A person who asked to remain anonymous wrote to ask…
I'm a novelist who was about to sign two contracts right before the strike started. One was an option deal for the rights to my latest book; the other was a contract to help develop that book for TV. I'm wondering if it would still be OK to sign the first contract, which is just the book option/book rights. I'm hoping to be a WGA member going forward, and wanted to make sure I didn't mess that up.
I'm not going to say "Go ahead and sign that contract" because it might be a lousy contract. But I'm pretty sure that signing it will in no way impact your standing with the Writers Guild. The jurisdiction of the WGA does not extent to books…or for that matter, comic books. And yes, I wish it did extend to many other forms of writing and yes, I looked into whether it would be possible to have the WGA cover comic books and no, I don't think that will happen in our lifetimes even if I live as long as a Galápagos tortoise.
You can see for yourself right here in the Strike Rules…
The Rules prohibit the performance of writing services for a struck company in connection with audiovisual or audio works intended for initial exhibition in any market covered by the MBA, including feature motion pictures, television and new media, as well as the option or sale of literary material for that purpose.
The Rules apply to all animated series covered by a WGA contract. Writers who wish to perform writing services in connection with fully animated theatrical features and television programs are advised to consult with WGA staff to determine whether such writing is prohibited before performing, or contracting to perform, any writing services. Members should assume that projects combining live action and animation are covered by the Strike Rules.
The strike also covers fiction podcasts done under WGA contracts. In fact, it covers anything normally done under a WGA contract. If you have any uncertainty or just want to put your mind at ease, call the Guild and ask. The phone numbers are on that page of Strike Rules.
This is a good place to answer another question I've received: How is the strike affecting you, Mark? Well, a couple of projects I had are in limbo until the walkout is over. But I'm still writing comics, one in the form of a graphic novel. I'm also writing a non-graphic novel and working on my book on Jack Kirby and I have some offers for animation that would not be covered by the WGA. I've even receiving the question of whether I'm breaking WGA rules by writing my blog. No, obviously, I am not.
