Is It Wise to Revise?
Considerations on whether authors should write second editions of their non-fiction books.
In early 2010, Cengage released the second edition of my first book, Why New Systems Fail. Since that time, I've thought about updating some of my prior texts but ultimately decided against it. Today, I'll pose some questions that authors should ask and honestly answer before embarking on a proper rewrite.
Is it your decision to make?
Let's start with the obvious query.
Say that you want to release a second edition. Legally, however, you lack the right. When traditional publishers ink deals with authors, the contracts spell out who gets to do what with the content. If this is the case and you independently release a second edition of your title, you're breaching your contract and asking for trouble.
Of course, you can ask your publisher to rescind the rights to your title. If the answer is yes, then read the tea leaves: Your book is not selling well, and future sales will be minimal. Before proceeding, though, wait until you sign an agreement granting you the book's rights. It will take months for that contract to arrive.
If you self-published your title or worked with a hybrid publisher like Racket, then you're in the clear. (Years ago, I heard of some subsidy presses including restrictive language in their client agreements about the ownership of intellectual property. If this is the case, run.)
