Rights 101

Posted by Dan Steven on Sep 17, 2003

Everyone talks about them, but few really understand.  What are the “rights” you sell to a magazine or a publisher? First, let’s review the basics.  You already should know that the author of an original work owns its copyright the instant it is “fixed” on paper, disk, video, photograph or other tangible medium (unless it was “work for hire,” see below).  Registration of the copyright with the...

A Self-Publishing Primer

Posted by Dan Steven on Mar 17, 2002

(Author’s Note:  this post, first published in 2002, has become somewhat outdated because of the phenomenal rise of e-books.  However, much of it still is useful)  Self-publishing is hot.  Compared to traditional publishing, your book can be in print faster, you’ll have more control, complete ownership, and you won’t have to share revenue.  Even authors who have been successful with...

Copyright Basics

Posted by Dan Steven on Feb 17, 2002

What Is Copyright? Copyright is a form of protection given to the authors of original works, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Copyright protection is provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) and most other countries, and is available both to published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act...