Contracts and Legal Considerations

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn the copyright rules you need to know to protect your idea from copyright infringement.

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.