ASA launches Authors Legal

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has launched a new non-profit law firm to provide low-cost legal advice to its members.

Authors Legal will be headed by managing lawyer and director Victoria Chylek. The firm will provide legal advice on trade publishing agreements, ghost writing agreements, literary agent and author agreements, distribution agreements and copyright.

‘Whether it’s first-time authors seeking a contract review, or an established writer wanting specific assistance on contractual terms, Authors Legal can help them to understand their rights and obligations, and arm them with the knowledge they need to negotiate and optimise their agreements,’ the ASA said. ‘Authors Legal is a unique law firm. It operates exclusively in the publishing space, combining both legal specialisation and industry knowledge at an affordable cost.’

‘Authors’ economic rights flow from the contracts they sign and the terms they manage to negotiate,’ said Chylek. ‘If you are not represented by a literary agent, it can be very difficult to know the industry norms. Without practical legal advice, it is also difficult to understand the long-term legal and financial implications of your publishing agreement. I am so delighted to be involved in the establishment of our bespoke law firm for authors and illustrators and to help Australian creators in their on-going efforts to build sustainable incomes from their work.’

Authors Legal operates as a subsidiary of the ASA.

Pictured: Victoria Chylek

Category: Local news