'Classical contract theory—of will and morality, of promise or consent—translates awkwardly to contemporary publishing agreements where cultural products are not definitively valued, and publishing agreements’ industrial and aspirational ideals require an ongoing conversation, and relationship, between an author and publisher. Relational contract theory presents a framework in which parties to a contract can continue negotiations, particularly when industry developments create change or conflict. This paper applies relational contract theory to publishing contract negotiations to show how they operate incrementally, and illustrates via select qualitative interviews how contract terms are used in a post negotiation space to strengthen author–publisher relationships and support authors’ livelihoods.' (Publication abstract)
'This research uses exploratory, mixed-method case studies to explore the relationship between Australian micro- and small presses (MSPs), their publishing and promotion of writers of difference (WODs), and the relationship to Couldry’s (2010) concept of voice. Through structured interviews with two publishing houses and their WODs, I (a) identified MSPs’ strategies for publishing and promoting silenced and neglected writers, thus facilitating the expression of voice; and (b) learned how MSPs’ authors respond to their publishers’ efforts to promote voice, and what publishing strategies they suggest for the industry. This research offers a novel contribution to publishing studies and communication for social change.'
Source: Abstract.
