Client Challenge
A US-based author was working with a POD vendor who failed to deliver print-ready PDFs for the scheduled launch. This created:
-
Risk of missing the book launch date
-
Potential royalty loss
-
Confusion over intellectual property ownership
The vendor insisted files were delivered, while the client had no verified record. Litigation was an expensive and stressful prospect.
Strategy and Implementation
Write Right introduced a structured SOW (Statement of Work) template that clearly defined:
-
IP Handover: Ownership of final manuscripts and print-ready files.
-
Deliverables: Detailed milestones, file formats, and platform-ready specifications.
-
Acceptance Criteria: Steps for verifying each deliverable before project approval.
-
Dispute Resolution: Clear guidelines for resolving missed deadlines or missing files.
We reviewed the vendor agreement and inserted missing clauses into the SOW to protect the author’s rights.
The Execution
-
The author presented the SOW to the vendor, showing proof of milestone requirements.
-
Vendor agreed to resubmit PDFs under the verified acceptance criteria.
-
Write Right coordinated final validation of files, ensuring all print-ready materials met platform specifications before release.
The Results
-
Zero litigation required: The dispute was resolved quickly and professionally.
-
Launch schedule preserved: No delay in printing or distribution.
-
Client confidence restored: The author felt secure knowing deliverables were documented and traceable.
-
SOW template reusable: The author can now use the same framework for future vendors or collaborators.
This demonstrates that having a clear SOW and IP handover process is essential for avoiding costly disputes, even in low-cost publishing projects.
