Author's Service Agreement
This Author Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between:
MY LITERARY LOUNGE
Trading as
My Literary Lounge Self-Publishing coaching
Website: www.myliterarylounge.co.za
("Service Provider")
and
"Client" or "Author" (as indicated in completed form below)
PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
The Client appoints the Service Provider to provide publishing-related services as described in the selected Package Schedule attached to this Agreement.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
The Service Provider acts as an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as creating a partnership, employment relationship, joint venture, or agency relationship between the parties.
CLIENT OWNERSHIP OF WORK
3.1 The Client warrants that they are the owner of the manuscript or otherwise possess all necessary rights and permissions to publish it.
3.2 The Client retains all copyright and intellectual property rights in their manuscript and published work.
3.3 The Service Provider acquires no ownership interest in the Client's manuscript, content, or published work.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Client agrees to:
• Provide complete and accurate manuscript files and project materials.
• Supply all requested information and approvals within reasonable timeframes.
• Review and approve all deliverables before publication.
• Obtain permissions for any third-party copyrighted material.
• Ensure all submitted content complies with applicable laws.
FEES AND PAYMENT
5.1 All fees are quoted in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise agreed in writing.
5.2 Payment is due in advance unless otherwise agreed.
5.3 Work may commence upon receipt of full payment or an agreed deposit.
5.4 Final files, websites, formatted manuscripts, cover designs, and other deliverables may be withheld until all outstanding amounts have been paid.
5.5 Failure to make payment may result in suspension or termination of services.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
6.1 The Client acknowledges that the Services are customised and created specifically for the Client.
6.2 Where work has already commenced, the Client may be liable for payment of completed work and reasonable costs incurred.
6.3 Refund requests shall be considered in accordance with applicable South African consumer protection legislation.
6.4 No refund shall be required for services already delivered or substantially completed.
COOLING-OFF RIGHTS
Where applicable under South African law, the Client shall have any cooling-off rights provided by law.
The Client acknowledges that customised publishing, editing, coaching, design, formatting, and website services may commence immediately upon acceptance of this Agreement and payment.
ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE
The parties agree that this Agreement may be concluded electronically.
Electronic signatures, online acceptance, website checkbox acceptance, email confirmation, electronic payment, or other electronic methods of acceptance shall constitute valid and binding acceptance of this Agreement in accordance with applicable South African law.
PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
9.1 The Client consents to the collection, storage, processing, and use of personal information reasonably required to provide the Services.
9.2 The Service Provider shall process personal information in accordance with applicable South African data protection legislation.
REVISIONS
10.1 Revision limits are governed by the selected package.
10.2 Additional revisions beyond package limits may be charged at the Service Provider's current rates.
10.3 Deliverables approved by the Client shall be deemed accepted.
10.4 Changes requested after approval may incur additional fees.
PROJECT TIMELINES
11.1 All turnaround times are estimates only.
11.2 Delays caused by the Client's failure to provide information, approvals, or feedback may extend project timelines.
DORMANT PROJECTS
12.1 If the Client fails to respond to communications for more than sixty (60) consecutive days, the project may be deemed dormant.
12.2 Reactivation of a dormant project may be subject to updated pricing and additional fees.
DELIVERABLES
13.1 The Client shall receive only those services expressly included within the selected package.
13.2 Any service not specifically listed within the package is excluded unless agreed to in writing.
AI-ASSISTED SERVICES
14.1 Certain editorial and publishing services may utilise artificial intelligence tools as part of the workflow.
14.2 The Service Provider remains responsible for final review and quality control.
14.3 The Client remains responsible for reviewing and approving all content before publication.
BOOK COVER DESIGN
Where cover design services are included:
15.1 The Client warrants that all images, text, logos, artwork, and other supplied materials are owned or properly licensed.
15.2 Final approved designs become the property of the Client upon full payment.
15.3 Preliminary concepts, drafts, and rejected designs remain the intellectual property of the Service Provider.
WEBSITE SERVICES
Where website services are included:
16.1 Domain registration fees are excluded unless otherwise agreed.
16.2 Website hosting fees are excluded unless specifically stated.
16.3 The Service Provider shall not be liable for third-party hosting failures, outages, security incidents, or platform interruptions.
REVIEW GROWTH SUPPORT
17.1 Review growth support consists of education, strategy, recommendations, and guidance.
17.2 The Service Provider does not guarantee reviews, ratings, rankings, reader engagement, sales, visibility, or commercial success.
AUTHOR AND BOOK SPOTLIGHTS
The Client grants permission for the Service Provider to publish and promote supplied author photographs, biographies, book covers, descriptions, and related marketing materials on My Literary Lounge platforms.
PORTFOLIO RIGHTS
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Service Provider may display completed projects, book covers, websites, author names, testimonials, and published books within its portfolio, website, social media platforms, promotional materials, and marketing campaigns.
PUBLISHING PLATFORM DISCLAIMER
The Client acknowledges that Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, Kobo, Goodreads, and other third-party publishing platforms operate independently.
The Service Provider makes no guarantee regarding:
• Publication approval
• Book sales
• Bestseller status
• Rankings
• Royalties
• Reader engagement
• Reviews
• Platform visibility
• Distribution outcomes
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
21.1 The Service Provider shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages.
21.2 The Service Provider's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the amount paid by the Client for the relevant services.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information exchanged during the course of the project.
TERMINATION
23.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice.
23.2 The Client shall remain responsible for payment of all completed work and costs incurred up to the termination date.
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including natural disasters, internet outages, government actions, platform failures, power interruptions, cyber incidents, or similar events.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
25.1 The parties shall first attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiations.
25.2 If a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, the courts of the Republic of South Africa shall have jurisdiction.
GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement and the attached Package Schedule constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior discussions, proposals, and understandings.
SERVICE PACKAGES INCLUDE
AUTHOR ESSENTIAL PACKAGE
PACKAGE FEE: USD $330
SERVICES INCLUDED:
✓ Publishing Guidance & 1:1 Coaching
✓ Manuscript Formatting:
• PDF
• ePub
• KPF✓ Publishing Setup Support:
• Amazon KDP
• IngramSpark
• Apple Books
• Kobo✓ Author Feature:
• Author Spotlight
• Book SpotlightSERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
✗ Professional Editing
✗ Author Website
✗ Book Cover Design
✗ Review Growth Support
AUTHOR LAUNCH PACKAGE
PACKAGE FEE: USD $700
SERVICES INCLUDED:
✓ Everything included in the Author Essential Package
✓ Professional Editing
• AI-assisted editing
• Up to 10,000 words✓ Author Website
• Simple professional website
• 1–3 pages
• Author profile
• Book showcaseSERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
✗ Book Cover Design
✗ Review Growth Support
AUTHOR SIGNATURE PACKAGE
PACKAGE FEE: USD $1,000
SERVICES INCLUDED:
✓ Everything included in the Author Launch Package
✓ Book Cover Design
• Four initial concepts
• Two rounds of revisions✓ Book Review Growth Support
• Review acquisition guidance
• Platform recommendations
• Review strategy supportADDITIONAL COVER DESIGN REVISIONS:
Any revisions beyond the included two rounds may be billed separately at the current design rate.