irish writers union

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you help me?
Hopefully, but there are no guarantees. Prevention is always better than cure and, regrettably, writers are all too often authors of their own misfortune.

They didn't pay me an advance.
So why did you offer them your book?

They asked me to contribute to the costs of publication.
Get real. If your book is worth publishing, or if the publisher is one with which you should place your book, they will bear the full costs of production.

Can you get a cheque out of them?
Possibly. The likelihood of this being achieved will depend of the contract signed. But it will also depend on how professional the writer has been in keeping records of every contact, oral and written, with the publishing house.

They're not answering my phone calls or letters.
Surprise surprise. It happens a lot; often when cheques are due. Sadly contracts are often written to the disadvantage - even detriment of the author.
However, if the writer has a file of all dealings with the publisher and if the publisher has clearly erred, the Union will contact the publisher on the author's behalf.
More often than not, we get a result.

They didn't consult me about the cover.
Back to the contract. It all depends on what was said about the author's right to be consulted in the contract. Clearly, it is the writer's duty to insert a clause to the author's advantage, if it is not there already.

They destroyed unsold copies without telling me.
It happens a lot. Forgetful chappies, publishers would often appear to be. An oversight, they'll claim. What the Union can do often depends on a well negotiated contract - in which case publishers are a lot less likely to bin remaindered copies because they'll take you a lot more seriously.

Their publicity is dreadful.
It often is. But what did the author insist on at the time of negotiating the contract?
I was invited to give a talk and my books were not available in local bookshops.
Presume nothing. Be professional. Get everything down in writing, from the earliest possible time so these 'misunderstandings' and 'administrative blunders' are a lot less likely to happen in the first place.

They told me the IWU approves their contract
The IWU does not and never has approved the contracts of any publisher.
This has been publicly stated and it is wholly wrong for any publisher to convey the impression, directly or indirectly, that the Union approves, endorses, or is even well disposed towards any publisher's contract.

They told me it was a standard contract
There is no standard contract and you should never ever sign the first contract you are offered.
A contract is a negotiating process. Never ever sign one unless you understand every single clause and until you have significantly improved it.
Never ever sign an option clause.

They said we didn't need a contract.
Not worth the paper it's written on.

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	Irish Writers Union Chomhar na Scribhneoiri Chomhar na Scribhneoiri	Frequently asked questions
This is the website of the Irish Writers' Union, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. 01-872 13 02. or email The website is edited by Brendan Nolan	Frequently Asked Questions Can you help me? Hopefully, but there are no guarantees. Prevention is always better than cure and, regrettably, writers are all too often authors of their own misfortune. They didn't pay me an advance. So why did you offer them your book? They asked me to contribute to the costs of publication. Get real. If your book is worth publishing, or if the publisher is one with which you should place your book, they will bear the full costs of production. Can you get a cheque out of them? Possibly. The likelihood of this being achieved will depend of the contract signed. But it will also depend on how professional the writer has been in keeping records of every contact, oral and written, with the publishing house. They're not answering my phone calls or letters. Surprise surprise. It happens a lot; often when cheques are due. Sadly contracts are often written to the disadvantage - even detriment of the author. However, if the writer has a file of all dealings with the publisher and if the publisher has clearly erred, the Union will contact the publisher on the author's behalf. More often than not, we get a result. They didn't consult me about the cover. Back to the contract. It all depends on what was said about the author's right to be consulted in the contract. Clearly, it is the writer's duty to insert a clause to the author's advantage, if it is not there already. They destroyed unsold copies without telling me. It happens a lot. Forgetful chappies, publishers would often appear to be. An oversight, they'll claim. What the Union can do often depends on a well negotiated contract - in which case publishers are a lot less likely to bin remaindered copies because they'll take you a lot more seriously. Their publicity is dreadful. It often is. But what did the author insist on at the time of negotiating the contract? I was invited to give a talk and my books were not available in local bookshops. Presume nothing. Be professional. Get everything down in writing, from the earliest possible time so these 'misunderstandings' and 'administrative blunders' are a lot less likely to happen in the first place. They told me the IWU approves their contract The IWU does not and never has approved the contracts of any publisher. This has been publicly stated and it is wholly wrong for any publisher to convey the impression, directly or indirectly, that the Union approves, endorses, or is even well disposed towards any publisher's contract. They told me it was a standard contract There is no standard contract and you should never ever sign the first contract you are offered. A contract is a negotiating process. Never ever sign one unless you understand every single clause and until you have significantly improved it. Never ever sign an option clause. They said we didn't need a contract. Not worth the paper it's written on. home aims benefits committee events faq honoured plunkett join links contract membersites news plr reviewing tax
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