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Contracts and Legal Considerations
Fair Use Rights 101 for Writers: To Use or Not to Use? That is the Question
You might have bumped into the term fair use—what does it mean? And how does it effect writers? Here, literary agent and publishing attorney Joseph Perry has the answers.
The Lowdown on Libel: Understanding What Libel Means for Writers
When contemplating whether to pen something potentially controversial, your best defense is knowing when your work is protected and when it crosses the line. While libel laws vary from state to state, there are general principles you can rely upon.
Do You Really Need Life Rights?
Doug Richardson, writer of Die Hard 2, Bad Boys and Hostage, shares advice on whether you need to get the life rights before you start that screenplay.
From Proposal to Contract in Under a Week
For several years I labored in the agent fields, trying to harvest one for my book on helping doctoral candidates finish their dissertations. My approach, I was sure, was new, based on my longtime practice of coaching doctoral students and editing their dissertation drafts.
Can You Copyright an Idea?
Learn the copyright rules you need to know to protect your idea from copyright infringement.
Book Contract: What's Negotiable and What's Not
Here's a list of everything you should ask about when negotiating a book publishing contract, including royalty vs. flat fees, second use rights, and more.
What Writers Need to Know About Copyrights (FAQs)
We're writers, not legal experts—and yet, every time we put words down on paper a number of legal questions arise. How do I copyright my work? Do I need to? Am I allowed to quotes song lyrics? Can I use someone else's character in my book? And that's just the tip of the pencil. Here I've collected a writer's set of FAQs about legal issues that will help you navigate the basics.