Why I'm Biased Toward Getting Your Rights Back (Solo Episode)

If you're thinking about writing an authority building book, and I really hope you are, and you don't want to be counting pennies or checking your book sales all the time, you actually want a book that's going to change your life, I can tell you how. Just go to sevenfigurebooks.com. I'm not trying to capture your email or anything. You can just download this PDF that's going to tell you exactly how to turn an authority building book into revenue, speaking, authority, and no exaggeration, a whole new life.

Most traditionally published authors go through a moment (or 100 moments) when they realize that their publisher isn’t actually doing anything for them. Some just accept that while others ask themselves the age-old question: can I get my rights back?

That’s what a listener asked me this week: when a publishing contract expires, is it better to renew or get the rights reverted? I'm not a lawyer, and I don't know the details of this person's contract, but I'm naturally biased toward reversion.

I got the rights to my book Party Girl back from HarperCollins, and it changed everything. I republished the book under my own imprint with the cover I actually wanted, then rewrote it years later as a PG version that landed me coverage in the Wall Street Journal and a spot on Access Hollywood.

That said, staying is worth it if your publisher is actually providing value: real marketing, real distribution, strong retail presence. I never had that kind of relationship with any of my publishers, and I'd say it was closer to antagonistic, probably partly my fault for being slow to understand how publishing actually works.

This isn't all or nothing, though. You can go back to your publisher and ask what they'd actually commit to before deciding either way, and if reversion feels like a nightmare because you don't want to deal with relaunching on Amazon yourself, I get it (and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is exactly the kind of thing Legacy Launch Pad does for people).

In this episode:

Why publishers have no incentive to help you use your book to build your own business, only theirsThe Amazon control most traditionally published authors don't realize they're giving up—no A+ content, no author excerpts, no ability to fix your own descriptionThe Party Girl category mishap—how a publisher listed the book as humorous science fiction and what that reveals about how much attention publishers really payWhy higher royalties, pricing control and cover control are the biggest practical arguments for getting your rights backThe negotiation questions to ask a publisher (sales benchmarks, marketing commitments and better royalty terms) before deciding whether to renew or walk awayP.S. — Want me to answer your book question on a future episode? DM me on Instagram (@annabdavid), message me on LinkedIn or email anna@annadavid.com.

Want to know more about my company? Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is a boutique hybrid publisher for entrepreneurs and established founders. We help clients create books that build authority, attract opportunities and grow businesses. More info 👉 https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com

Want to ask me how to build authority with your book to generate seven-figure returns, speaking opportunities and high-value clients? 👉 https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/pocket-anna

Interested in working with a selective hybrid publisher that focuses on strategy, authority and long-term business growth—not just publishing a book? 👉 https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/apply

And if you just want to know more about me,  👉 www.annadavid.com