This will vary by project and press, and some parts of a contract are more easily negotiated than others. For example, word count, number of illustrations, delivery date, and the details regarding royalty rates, advances, subsidiary rights, and author copies may be negotiable to a certain extent at most presses, but other parts of a contract may not be open to negotiation. Nonprofit publishers and presses associated with state institutions may have less flexibility than trade publishers when it comes to making changes to their standard contracts.
However, this doesn’t mean that authors shouldn’t ask questions! Whether a given clause in the contract is open to negotiation or not, it doesn’t hurt to ask for clarification or to advocate for yourself in the contract process. Your contacts at the press should be prepared to address your questions before finalizing and signing the contract. It is good to be informed because the contract binds both the publisher and the author.
—AUPresses Faculty Outreach Committee
See also: “What is copyright?” “How can I amend or terminate my publishing contract?” and “What does ‘royalties will be paid on net profit’ mean?”