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Industry Truth 20 of 30

The "Confidentiality" Gag: Silence as Security

Tales From A Harrogate Caravan

At a Glance

  • • Focus: The argument that confidentiality clauses are used to keep authors from warning others.
  • • Includes: NDAs, settlement terms, silence clauses, and the trade's preference for quiet.
  • • Who it's for: Authors who signed a contract and found they could not talk about it.
A person with their mouth covered by a thick, heavy seal.

The Industry Way

They often demand you keep all discussions, deals, and interactions "confidential." They want to ensure you don't talk to other writers, don't compare contracts, and don't discuss their processes. They treat their business like it's a state secret, using confidentiality as a tool to prevent transparency. You are discouraged from ever asking, "Is this what other authors get?"

An open book with words flowing outward.

Tales From A Harrogate Caravan Way

No gag order. Send it, we publish it, talk about it however you like.

The Full Story

The industry’s culture of silence is how bad contracts and abusive practices remain hidden. By isolating authors, agencies prevent the formation of a collective consciousness. If every writer thinks they are the only one having a bad experience, no one speaks up. We dismantle this by being open. We know that when writers talk, the power dynamics shift. We don't fear an informed author; we thrive on them.

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