I talked to the friend who has published two books with M. Press. She didn’t know she could/should negotiate for copyright in her name with her first book, so she didn’t. She did negotiate with the second…and she got it! She also got an advance with her second book. So there’s hope…I would never use my friend’s name during the negotiation process, but the fact they’ve given on these points in the past bodes well for a future relationship…despite the fact my contact person told me, “financially and in terms of publishing rights, it’s our standard contract–the same one goes out to all M. authors.” Yes, I’m sure it is…but that doesn’t mean all their authors just sign it as is.
There’s hope…