Susan Spann Copyright law can be confusing for authors, especially when it comes to issues like when (and whether) to register copyright in a manuscript, and what to do if you use a pseudonym. While authors need to understand the basics of copyright, myths and disinformation abound (especially on the Internet). Today, let’s take a look […]

Susan Spann This is the third in a subsidiary rights series. If you missed one of the posts, click to read the first or the second article.  In publishing, “merchandising rights” refers to the right(s) to create, market, and sell merchandise (products) based on a book or its characters and settings. “Jurassic Park” T-shirts and Bertie Botts’ […]

Susan Spann The year is drawing to a close, but our series on anthology contracts is going strong. Today, it’s time to say “show me the money” - and look at some of the different royalty structures in the anthology world. Some anthologies pay the contributors royalties, while others offer a flat fee, and still […]

Susan Spann  In recent months, I’ve seen the resurgence of several terrible publishing “offers” that business-savvy authors should learn to recognize and avoid. Some people might call them “scams” – though these particular “deals” are legal if an author signs them. They remind me of my law school contracts professor’s warning that “you can make […]

Susan Spann Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season to stay off the copyright “naughty list,” so I’m here to share a few #PubLaw tips for avoiding copyright infringement in your holiday blogging and social media celebrations! When celebrating online this holiday season, keep these helpful rules in mind: SONGS (AND LYRICS) ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT At […]