Above the Dotted Line

Copyright to Contract for Authors and Self-Publishers

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When It Comes to Permissions, Don't Forget to Say "Please"
As a child, one of the first rules I learned was to precede a request with “please.” To my young mind, “please” had magical powers.
Writers for Hire: How to Limit Liability When Your Author Self-Publishes
No writer wants to be sued. But since self-publishing has become so common, writers for hire are particularly vulnerable. And they know it.
Best Selling Authors Contract with Writers for Hire – So Can You!
As an aspiring author, you don’t have to quit your day-job to write the book yourself or jump-start a writing career in order to publish.
Test-Driving Your Final Draft - How to Make Your Work Reader Ready
Once I’ve tucked myself into bed for the night, I often pick up a book. Recently, the one I reached for was by a friend in New York—let’s call her Lucy.
Seven Ways to Find a Literary Attorney
Finding an attorney when you need to prepare or review a writing or publishing contract is not always easy, especially if you live and work outside most major cities.
For Authors and Co-Writers: The Business of Writing “With”
If you have an idea for a book, article, or blog series consider contracting with a professional writer who you pay to perform writing services.
May Versus Shall: In Your Contract, the Difference Matters
There are few authors who wouldn’t correct as many spelling, typographical and grammatical mistakes as possible in their work before placing it in the hands of their readers.
Writing Non-Fiction That Sells? Do Your Book Proposal First!
Recently, an acquaintance of mine finished a six-book non-fiction series of interviews and published it on Amazon. It was a tremendous achievement. He had no plan for selling the books.
Writers! Leave the Legalese to Lawyers
Even educated people in various walks of life cannot read and understand a contract without some legal background. Why?
eBook Publishing: How to Turn a Publisher’s Failure Into Your Opportunity
References to electronic rights, eBooks, digital versions or digital publishing in the grant of primary rights can be minefield for even a contract-savvy author.
What Do You Mean My Book Is Out of Print?
Whether you’re on the traditional or non-traditional path, when you’re offered a publishing contract, you should look at the term of the contract.

For more detailed information about literary contracts, some of my favorite books are –

  • Kirsch’s Guide to the Book Contract by Jonathan Kirsch (Acrobat Books)
  • Negotiating a Book Contract by Mark L. Levine (Asphodel Press)





What Authors and Self-Publishers Need to Know About Copyrights
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Article Topics

  • Book Proposals
  • Co-Writing with a Professional Writer
  • Don't Assume – Get an Attorney
  • eBook Publishing
  • Editing
  • Negotiation Points
  • Permissions
  • When Words Matter
  • Writing for Hire
  • Writing for Hire






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What Authors and Self-Publishers Need to Know About Copyrights
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Contact Denise

(631) 875-6600
dhgibbon@abovethedottedline.com

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Legal Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Copyright © 2014-2023 Above the Dotted Line

Denise Gibbon is a licensed attorney in California and New York. However, this website is not a law firm and any legal advice or services provided by this website’s author are unrelated to this site. This material is for informational purposes only. No information provided here constitutes privileged and confidential legal advice for or to any reader and is not intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. Prior results of legal matters mentioned here do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter.