishing industry, where he drafts and negotiates various publishing agreements, conducts pre-publication review of manuscripts, registers copyrights, and helps authors start their own publishing companies. As an agent, he represents bestselling cookbook authors, athletes, musicians, journalists, influencers, academics, and more. Joseph obtained his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Bonaventure University. He is a graduate of New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute. 

Ellen Ryan is a longtime independent writer/editor specializing in profiles, case studies, and features largely for nonprofit and trade associations. Her work has appeared in AARP, The Washingtonian, The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, USA Today Guide to Kids’ Health, ForbesLife Executive Woman, USNews.com, and publications centered on business, education, and consumer health. On Twitter she’s @ERyanWriter.