Moon & Sun: I’m now clear to write in my world again!

I'm Celebrating!
I’m Celebrating!

I didn’t want to say anything about the fact that I was pursuing the removal of the non-compete clause from my contract until I heard one way or the other.

I got the news today. The non-compete clause for my Scholastic contract is dead, and I’m now free to write stories in that world again.

So now the issue becomes looking at my schedule and figuring out how and where I can start opening the world up again.

For a little context on my move to publishing my own work, read I’ve quit Big Publishing to publish myself.

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By Holly

Novelist, writing teacher, on a mission to reprint my out-of-print books and indie-publish my new ones.

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David Larson
David Larson
8 years ago

Now that you have the opportunity, will you be using “Emerald Sun” as the third and final, to tie it all up? Without the Scholastic contract, you could return to the seven novel series.

Elaine Menendez
8 years ago

woohoo!!!

Karen A. Wyle
8 years ago

Mazel tov! I’m so glad your universe is yours again.

Emma Culberson
Emma Culberson
8 years ago

Ms. Lisle, I am so happy that you will be able to continue the Sun and Moon series. The world in which it takes place is wonderful and your writing style is so original. Thank you for everything you have given to the world through your writing. These adventures have even inspired me to write a fantastical book too(though I must admit it isn’t the best!). I hope everything goes well for you and that the next book comes out soon!

Shawna
8 years ago

Oh, there are totally some of us out there waiting for more of this series!

Irina
Irina
8 years ago

Congratulations! Now I can start to read the series (I had awful expieriences with series on hiatus, so I refrained until now :D)
A NCC sounds not only like pure evil, but completly stupid too. If someone wants to read the new part, chances are they want to read the old ones as well… which would lead to profit for the publisher. But I may be naiv here…

Irina
Irina
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

I always thought, publishers should be required to return the rights of stories to the author after a certain, reasonable amount of time, if they have no interest on publishing the books anyway. Otherwise it could become a sort of censorship, since the publishers can essentially put down a story.

Orenthal
Orenthal
Reply to  Irina
8 years ago

How and why should be publishers be “required” (at gunpoint, presumably) to return something they bought and paid for? Despite evidence to the contrary, we’re still a free society that values property rights.

Walter Daniels
Walter Daniels
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

A “publishing contract” should be a *license* not a slavery contract. That’s why I’ve been advising authors (via my FB page), to “regain your back list rights.” As it stands now, if a publisher “goes under” (Bankrupt), your “book rights” are “corporate assets.” As such, they can be sold to *anyone.* You (the author) have no say in any way. They can be edited into *anything* and you have no say.
Scholastic, like any “big” publisher, cares only about quick, volume sales. Selling 100 a month for eternity, has no value to them. (Granted, tax policies are partly to blame, but not all of the problem.) Self publishers don’t care, using PoD, if they sell one copy, or one thousand every month. (Neither does Createspace, for that matter. They get paid either way.)

Irina
Irina
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Exactly.

Irina
Irina
Reply to  Orenthal
8 years ago

How? There is a thing we call the law in the country where I live, so there’s no need for physical violence.

Why? If they buy the right to publish but they don’t, I feel, that THEY are breaking the agreement and practicing a kind of censorship.

If they paid something, of course the option should be “buy it back”.
But the author is the creator of a world, the characters etc. If a publisher indeed publishes the stuff he bought rights for, fine. But if not the author should have other options for letting the storys s/he created see the light of day.

Stephanie
Stephanie
8 years ago

Stellar news! SO glad you were able to get that clause struck down. Here’s to more good news in the same vein later down the road. Looking forward to seeing what you do in this world in the future!

Kathleen Ide
8 years ago

Yipee, hurray!

What to write about really ought to be up to the writer. (You say that sentence sounds overly tautological? Q.E.D. 😉

Stephen B. Bagley
8 years ago

Woohoo! Congratulations!

Margaret
Margaret
8 years ago

Fantastic news Holly – looking forward to them

Simon
Simon
8 years ago

I can’t wait 😀
I know it won’t be soon soon, but knowing it’s coming is good enough.

Brian Schad
Brian Schad
8 years ago

Fantastic. I teach 5th grade and have had so many students read Ruby Key and Silver Door. My Ruby Key books were used so many times, I had to throw them away – they were falling apart. I determined that it was time that I replace them.

