“Industry Standard” Provisions
Q. What is meant by “industry standard” provisions in publishing agreements? B. One of the greatest annoyances for publishing attorneys and literary agents is encountering authors, or their representatives, unfamiliar with standard terms of publishing agreements. The most exasperating occur when the author is being advised by a “contracts attorney” who may know a lot about contract law but knows...
Read MoreIs It Better to Remarry or Just Live Together?
Finding love later in life may be unexpected and exciting, but should it lead to marriage? The considerations are much different for an older couple with adult children and retirement plans than for a young couple just starting out. Before deciding whether to get married or just live together, you need to look at your estate plan, your Social Security benefits, and your potential long-term care...
Read MoreCopyright Registration Before Submissions
Q. Should I register copyright in my manuscript before submitting to an agent, editor, or publisher? A. First, a refresher. Copyright registration is NOT necessary to obtain copyright protection in the United States, but it is a prerequisite to the filing of a copyright infringement suit. If registration is made within three months after first publication of the work or before an...
Read More5 Things to Know to Reduce Your Tax on Capital Gains
Although it is often said that nothing is certain except death and taxes, the one tax you may be able to avoid or minimize most through planning is the tax on capital gains. Here’s what you need to know to do such planning: What is capital gain? Capital gain is the difference between the “basis” in property — usually real estate or stocks, but also including artwork and...
Read MoreCopyright Notices
All About Copyright Notices New publishers and self-published authors often have questions about a seemingly simple task: drafting the copyright notice. Copyright, of course, is a form of protection provided by U.S. and international law to owners of “original works of authorship.” Most writers (and readers) are aware a copyright notice bestows important intellectual property rights upon the...
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