2. Subject Matter of the Agreement
2.1 The subject matter of this Agreement is the literary work created by Party B named [____________] (hereinafter referred to as the "Work"). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that if Party B creates a prequel, sequel, special edition, continuation, series, or the like of the Work (hereinafter referred to as "Series"), such Series shall be deemed as part of the Work under this Agreement and be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
2.2 Outline of the Work
Prior to the creation of the Work, Party B shall deliver an outline draft of the Work to Party A (the "Draft") to Party A on or before [______]. If Party A proposes any revisions to the Draft, Party B shall consider Party A's suggestions in good faith and make corresponding revisions.
Only after the Draft has been reviewed and approved by Party A can Party B proceed to create the Work, which must be made in accordance with the Draft reviewed and approved by Party A.
2.3 Word Count, Work Schedule and Release
The targeted timetable and word count of the Work shall be agreed by the Parties [via email/in writing]. The Parties further confirm that the word count of the Work is between [_____] words and [____] words. Party B undertakes that it shall deliver a Draft and complete the Work in accordance with the targeted timeline and word count. The word count of the Work shall be calculated based on [the criteria set out in Party A's creative platform at InkStone (https://inkstone.webnovel.com) (excluding spaces or punctuations)]. Party B will publish and distribute the Work by means of digital communication via the distribution channels as agreed by the Parties.
Party B confirms that the date for first delivery of the Work is [____].
2.4 If, during the term of this Agreement, Party B fails to meet the requirements under this Agreement, including but not limited to the word count or chapter count of the Work as required or Party B has failed to meet the timeline to finish the Work, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, the term of this Agreement shall be extended to the date on which Party B has completed the Work that meets all requirements under this Agreement.
2.5 After Party B has reached the minimum word count as stipulated in Clause 2.3, Party A is entitled to, based on market demand and publication requirements of the relevant distribution platform, ask Party B to stop working on the Work and complete the Work. If Party B refuses to do so after receiving Party A's request, Party A will not pay any remuneration for the part of the Work created by Party B after Party A has asked Party B to stop (but Party B's assignment to Party A of all copyright to the entire Work under Clause 3 is unaffected). If Party B continues to create the Work after meeting the expected word count as stipulated in Clause 2.3, Party A has the right to complete the Work independently or designate a third party to complete the Work. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the part of the Work created by Party A itself or by a third party belongs to Party A, and Party A need not pay Party B any remuneration for such part.
(PER 2.5, this is where it starts. It is understood that this is a contract but the snowball starts to roll from here. Once the "Work" has reach the a word count (minimum or maximum) per the contract, webnovel can drop you without any regard to your story which you worked hard on, with or without an ending in place. Also given that word count requirement is a minimum and maximum range, your story is plotted to end with the maximum word count but they told you to stop with the minimum word count and they take over. You can't work on your novel anymore and expect payment. You basically become a fanfic writer of your own work now as you have no copyright over it. You need to ask their permission to continue.)
2.6 For the avoidance of doubt, Party A has the full right to create independently, or designate a third party to create, other works incorporating elements of the Work (such as creating sequels, prequels, continuations, expansions or to peers works) based on the characters, plots, props, concepts and backgrounds of the Work; the copyright to such New Works shall exclusively belong to Party A, and Party A may deal with such New Works as it wishes without any permission from Party B.
(PER 2.6 This will clear up any misunderstanding that after the contract ends, you essentially become a fanfic writer of your own original work, unless webnovel will approve you to write any part of the series afterwards. Let's move to the next section now)