Writers and Editors

When someone asks if she can reprint a biography of her long-dead relative first published (probably self-published) in 1960. Among other things, the underlying question is, How long does copyright protection last? One person suggested "life plus fifty years," which used to be true but no longer is

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An editor at Storey Books understands how special getting the first copy of her book is to an author. "Editor Gwen Steege made sure this copy got shipped to me as soon as possible, prepared like the treat that it is," writes Deb Robson's in her photo-essay 3 pounds 10 ounces (1.6 kg). Think of the book* as a  Read More 

Darn: These essays all seem to be offline now. Authors: If you want them posted again, let me know. Maybe I can post them here. Talking Writing: Why aren't they up anymore? Your back issues don't seem to reach back to April 2011.

How much is too much truth? And whose truth is it to reveal? Those are two of many questions addressed in a fascinating issue about the ethics of memoir writing in a wonderful online magazine, Talking Writing. Can we trust ourselves to tell our stories truthfully? asks the editor. How far can we carry the fine art of  Read More 

TweetDigging for experts to guide us in the new worlds of self- and indie publishing I belatedly discovered some excellent resources. First, you can listen online to podcasts of three excellent panels on self-publishing presented at the Commonwealth Club of California in 2010:

Tutorials from the Trenches: 1. Options, Directions and Resources. What does it take to publish a book, Read More