How I Took Back My Book and How You Can Too

Hi, Authors. It's Phuong Le here.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, creativity is the heart of your story. Your book is your world, your emotions, and your voice. But what happens when you unknowingly sign away control over it? This is my story of reclaiming my book, and if you're in a similar situation, I’ll show you how you can do the same. 

The Mistake: Signing an Exclusive Contract Too Soon

Like many new authors, I was thrilled when a publisher showed interest in my work. It felt like a dream come true. The contract promised publication and earnings, and I signed without much thought.

But soon, I realized something was wrong. I had given away exclusive rights, meaning they controlled my book. I couldn’t publish it anywhere else. I couldn’t take it back. I felt stuck.

Then it hit me. My book wasn’t really lost. I just needed to find a way to reclaim it.

Understanding the Contract: What You Really Sign Away

Publishing contracts are tricky. Many platforms require exclusive rights, meaning:

✅ They control where your book is published.

✅ They can adapt it into audiobooks, games, or other formats.

✅ You can’t take your book elsewhere, even if you’re unhappy with them.

And if you receive a bonus or minimum earnings, leaving becomes even harder.

I had to find a way out. And I did. 

Rewriting My Book as a "New Work"

Copyright protects exact wording, not ideas. This means:

🍫 If you change at least 40% of the content, it becomes a new work.

🍫 Titles aren’t copyrighted, so you can keep the same one.

🍫 Character names aren’t protected, so you can rename them.

🍫 If you created your own cover art, you still own it and can reuse it.

I rewrote my book from the ground up. I kept the title, world-building, and characters' personalities, but I changed their names and modified the plot structure while ensuring every word was fresh.

Now, I had a new version of my book that was legally mine again. 

Step-by-Step Guide: How You Can Do This Too

If you’re in the same situation, here’s what you can do:

🍫 Step 1: Check Your Contract 

Look for an "exclusive copyright license." If you signed one, they control your book.

See if there’s an earnings threshold (e.g., a minimum payout) that limits termination.

🍫 Step 2: Decide on Your Approach 

If you earned less than the threshold in a set time frame, check if you can exit based on earnings.

If not, prepare to rewrite your book and reclaim it that way.

🍫 Step 3: Rewrite Your Book with 40%+ Changes 

Change character names but keep their personalities.

Modify major plot points while keeping the same themes.

Rewrite every sentence with fresh wording (no copy-pasting!).

Keep your book cover if you own the rights to it.

🍫 Step 4: Republish Your New Version 

Self-publish it on Amazon, Wattpad, or your own website.

Promote it as a "new edition" or a revised version.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by a publishing contract, know this. Your creativity cannot be taken from you. With the right strategy, you can reclaim your book, your rights, and your freedom as a writer.

Don’t let a bad contract define your career. Rewrite, reimagine, and take back what’s yours. 🖤

Lastly, thank you to all my fellow authors who never gave up on this harsh journey.

It’s hard, but it’s possible. Believe in yourself.

You will create such great art that you will be surprised at how much you can do.