How to Negotiate Rights from Uruguay: Practical Tips for Illustrators and Comic Book Artists

Uruguay XXI supports national creators through training, internationalization, and access to global circuits where Uruguayan illustration and comics are gaining sustained visibility. In this context, Omaira Rodríguez—Creative Industries Specialist at Uruguay XXI—offered participants an overview of how the main marketplaces in the publishing sector work and what opportunities are available to Uruguayan creators.

“Every book is a negotiation in itself,” she said, highlighting the importance of being prepared for events such as the Guadalajara International Book Fair, the Bologna Book Fair, and the Frankfurt Book Fair, where publishers and agents from around the world gather.

Rodríguez explained that although the Uruguayan market is small, the quality of national talent opens doors abroad. “Uruguayan works have been published in Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil. What seems impossible is possible,” she said.

In her presentation, she emphasized the value of preparation: having a professional portfolio, a mock-up ready to present, and an organized schedule of meetings. She also highlighted the importance of awards as platforms for international visibility.

Fairs, Showcases, and Contacts

Rodríguez described how rights halls operate at major international fairs. “It’s eight hours of hustle and bustle, with everyone presenting catalogs and negotiating,” she explained. To have real opportunities, thorough preparation is essential: studying the fair map, defining objectives, and sending requests well in advance. “For 40 meetings, I once sent 500 requests. The agenda is cooked before the trip,” she recalled.

In addition to organization, she stressed the importance of showing up with a professional and up-to-date portfolio, a ready-made mock-up of projects, and even a small creative souvenir—“a sticker with your own character works very well”—to help publishers remember who they met in the crowd. During the fairs, she recommended keeping a meeting log to record what was discussed and later transforming that record into an organized contact database, key to maintaining relationships in the future.

Contracts: The Basics and the Essentials

The specialist devoted part of the talk to reviewing contractual issues that creators should understand even without being lawyers. She explained that the first aspect to negotiate in copyright assignment or license agreements is territory, avoiding overly broad assignments.

She also addressed the issue of term, usually between five and ten years, with seven being the most common. On royalties, she stressed the importance of not settling for just a percentage. “Almost no one pays 10%; the usual is 5% to 7%. And always ask for an advance,” she recommended.

Other key aspects include the visibility of the author on the cover and in the credits, and the guarantee that any modifications respect the moral rights of the work. “The deal is an exchange and must be put in writing, without ambiguity,” Rodríguez remarked, advising against signing a contract if you are not convinced, but always keeping the possibility of renegotiation open.

Practical Advice for Creators

In addition to the broad lines of work, Rodríguez shared other specific recommendations. She advised being cautious of overly broad clauses, unclear sales reports, and unauthorized design changes. She recommended setting limits on commissioned work—both in the number of corrections and in the preparation and delivery of originals—and reserving limited personal use of some illustrations.

She also highlighted the role of awards as a platform for international legitimacy. “An award makes you visible among thousands,” she said.

Beyond contracts and fairs, the talk carried an inspiring message: internationalization is a process of preparation, patience, and constant follow-up, but it is possible. “Every book is a new negotiation. There are no molds,” Rodríguez summarized.

Participation in the Rendez-vous del Cómic workshop is part of Uruguay XXI’s work to support and professionalize national creators, promoting their integration into global circuits where Uruguayan illustration and comics are already opening doors.

In the same spirit, the Maldito Canario collective is committed to training and exchange through workshops at the Alliance Française. Held free of charge on the second Friday of every month, these workshops are designed for both beginners and professionals. The most recent session focused on copyright, a fundamental issue for understanding how to protect and value creative work, reaffirming the importance of sharing useful and accessible information for all.