When signing a book deal, one of the points of contract will be “The Manuscript.” This section outlines the expectations of the author for creating the book that will eventually make its way to the hands of readers. This clause is the center point of any contract, but the obvious inclusion is often cause for ignoring the details. Don’t!

While it’s easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the book contract offer, this clause clearly outlines expectations of the author above and beyond your coveted manuscript. The details, while seemingly standard, may increase your workload and thus require renegotiation of your completion deadline. Also, some of the expectations outlined may be beyond your scope of expertise.

Take for example, a table of contents.

Many non-fiction authors build their books from one and since it’s often required in a proposal, this may not be a challenge. But this item is often paired along with an index and both critical sections must be painfully accurate. Look at the index in any non-fiction book and you’ll discover the depth and detail involved. If you’re up to the task, fantastic. If not, consider your options before signing on the dotted line.

There’s a lot involved in “The Manuscript” clause, and it all falls on the author’s shoulders.

Some of the expected items include the length of the manuscript, the format and language it will be submitted in, and of course, the deadline for the manuscript. In addition to the standard points, this section may include author expectations for creating a book preface, table of contents, indexes, the forward, any guides, and illustrations. It also falls on the author to attain necessary permissions for quotes or excerpts from other books, authors, or expert research. This is not a complete list, but it does cover the highlights.

If this seems a little daunting, take heart.

There are options to help ease your completing the expectations of this clause, if you plan in advance. First, negotiation. Talk with your literary agent about negotiating out some of the items of this clause, putting the onus back on the publisher for creation. In one of my non-fiction book projects, I was fortunate to self-negotiate out of creating my table of contents and index. While this isn’t always possible and you do want to tread carefully so as not to jeopardize the contract, it’s something to consider. Another route is to hire a third party to support you. An illustrator, professional index expert (yes they are out there) or a researcher, may ease the burden so you can focus on your book.

Keep in mind, all these items may or may not be present and may or may not be negotiated.

It’s up to you, your literary agent, and yes, ultimately the publisher to decide what’s expected from the author to result in the best book possible. But proceed with caution and care. If these terms (or any terms) of the agreement are failed to be met, this could either result in termination of contract or expenses withdrawn from author’s royalties. That’s why it’s important to fully evaluate this clause and ensure you’ll be able to meet your end of the bargain