“If you don’t understand your publishing contract, you don’t own your career.” — Melissa Nasson

If you’ve ever stared at a book contract and thought, “I’ll just sign it,” this episode is the moment that changes everything.On THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF PODCAST, literary lawyer and former literary agent MELISSA NASSON pulls back the curtain on the clauses, rights, royalties, and hidden traps that shape your entire publishing future.

Whether you are writing picture books, middle grade, YA, or self-publishing your own titles, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you need before putting pen to paper.Melissa breaks down:

✔️ How royalties really work (and how “net receipts” can destroy your income)

✔️ Predatory hybrid/self-publishing red flags

✔️ Out-of-print and reversion clauses that protect your long-term rights

✔️ Subsidiary rights authors MUST guard (audio, translation, podcast, film/TV, merchandising)

✔️ Contract negotiation strategies that actually work

✔️ How agents and literary lawyers tag-team contract reviews

✔️ Illustrator contracts for self-publishers that protect your IP, characters & sequels

✔️ The clauses authors skim that carry the biggest financial consequencesThis is the contract masterclass every creator wishes they heard before querying, before hiring an illustrator, and definitely before signing a publishing deal.

🎟️ THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF SUMMIT — JAN 12–17A full week of masterclass-level training for authors, illustrators, self-publishers, and publishing professionals — ending with our special live Pitch Event featuring literary agent Syrone Harvey of Belcastro Agency.PLUS: This Summit kicks off our brand-new season of monthly pitch events.

👉 Get your Summit Ticket https://thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com/storytellers-shelf-summit/

☕ Support the Podcast

Ko-fi → https://ko-fi.com/storytellersshelfpodcast

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✏️ Try Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html/storyteller?fpr=storyteller

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