Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You call the entertainment section editor of your local daily.
Using your most diplomatic voice, you call the entertainment section editor
of the local daily. You tell her you've heard your crosswords are now appearing
in other newspapers.
Yes, she says, they were such a hit that other papers contacted her asking
to republish them.
That's great, you say, but you politely point out that in your agreement
with her, you only sold first serial rights to her paper.
She's immediately apologetic and asks whether the paper can buy syndication
rights allowing them to sell your crosswords to another paper. The sum of
money she offers is much more substantial than what you're currently receiving
from the local daily.
You ask for a few days to consider her proposal, which you use to consult
with a legal expert. He tells you the offer is a good one.
You agree to sell the paper syndication rights while still retaining all
other rights, including the right to reprint your crosswords in book form.
By year's end, it looks like you might just be able to achieve your goal of
making a living out of crossword puzzle constructing, thanks to your knack
for business.