A scenario that many top authors have successfully employed is hiring both an agent and a lawyer who is a literary and publishing specialist. The agents sell the authors' books, serve as their literary advisors and manage their writing careers, and the lawyers handle their publishing contracts. Here is some advice on working with a publishing attorney or specialist:
Publishing attorneys, like literary agents, are specialists. Don't use a friend or a relative to negotiate your book contract; find a specialist, because otherwise, the negotiation could go badly. Some other guidelines to follow:
§ If you hire an entertainment or copyright attorney, make sure that he or she has experience in representing authors and books. Ask what percentage of his or her practice is devoted to books and authors.
§ Chose someone with an intimate knowledge of publishing. Publishing contracts are traps for unwary lawyers as well as unsuspecting authors.
Publishing attorneys tend to be clustered in major cities and their services can be expensive. Attorneys generally charge on an hourly basis, not on a percentage of what you make. Rates typically range from $250 to $450 or more. If you don't have an agent but have been offered a book contract, it makes sense to have an attorney negotiate the sale of rights on an hourly basis or for a percentage that is less than 15 percent.
Although attorneys' hourly rates can be steep, they will usually cost you far less than what you would pay an agent over the life of your book. Here's the math: 15 percent of $15,000 (a typical advance for a midlist book) is $2,250, about twice what many attorneys will charge for a full contract review and a comment letter.
When authors who have businesses write books, they are often extensions of their business. They should think about being represented by an attorney because legal issues can arise that go beyond the territory agents usually cover.
For example, if the title of the book is tied to the author's branding strategy, the author needs to be able to approve the book's ultimate title. Unless you negotiate for title approval, the publisher, not the author, has the sole right to select or change the title.
"In these situations, you're talking about brand extension," attorney Jassin advises. "Sometimes it's not about the book, it's about the author's nine-to-five career. So, you may be negotiating something more than just a book contract."
Before signing a book contract, your attorney should explain the:
§ Grant of rights clause;
§ Option and right of first refusal;
§ Publisher's duty to publish;
§ Reversion of rights clause;
§ Noncompetition provision;
§ and, Postcontract liability.
Some agents are both agents and attorneys. So with agent/attorneys, you can have the best of both worlds.
In most dealings with traditional publishers, an agent is usually preferable to an attorney who does not specialize in literary and publishing law. If you decide to hire an attorney, hire one who has experience in literary and publishing law and performing the precise type of work you want him or her to handle.
Personal note: I use a great literary attorney names Lloyd Jassin http://www.copylaw.com
His e mail is copylaw@aol.com
Meet Lloyd at the Publishing Day Workshop on September 8th)
More Publishing resources at
more at http://www.author101.com
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( 3 / 290 )Publicity opportunity for you!
Would you like to get written-up in top national
publications like Newsweek, People magazine, Health,
Time magazine or the New York Times?
Want to be interviewed on top TV shows like Today Show,
CNN, MSNBC, ABC's The View, Montel and Fox News?
I'm writing today about a unique chance to get more
publicity in America's biggest media outlets.
My friend Steve Harrison is sponsoring the National
Publicity Summit, October 24-27th in New York City,
a unique conference where you get to personally meet
over 100 top journalists and producers and pitch your
story to them face-to-face.
If you want more major publicity, I strongly encourage
to at least get the info by going here now:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10065
At Steve's Summit, you'll have face-to-face meetings
with journalists and producers from top national TV
shows like ABC's The View, CBS' 48 Hours, MSNBC, CNN,
Fox News Channel, Montel, Fox & Friends and Live with
Regis & Kelly.
You'll also personally meet writers who do stories for
big-time print media like People magazine, Woman's Day,
Alternative Medicine, Good Housekeeping, New York Times,
Parents, Family Circle, INC., Time magazine and many
other top publications.
To get all the details, go here now:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10065
As a long-time PR person, I can tell you having a
face-to-face meeting with an editor or producer
dramatically increases the chances they'll
write about you -- or put you on their show.
One previous Summit attendee was interviewed on
Fox News Channel within just five hours of meeting
the producer at the Summit!
I will be speaking at the Summit and hope to see you there!
