WARNING to Authors: Draconian Exclusivity and Intellectual Property Trap (Dreame / Starywriting)
Rating: 1 Star (Avoid)
I am writing this review as a professional author who was invited to sign an exclusive contract with Starywriting (which operates platforms like Dreame/Yugto/Sueñovela). My review is not about pay rates, but about the fundamental destruction of an author's intellectual property rights inherent in their standard Exclusive Contract.
The Contractual Red Flags:
After receiving the contract, I took the time to review the clauses carefully. The terms were alarmingly restrictive and, in my professional opinion, pose a significant risk to any author's long-term career:
Extreme Exclusivity: The contract demanded absolute exclusivity, preventing me from publishing the work on any other platform, website, or service (including free sites like Wattpad, Royal Road, or personal blogs) globally, for the entire duration of the contract, which often spans many years and automatically renews.
Loss of Rights Control: The contract provided Starywriting with sweeping rights that extended far beyond digital publishing, including adaptation rights (audiobooks, film, TV, comics) with very limited author control or favorable terms.
No Fair Exit Clause: The ability to terminate the contract or reclaim full rights to the work was difficult and heavily skewed in the company’s favor, effectively locking the novel down indefinitely.
Failed Negotiation Process:
Recognizing the severity of these clauses—especially those concerning exclusivity and rights retention—I engaged in good faith negotiations, requesting specific, standard amendments that would protect my core Intellectual Property (IP), such as:
Limiting the scope of exclusivity to specific territories or formats.
Inserting a clause that automatically returns all rights to the author if the book is not monetized effectively after a set period.
Reducing the binding contract term.
The editor/representative was friendly but ultimately had zero authority or willingness to adjust any core IP-related clauses. They insisted that the restrictive clauses were standard and non-negotiable.
Verdict: Protect Your Work and Walk Away
My final decision was to reject the contract and demand immediate reclamation of my IP. The financial offer was not worth relinquishing my fundamental rights over my creative work.
This is a critical warning to all aspiring authors, especially those who are new to publishing: Before you sign anything with Starywriting or its affiliated platforms (Dreame, Ficfun, etc.), understand that you are signing away your intellectual property, possibly forever, for a highly conditional and often minimal return. The contract is designed to secure the company's assets, not to protect or fairly reward the author.
If you value your ability to control, market, and utilize your stories across multiple platforms, do not sign their Exclusive Contract. Choose a platform that respects author IP.
