So You Want To Be In Pictures? It’s every writer’s fantasy — Hollywood buys your story and before you know it, you’re watching your name roll down the credits of a summer blockbuster. Likely? Of course not. Nevertheless, the chances of your work being considered for film or television might be greater than you think … Continue reading The Reel Deal
Myth #1: “To obtain a copyright on my work, I have to register it.” Actually, copyright is automatic when a work is created and fixed in a copy or recorded for the first time (the instant you lift pen from paper, or your word processing software saves to disk). Registration is not required to qualify … Continue reading Top 10 Copyright Myths
Everyone talks about them, but few really understand. What are the “rights” you sell to a magazine or a publisher? First, let’s review the basics. You already should know that the author of an original work owns its copyright the instant it is “fixed” on paper, disk, video, photograph or other tangible medium (unless it was “work … Continue reading Rights 101
(Author’s Note: this post, first published in 2002, has become somewhat outdated because of the phenomenal rise of e-books. However, much of it still is useful) Self-publishing is hot. Compared to traditional publishing, your book can be in print faster, you’ll have more control, complete ownership, and you won’t have to share revenue. Even authors who have … Continue reading A Self-Publishing Primer