Book Publishing Lawyer Miami
Publishing a book is an exciting achievement, but it comes with legal complexities that can impact your ownership rights, earnings, and creative control. Whether you are working with a traditional publisher, self-publishing, or signing a literary agent agreement, having a book publishing lawyer ensures that you are legally protected throughout the process.
At Cruz Legal, P.A., attorney Marisol Cruz helps authors, novelists, and content creators navigate the legal side of publishing, ensuring that their contracts are fair, copyrights are protected, and financial interests are secured.
Legal Services for Authors & Publishers
We offer comprehensive legal services for writers, including:
- Publishing Contract Review & Negotiation – Ensuring you receive fair royalties and retain ownership rights
- Copyright and Trademark Protection – Filing to protect your Intellectual Property against unauthorized use unauthorized use
- Self-Publishing Legal Guidance – Ensuring that you maintain full control over your work
- Literary Agent Agreements – Securing fair commission rates and representation terms
- Book-to-Film/TV Adaptation Rights – Ensuring you get fair compensation if your book is adapted into a movie or TV show
- Ghostwriting & Co-Author Agreements – Clarifying ownership, royalties, and credits for joint works
Understanding Publishing Contracts
A publishing contract is a legally binding agreement between an author and a publisher that determines:
- Who owns the rights to the book
- How royalties and advances are paid
- What rights the publisher holds (print, digital, audiobook, film, etc.)
- The author’s obligations (manuscript deadlines, revisions, etc.)
Signing a bad contract can mean losing control of your book, earning low royalties, or getting locked into an unfair deal. We review, negotiate, and modify publishing contracts to ensure authors receive fair terms.
Key Terms to Watch for in a Publishing Contract
- Copyright Ownership – Does the publisher own the rights, or do you retain them?
- Royalties & Advances – Are you getting fair compensation per book sale?
- Rights Licensing – Does the publisher control audiobook, foreign, or film rights?
- Marketing & Promotion – Who is responsible for book promotion and advertising?
- Out-of-Print & Reversion Clauses – Can you get your rights back?
If any of these terms favor the publisher unfairly, we help renegotiate the contract to protect your interests.
Self-Publishing Legal Considerations
If you’re self-publishing on platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Apple Books, legal protection is still essential. Authors may face challenges to the ownership of their copyrighted work, especially when publishing under a pen name instead of their legal name. Our firm helps ensure your rights are protected and that your work remains legally yours.
We also guide self-published authors through the legal agreements they sign, helping them maintain full control and maximize their earnings.
Literary Agent Contracts: What You Need to Know
If you are signing with a literary agent, be aware of:
- Commission Fees – Standard agent fees are 15% of earnings.
- Exclusive Representation – Does the agent control all rights, including foreign sales and film deals?
- Contract Length – Can you terminate the agreement if the agent isn’t delivering results?
A bad agent contract can lock you into years of limited earnings and poor representation. We ensure you sign an agreement that benefits your career.
Book-to-Film/TV Adaptation Rights
If a movie studio or producer wants to adapt your book into a film or TV series, you need to negotiate fair rights and compensation.
- Option Agreements – Getting paid for allowing a studio to develop your book into a script
- Screenplay Rights – Retaining creative input over the adaptation
- Royalty & Profit Sharing – Securing a fair percentage of box office or streaming revenue
- License Agreements – Controlling how your book is used in other media
Many authors unknowingly sign away their film rights for little or no compensation. We ensure that your rights are fully protected.
Copyright Protection for Books
Your book is your intellectual property, and without proper copyright protection, anyone can copy or distribute your work.
- Register with the U.S. Copyright Office – Provides legal proof of ownership and allows you to sue for damages
- Include Copyright Notices in Your Book – Deters infringement and plagiarism
- Monitor for Unauthorized Use – We can send cease-and-desist letters if someone steals your content
If you need copyright protection or dispute resolution, we help ensure your work remains legally yours.
What If You Already Signed a Bad Contract?
If you’ve already signed a bad publishing deal, you may still have legal options. We can:
- Review your contract for termination or renegotiation possibilities
- Negotiate better terms with your publisher or agent
- Explore legal strategies to regain control of your rights
If you feel trapped in an unfair publishing contract, we can help explore solutions.
Why Hire a Book Publishing Lawyer?
Publishing contracts are legally binding agreements that affect your rights, earnings, and creative freedom. Hiring an experienced Miami book publishing lawyer ensures that:
- You fully understand the contract before signing
- Your intellectual property rights are protected
- You negotiate fair terms with publishers or agents
- You retain control over your work and earnings
At Cruz Legal, P.A., we help authors, screenwriters, and content creators navigate complex publishing agreements with confidence.
Why Choose Cruz Legal, P.A.?
Experienced in Publishing & Contract Law
Effective Negotiation Strategies
Bilingual Legal Services
Personalized Legal Guidance
Schedule a Consultation with a Miami Book Publishing Lawyer
Before signing any publishing, agent, or adaptation contract, let a book publishing lawyer review your agreement and protect your rights.
Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with book publishing lawyer Marisol Cruz.
Protect your work and your future today!