Contract for writing biography

By Jessica Friedman

Reprinted from the Summer 2016 issue of the Authors Guild Bulletin

Under the publishing agreement you signed for your latest book, you are most likely responsible for any legal claims that might arise out of it.

Typical ghostwriting rates range anywhere from $30 an hour to $ an hour, depending on your experience and the type of work.

It would depend on how easy the subject was to work with.

I am at the early stages of writing an authorized biography of a well know person.

Subjects of biographies are not parties to the publishing contract.

A bio should quickly explain your most important accomplishments, traits and qualifications during your career development.

Among other things, you “represent and warrant” to the publisher that the book won’t defame anyone, won’t invade anyone’s right of privacy, and won’t tell readers to do things that are dangerous. You also agree to indemnify the publisher, which means to pay the publisher’s legal fees if anyone claims that your book does do any of these things.

If a claim goes to trial, you could be on the hook for your legal fees and your publisher’s, not to mention damages if you lose—a lot of money either way.

If your book is a work of nonfiction, a memoir, or a novel based on real events, and it is being published by a large or medium-size publisher, it probably will go through a prepublication review, or a “libel vet.” An attorney who represents the publisher wil