Lara
Lara
8 years ago

Oh my gosh, congrats!!!!

I can’t wait for more books, I’ve been overthinking what would happen to the characters for far too long! The Ruby Key is one of the books I’ve read and reread dozens of times, so it’s so exciting to know that you’ll be able to keep working on its sequels!

Hope
Hope
8 years ago

Yah! Congrats! The Ruby Key was the first book I ever read from you, and I can’t wait to hear more about Genna, Danrith, and the cat! 😀

Lucky
Lucky
8 years ago

I am really happy. The sun and moon series were my first books. Congratulations, Holly!

Hannetjie
Hannetjie
8 years ago

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

Jacquie New
Jacquie New
8 years ago

Congratulations Holly! I can see why you would be doing the Happy Dance. Just brilliant news.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

Why/When did this event come about. Perhaps I’ve been living in a cave.

You said Scholastic contract? Was that job or a publishing company?

Why would they forbid you to write anymore in series of books that you are the creator of?

This is very confusing to a newbie who has just walked in off the street and hasn’t a clue of what has happened.

Perhaps some background information would be in order for the uninformed as this looks like it could be a large issue for budding writers.

Tom

Tom
Tom
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Holy,

Thank you for the insightful explanation of what the world of publisher contracts is like. I and the others who read your books are now better armed in our quest to become both publish and protect the worlds we create with them. I also agree with the thought you have that most of us who write live in caves often and do not pay enough attention to the real world that the publishers live in and who are looking to squeeze every drop of profit out of our work.

One again kudos for you victory to work in the world you created.
Tom

Donna
Donna
8 years ago

Yay! Congratulations Holly.

Deb Salisbury
8 years ago

Congratulations, Holly! That’s great news!

PaigeReeder
PaigeReeder
8 years ago

Yay!

Jeanne Foguth (JeanneF)
8 years ago

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
There, I have used my allowance of exclamation points for the week, but this success deserves them. I know, because I endured breaking two similar contracts a decade ago …. And am still savoring that success

Linsey Lanier
8 years ago

What great news, Holly! You must have had to move the moon and the sun to accomplish that. 🙂 I’m thrilled for you.

Ryan
Ryan
8 years ago

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! I’m so crazy excited about this! I’ve held out hope that someday you could return to that universe for the past couple years through the highs and lows and every now and then I would search for any news about it, so I am ECSTATIC. The first two are in my favorite books list.

Alexa Fox
Alexa Fox
8 years ago

Congratulations dear!

I need to hear about Badger plllllllleeeeeeeease. As soon as you can. *cries*

Alexa Fox
Alexa Fox
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

😉

Michelle
Michelle
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Just chiming in to say – I’d been really interested to see this as a kickstarter – to see how successful it is both as a way to fund publishing but also as a way to publicize a new Moon and Sun.

Ryan
Ryan
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

I think the idea of a kickstarter is great! I’ve backed a lot of kickstarters and would LOVE to be able to back you.

Elaine Milner (esmil)
Elaine Milner (esmil)
8 years ago

Fantastic! That’s a great series! It seems cruel to deny authors the right to continue a series or to write more in a world they created and love, especially when the readers want more of it too.

Avril Sabine
8 years ago

Congratulations.

Johanna
Johanna
8 years ago

OMG SO HAPPY!!!! I freaking LOVE those books and was so sad thinking I would never know the ending! I ADORE those characters. I kind of have a weird crush on the cat. (If he turns out to be a villain, boy will my cheeks be red!) I blame Lady and the Tramp for getting me romantically interested in talking animal characters in the first place 😉

Kathy Wilson
Kathy Wilson
8 years ago

Congratulations. You are an excellent writer and I so enjoy being in one of your classes. HTRYN. It is very hard but so useful. Have fun getting back to what you love.

Kevin Ide
Kevin Ide
8 years ago

My daughter Elia and I are THRILLED at this news! SO GLAD to hear that you took back your right to write and create this world and these characters as they deserve! We greatly look forward to continuing this series and encourage you to write as many books in the series as you want! We will buy and love them all. THANK YOU!!! Kevin Asher & Elia Jade

Tom Vetter
8 years ago

Way to go, Holly! Winning back the rights to the parallel universe you created will give that pesky Muse of yours a beloved playground to romp anew. I’m so pleased for you!

