Call for writers to participate in RMIT research project about publishing contracts

[Rkcapps]

AWF has been approached to help assist with some research at RMIT University in Melbourne.

Can you help? If you're able, please complete a survey for the university's research. Help give other writers an overview of perceptions of contracts, in the industry (from self-published, published, and emerging writers).

This is document contains some information and a survey. Thanks in advance.

P.S. Please don't feel you have to be a member to participate. If you write your input is much appreciated.

[Rath Darkblade]

I would like to help, but I'm afraid I don't know much about publishing or contracts, so my opinion may not be very valuable. Can I still participate in this project?

[Rkcapps]

I think so, I did it. Some of the survey may not apply to you, but there are questions for emerging writers too.

[Enzed]

I completed the survey and returned it.

Rath, there are questions you could answer such as your views on using an agent.

Joss

[Rath Darkblade]

I've had a good look at the survey and tried filling it out, but I'm afraid that over half of it is irrelevant to me. I haven't published, I don't have a publisher or an agent, and I'm trying to find one, but it's not easy because I don't know which ones are legit and which ones aren't.

As far as I understand it, having an agent is only important if I wish to publish through traditional means (i.e. long-established publishers like Penguin, Random House etc.) If I'm going the self-publishing route, or if I'm publishing through the academic press, then I don't need an agent. Am I right?