Writers-Publish.com Banner
Most authors don't think about ebook master resale rights when they approach a publisher. Maybe they should, because that's definitely what's on the publisher's mind.
Ever see a "cross-over" product? "Spawn", "The Hobbit", "Spider-Man", "Harry Potter", "Star Wars", the list goes on. I'm talking about comic book characters and stories re-cast as movies, movies re-cast as video games, and books re-cast as TV series, music albums, stage plays, breakfast cereals, etc.
If you write a story that really grabs people, it will be retold a dozen different times, in a dozen different formats. And with each retelling, whoever holds the story's ebook master resale rights makes even more money.
There was a time when signing away resale rights were a standard clause in your publishing contract. That clause disappeared in most ebook contracts (make sure that's the case with yours). Once your story becomes a best-seller, you still have the rights for its retelling.
You may encounter web sites that offer turn-key ebook businesses, complete with master resell rights. These ebooks-I mean, "electronic information products"-tend to focus on Internet and home-based business, personal finance, and various money-making systems.
Part of each site's campaign is to point out that the other sites only resell rights to outdated, poor-quality ebooks that would never sell. If you're an online publisher looking for a quick increase in your selection of business and finance titles, then do your homework before buying any ebook master resale rights. Otherwise, it would be best to keep your credit card in your wallet.
How to Create a Cover for eBook Success