All the best!
Tom Vetter

Justinian
Justinian
8 years ago

Congratulations Holly! That is so fantastic to hear! After watching TradPub so completely screw you over with such a fantastic series, it was a true eye opener for me and one of the things that pushed me into the SelfPub camp!
Will you be able to get rights reverted for the first Moon and Sun books too?

Tammi
Tammi
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Holly- Consider reaching out to Joe Konrath. He hasn’t said publicly (that I’m aware of, and I pay attention) how he did it, and I imagine there are reasons he hasn’t, but he got the rights for his trad-published books back. (Must be a couple of years ago now, because I lived in a different house when I read the news. Funny how we remember things.) He might be willing to share the knowledge with a fellow ex-trad/now-indie, particularly since the two of you have very similar philosophies in re: traditional publishers.

Walter Daniels
Walter Daniels
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Look up the author of The Passive Voice, he’s an IP lawyer (Intellectual Property). He can at least quote you a cost, and it may not be as high as you think.

Tammi
Tammi
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Ah, I see. Yeah, that development came after he’d MADE a buttload of money self-pubbing other stuff – like, seven-figures buttload. That makes sense.

I really hope you’re able to get all that old stuff back.

Any chance of salvaging the rest of World Gates? I know it wasn’t like Moon & Sun (which just stopped) but rather you had to wrap up in Book 3, so I don’t know if there’s anything you can do there … but wow don’t I wish I could have read other 4 books in the series you intended to write instead of the 3rd book we got.

Katherine
Katherine
8 years ago

I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!

Kelley
Kelley
8 years ago

Congratulations! That’s awesome. I liked those books, so I’m selfishly glad you are going to get to finish that series (even if I have to wait a long time for them). And I’m unselfishly glad that you get to have back what’s yours.

Valerie Strawmier
8 years ago

Holly, that is fantastic-congratulations! I wonder though, does this make self-publishing more attractive to you as an author? Or do you feel the same about it, whether that is positive or negative? I know if I had created something as special as the Moon and Sun and were not allowed to write in it again for a long time, that would be frustrating. Congrats on your win and your work is so exciting to read–I love the tips and information you share with us!

Kari
Kari
8 years ago

Yay!! I hope to see more of it in the HTTS Walkthrough 😉

Margaret
Margaret
8 years ago

Fantastic! That’ll be a fun world to return to and it’ll make your readers happy :).

Vannessa
Vannessa
8 years ago

Nothing beats unwrapping the noose from around your neck and breathing again to bring more life to your creation. Congratulations Holly!!

Stavroula
Stavroula
8 years ago

That’s great! I’m extremely happy for you (and for all the fans!)
Cheers

Kelly G in ATX
Kelly G in ATX
8 years ago

[insert happy dance] Huzzah! That’s wonderful news! Congratulations…can’t wait to read what you write!

Rüdiger
Rüdiger
8 years ago

What does that mean? non-compete clause? I’m from germany so I’m not really sure what it means 🙂

Rüdiger
Rüdiger
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Thanks! 🙂

Nicole
Nicole
8 years ago

Congratulations; that’s awesome! Moon and Sun is the work of yours I’m the most interested in reading. I’m excited for you—and for all the fans who were looking forward to more!

Nicole
Nicole
Reply to  Holly
8 years ago

Well, I haven’t read the first few books, but I sure wanted to after your walk-through in one of the lessons! 🙂

Meghan C.
Meghan C.
8 years ago

Congratulations, Holly! What a win!

Thea van Diepen
8 years ago

:DDDDDD This is the best news I heard all day! I can’t wait to read to the end of the Moon and Sun series! (And I’ll be patient as you write it. I’m just so happy that this is a thing that can finally happen 😀 )

Lisa
Lisa
8 years ago

Omg this is so exciting!!!!! I miss those books! So glad, Holly!

Susi Matthews
Susi Matthews
8 years ago

What awesome news! So very happy for you; I can imagine how very frustrating that must have been!

Therese
Therese
8 years ago

Congratulations, Holly!

Amy Iannucci
Amy Iannucci
8 years ago

Yay!! I love those books! So glad you will be able to continue that story again – can’t wait to find out what happens to Genna, the cat, and everyone else!

Layren
8 years ago

I’m so thrilled for you!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

Ralph Henley
Ralph Henley
8 years ago

Holly, congratulations! I had to deal with one of those clauses once. I feel your joy! Yay!!!!

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