Author Andrew Lownie Sues Simon & Schuster Over Cancelled Book Deal

Author Andrew Lownie is taking legal action against publishing giant Simon & Schuster after they allegedly canceled his book deal, depriving him of a $250,000 advance and future royalties. The lawsuit, obtained by Radar, reveals the details of Lownie’s dispute with the publishing company.

According to the lawsuit, Simon & Schuster was supposed to pay Lownie a $250,000 advance in three installments, as is customary in the publishing industry. The author claims that after receiving the first payment, the company abruptly canceled the book deal despite agreeing on edits and revisions for the manuscript.

Lownie recounts the events leading up to the cancellation, stating, “Four days after delivery of the manuscript, their editorial team sent me a brief set of notes requesting small changes, such as an introduction. I promptly made the revisions as per their feedback.”

However, Lownie was shocked when Simon & Schuster terminated the contract on May 15, just a month after receiving the manuscript and well before the deadline for revisions. The publisher cited ‘editorial unacceptability’ as the reason for canceling the deal, despite not having reviewed the revised manuscript.

The author expresses his frustration with the situation, emphasizing that the publisher had previously acknowledged that the material was in good shape and only required minor adjustments. Lownie believes that Simon & Schuster’s decision to cancel the contract was unjustified and is seeking legal recourse to recover the advance and potential royalties he would have earned from the book.

This case highlights the challenges that authors face in the publishing industry and the importance of clear communication and fair treatment from publishers. Lownie’s lawsuit against Simon & Schuster serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring authors navigating the complex world of book deals and contracts.