The Writer's Guide to Copyright, Contract and Law: How to Enjoy Your Rights as an Author and Comply with Your Obligations [Paperback]

'Clear, no-nonsense style - no jargon or waffle - just sound common sense advice.' Alison Chisholm, BBC Radio Merseyside 'Utterly invaluable - an absolute MUST for anyone putting pen to paper for publication.' A UK reader. 'Worth a fortune to any writer. Invaluable help.' Jayne Dawson, Writer, Journalist and Features Editor, Yorkshire Evening Post. 'This book is a must for any author's library.' The Woman Writer.

The law is of great significance to you as a writer. It can work to your advantage or to your disadvantage; it can help you or hinder you. The best way to ensure that you get the most out of the law is to know it. With this book you will learn what rights you have as a writer and how to enjoy them; and what obligations you have and how to comply with them. You will discover how to avoid legal pitfalls; and, in the event that you find yourself in a legal entanglement, how best to remedy the situation. Specifically, this book will show you; * What copyright is and how the law protects an owner * How to preserve your copyright and avoid infringing that of others * How to avoid libellous writing and defend yourself from legal action should the need arise * What is required for a binding contract, and how to enter into and get out of one with your publisher * What are the usual basic clauses of a publishing contract, with examples * How to understand advances, royalties and rights * How to deal with your literary estate * What other legal issues may arise and how to manage them With the help of this book you will become confident in your knowledge of the law as it applies to you - before, during and after publication.

This new edition expands especially on publishing contracts, self-publishing and e-books. These are vitally important in recessionary times, when unwary writes can be exploited instead of earning all they can from their work. The book, now in print over ten years, has become an authority for legal issues affecting writers, including:
* Maximising the value of copyright
* Getting paid
* Avoiding libel
* Understanding data protection, privacy rights etc
* Safeguarding electronic rights
* Protecting against plagiarism
* Sorting out literary estates
* Dealing with agents and publishers
* Negotiating and entering a contract (and getting out of one when you need to).

It includes practical case studies, based on real writers' experiences. It will assist both new and established writers, including:
* Fiction writers
* Journalists
* Dramatists
* Novelists
* Poets
* Biographers
* Freelancers
* Self-publishers
* Writing groups
* Co-authors

Out to save you money, hassle and the `see you in court' scenario!

HELEN SHAY is a solicitor who currently works as in-house lawyer with a major university and has also tutored in business law. She is a published writer of fiction and non-fiction and is a member of the Society of Authors (serving on their Authors North committee). She is also a member of Script Yorkshire and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.