Again, for info on attending go to:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10065
Steve is only allowing 100 people to attend to ensure
everyone gets enough one-on-one time with the media.
++++++++++
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( 3 / 306 )Would you like to be a guest on a top national TV show like Oprah, Good
Morning America, Today Show or Fox News Channel?
Of course you would because there are few faster ways to instantly reach
millions of people and boost your sales than getting big-time TV publicity.
In the publishing world, it's no secret the right national TV appearance can
catapult a book to the top of the Bestseller List.
Curious to know how YOU might get on national TV?
Find out on a free 90-minute telephone seminar this Thursday, July 26th at
your choice of two times hosted by my friend Steve Harrison, publisher of
Radio-TV Interview Report (RTIR) on ....
"The Three Big Secrets for
Getting Booked as a Guest
on Top National TV Shows"
In addition to Steve, you'll hear from a former Oprah guest booker and other
veteran TV producers.
Together they'll teach you things unknown to 95% of all publicity-seekers.
To register for this call -- which is free except for your normal long
distance charges -- go here now:
http://www.FreePublicity.com/tvcall/?10065
On the call, you'll learn things like:
* How to increase your odds of getting on Oprah, Fox News, CNN, Today Show,
Montel and other top shows.
* Understanding the mindset of national TV producers and what gets them to
book you as a guest.
* The strategy a husband-and-wife team used to land a 7-minute segment on
the Today Show.
* What you should send TV producers (and what you shouldn't).
* An important lesson from one author who got on Oprah and saw sales soar as
a result.
* The most important question you must be able to answer to land a TV
appearance.
* The biggest mistakes to avoid when pitching TV producers (including ones
that could get you black-balled forever!).
* Case histories of four other authors and entrepreneurs and the strategies
they used to get on top TV shows.
Again, to register go here now:
http://
Once registered, you'll receive all the details back within five minutes.
Who knows ... maybe we'll be seeing you on national TV very soon!
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( 3 / 338 )About Publicity…
By Rick Frishman -
Publicity is the art of creating favorable interest in your book. It’s getting the word out, informing the public about your book and drumming up interest in it. It’s telling the world:
That your book is available,
What it’s about,
Why it’s important, and
The specific benefits it will provide.
Publicity differs from advertising. In advertising, you pay media outlets to run your message. You write the message you want the public to receive and you pay publications, stations, Web sites, and other outlets to deliver it. According to the old adage, “With advertising, you pay for it; with publicity, you pray for it.”
In publicity, your message is delivered through the media and through channels such as your networks and your contacts’ networks. In contrast to advertising, you don’t pay the media to deliver your message, but convince it to deliver it in its articles, reviews, and programs. The media may deliver the exact message you provide, or write or present information about your book in its own words, style, or format.
Publicity is effective because the public tends think of information it gets from the media as news. So, it gives publicity more credence than advertising does, which the public knows is bought and paid for by advertisers. Advertising is perceived as being big on hype and short on truth, while information provided by the media is generally accepted as true.
In comparison with advertising, publicity:
Is less expensive
Provides wider exposure
Has greater credibility because, unlike advertising, people usually consider the information provided to be news
Tells your story in greater depth, which is ideal for creating interest in your book
Rick Says
To be successful, all books need publicity. Readers are swamped with books. According to estimates, 195,000 books were published in 2004, which breaks down to several new titles being issued each minute. That’s an awful lot of books competing for booksellers’ shelves and readers’ attention. Plus, books face stiff competition from movies, television, newspapers, magazines, sports, the Internet, games, and more.
Publicity is the most effective way to single out your book for recognition and to build its identity and visibility. In publishing, they refer to “breaking a book out,” which means getting it noticed so that it can emerge from a sea of competitors. Publicity is the best way to break your book out and to create name recognition, interest, and sales. Through the wonders of publicity, weak books have been built into huge successes, and great books that lacked publicity have not been widely read.
go to http://www.rickfrishman.com for more information and to get your million dollar rolodex
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( 3 / 334 )3 day magical seminar
all new speakers and material
check it out
Mega Book University 2007
http://www.markvictorhansen.com/cmd.php?Clk=1886799.
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