The work of authors and editors is collaborative, informal, and often-times deeply personal. That work, however, is governed by a contract that is poorly understood by authors. In this panel an acquisitions editor, a book author, an agent, and a librarian will examine a standard contract in order to demystify the legal language, explain the business principles that shape the rights and responsibilities described, consider the impact of trends in technology and copyright law, and then provide practical guidance for reading, negotiating, and signing this critical document. Questions from and conversation with attendees will be integral to this roundtable discussion.