Product Description

The Literary Law Guide for Authors provides essential information about copyright and trademark law. The text and illustrations teach authors how to protect their work and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with writing that may expose a writer to legal liability.

This title breaks down complicated boilerplate language most commonly included in publishing contracts and analyzes the clauses from the author's perspective.

The Literary Law Guide for Authors includes valuable forms commonly used by authors, including forms to register copyrighted materials and to engage the services of artists and other independent contractors on a work-for-hire basis. Also included is a sample publishing contract form with commentary and a list of references to obtain supplementary information.

The Literary Law Guide for Authors is an indispensable writing tool for all writers. A successful writer is an informed writer who understands the legal advantages, disadvantages, and intricacies involved in the business of writing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #478645 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"Covers every phase of the writing and publishing process . . . with clarity and reader-friendliness. Great tool for every writer." -- Marilyn Ross, cofounder of SPAN and coauthor of Complete Guide to Self-Publishing and Jump Start Your Book Sales

"The most often asked questions I receive from authors involve the publishing contract. Now I direct them to [this book]." -- Max Rodriguez, Publisher/Editor of QBR The Black Book Review

"Timely, well-written, and authoritative . . . I highly recommend this book." -- Dan Poynter, Author of The Self-Publishing Manual

About the Author
Tonya M. Evans, Esquire, also known as Lawyer by day, Poet by night™, is an attorney at the Philadelphia law firm of Evans & Borden Evans, LLC. She practices in the areas of intellectual property (copyright, trademark, licensing), entertainment law (publishing, music), and estate planning (wills, trusts). Tonya and her law partner, Susan Borden Evans, who is also her mother, have developed a professional niche within the publishing industry, representing authors in the review and negotiation of publishing and subsidiary rights deals, and educating authors through seminars and workshops on self-publishing and literary law.

Tonya received a B.S. in communication studies from Northwestern University, which she attended on a full four-year tennis scholarship. Thereafter, she played on the women’s professional tennis tour for four years, competing most notably at the U.S. Open and Virginia Slims of Philadelphia in 1993.

In 1995, Tonya attended Howard University School of Law. She served as editor-in-chief of the Howard Law Journal and graduated with honors in 1998. She served as law clerk to Judge Theodore McKee in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and worked at large law firms before joining practice with her mother. Tonya is a member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Third Circuit Bars.

Tonya lectures across the country on copyright and trademark law, and on self-publishing and successful negotiations in the publishing industry. She has also contributed to Black Issues Book Review and QBR: The Black Book Review. In addition, she is an accomplished poet, performer, and writer. Her books include And Then One Day She Knew, Seasons of Her, and SHINE!

Susan Borden Evans, Esquire, received her B.S. from Howard University, with a major in chemistry and a minor in related sciences, and her M.Ed. and J.D. from Temple University. Susan is an intellectual property attorney in the Philadelphia firm of Evans & Borden Evans, LLC. She concentrates her practice in patent and trademark prosecution, and contract review and negotiation. Susan has successfully negotiated publishing agreements and licensing and sub-licensing agreements, and she has prosecuted hundreds of patent applications.

She is a former chairperson of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a former president of the Barristers Association of Philadelphia. Susan lectures regularly across the country on aspects of intellectual property and publishing law, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and the Patent Bar.

Customer Reviews

A NECESSARY RESOURCE FOR ALL WRITERS
The LITERARY LAW GUIDE FOR AUTHORS provides necessary information for all writers, both published and unpublished. The mysteries surrounding copyright, trademark, and contracts are explained in clear language absent the usual legalese that is normally predominant in this arena. Tonya Marie Evans and Susan Borden Evans give insight and debunk myths and misconceptions that have become legendary in the literary community. One of the most notable myths that is explained is the "Poorman's Copyright" that has grown into folklore among the novice writer community. The authors drive home the point that the only
true way to protect your work is to register it with the U.S. Copyright Office.

The authors utilize a number of techniques often used in textbooks to illustrate their points. They highlight common myths, frequently asked questions, checklists and a number of other strategies designed to inform in an easy manner. The book also comes equipped with a CD-ROM which has sample forms, contracts, and instructions that provide a visual to topics which are discussed in the text.

Tonya Marie Evans and Susan Borden Evans provide insight and explanation in areas that are necessary for authors. This is an invaluable tool which serves as an introduction to the legal side of the business of writing.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD)
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Insightful and Effective
Insightful and Effective would be the best two words to describe the advantages of this book. This book lays out literary law in a non-complex way that is very easy to grasp. Dangerous publishing coups could be avoided by implementing all of the book's stratagies when applicable. The details about electronic rights has really enabled me to see the full value of my children's books. Since reading the book, I surveyed many author friends of mine who unbeknownst to them, had signed away valuable electronic rights that their publisher stand to make a bundle on. Also, being told the vast difference between copyrights and trademarks saved me a lot of money that I would have spent needelessly on protecting my products when in fact I had already taken the proper steps. This book takes the paranoia out of negotiating with publishers and has taught me the precious lesson of knowing that everything is truly negotiable, especially when it's your property at stake. I tell everyone I meet about this book.

Literary Law Guide For Authors
This book is extremely informative and insightful. As a lay person, I found the information to be in everyday language, written with clarity and provides all of the information I need. I took a copy along with me to my printer as I preparing to have my logo trademarked, and he was surprised at what he learned, and now he's going to purchase a copy for ready reference. As I progress with my own projects I expect to have a very tattered, and well used book on my hands. Thanks for this guide.