If you’re going to embark on the indie publishing path, you should know there are some pitfalls ahead. Oh, yes, you’re going to need to learn how to do covers, and how to format so normal human beings can read your stuff, and even, maybe, how to write a decent blurb. Fortunately WMG publishing has workshops for all that. Unfortunately, they cost money, but sometimes – trust me – it’s worth spending the money to learn how to do things properly. I (Sarah) am in hiatus in workshops right now, due to various strains on our budget (called kids in college, and a move in the offing) but I intend to go back as soon as cash permits.
Another place where it might be worth to spend some money is legal advice.
I know, I know. You’ve led a blameless life and stayed away from lawyers for all of it, and now I, whom you trust, am telling you that you must consort with the terrible creatures.
Look, lawyers can be on your side. If I’d known what was good for me – I didn’t – five years ago, I’d have got an IP lawyer to look over contracts my agent told me were just fine. (They weren’t. Which is why at least one of my properties is still tied up.)
In fact, given how ridiculous and vicious traditional publishing contracts have gotten, and how “industry practice” has become a pit of snakes, I would not advise that any of you sign a traditional contract without having it looked over by an IP lawyer.
But even if you’re indie there are things you should know (and do) about copyright and law. For instance, be aware that everything from fonts to that neat picture you found on the web is copyrighted, and unless it’s under a creative commons license, you can get in trouble for using it. Heck, you can get in trouble for using creative commons license material, if they are not released for commercial use. (And a lot of them aren’t.)
And should you decide to become a small publisher, particularly on the right (because we need to hold ourselves to a tighter standard, or we’ll be pilloried by the official organs of opinion) DO get an author/indie friendly IP lawyer to look over your contract. What you think is necessary to protect you likely isn’t, and you might end up looking like a shark when you aren’t.
My IP lawyer – who helped me get back my copyrights after years of trying and not even getting an answer – is Robin Roberts of Roberts and Roberts, who has some articles on copyright on his website.
There are other resources on line. Most notable among them is The Passive Voice, whose blog often analyzes predatory contracts and supports indie writers in general.
Remember, tell all your writer friends to send the AUTHOR, TITLE, a SHORT BLURB, and an AMAZON LINK AMAZON LINK AMAZON LINK to [email protected] to be plugged here on PJ Media.
TITLE
My Book
AUTHOR
My name as it’s on the book cover.
AMAZON LINK
http://www.amazon.com/My-Book-By-Me/dp/B00ABCDEFG/
BLURB
no more than about 100 words.
Witchfinger
By Sarah A. Hoyt
In Avalon, where the world runs on magic, the king of Britannia appoints a witchfinder to rescue unfortunates with magical power from lands where magic is a capital crime. Or he did. But after the royal princess was kidnapped from her cradle twenty years ago, all travel to other universes has been forbidden, and the position of witchfinder abolished. Seraphim Ainsling, Duke of Darkwater, son of the last witchfinder, breaks the edict. He can’t simply let people die for lack of rescue. His stubborn compassion will bring him trouble and disgrace, turmoil and danger — and maybe, just maybe, the greatest reward of all.
Vengeance from Ashes
By Sam Schall
First, they took away her command. Then they took away her freedom. But they couldn’t take away her duty and honor. Now they want her back.
Captain Ashlyn Shaw has survived two years in a brutal military prison. Now those who betrayed her are offering the chance for freedom. All she has to do is trust them not to betray her and her people again. If she can do that, and if she can survive the war that looms on the horizon, she can reclaim her life and get the vengeance she’s dreamed of for so long.
But only if she can forget the betrayal and do her duty.
Memories of the Abyss
By Cedar Sanderson
Violet is trapped in the prison of her own mind. Her body is dwelling in the insane asylum, but when her friend Walter is killed, she must make a decision to avenge his death, or stay safely locked in her own broken soul. He’d drawn her out of her shell, and she finds she still has honor left… But will anyone believe the crazy woman?
(Note: This will be free from May 12 through May 17.)
Chasing the Last Whale
By Thomas Wictor
From music journalist Thomas Wictor comes a novel about dysfunction and redemption, packed with pathos and despair. The meat of the novel addresses questions of mortality, bullying, broken trusts, and war…an engaging story.”
—Clarion Book Reviews
Hallucinabulia: the Dream Diary of an Unintended Solitarian
By Thomas Wictor
“Literary self-mutilation has never been so rewarding.”
—Stephen Jay, “Weird Al” Yankovic Band
Baptism by Fire
By David E. Pascoe
When a rune-carved madman and a giant flaming thing attack James Lawrie’s Marine outpost, the medic and an explosively talented sergeant aren’t supposed to save the day. Life becomes no simpler when Petty Officer Lawrie returns home on leave to find federal agents investigating the disappearance of a young woman from his past. A young woman whose body turns up marked with eerily familiar symbols.
An Unproven Concept (Kraken Edition) (The Vergassy Chronicles)
By James Young
“If you like Star Trek or hard science fiction that focuses on elements that make the experience realistic, you’d probably be fascinated with Young’s Unproven Concept.” Jake Vyper, Epicstream.com
The Confederation of Man has overseen the prosperous expansion of humanity for almost eight centuries, with the Confederation Fleet its shield against all enemies both internal and external. Despite its numerous successes, the Fleet is a shield that is becoming warped by the schism between its Carrier and Line factions. In the year 3050, Fleet Admiral Malinverni has overseen the design and commissioning of a vessel intended to merge the best of both factions: the battlecruiser Constitution. Intended as a harbinger of a better future, the Constitution is considered a flawed concept by all except her crew.
The starliner Titanic is considered to be the epitome of her type. With a handpicked crew, the Titanic is expected to see to passengers’ every need and whim, be it a rare artifact of opulence to stringent, discreet security. Unfortunately Captain Abraham Herrod, her master, is confronted with the growing likelihood that his vessel may soon be rendered obsolete by the ever pressing march of technology.
At the convergence of these two ships lies aliens, mecha, railguns, and carnage. An Unproven Concept (Kraken Edition) contains all the unremitting action of the original, as well as the short story “Ride of the Late Rain.”
“Overall, if you like hardcore space battles with high body counts, definitely give this novel a shot!”–Right Fans: Sci-Fi from the other Side Website
Kaiju Apocalypse (novella)
By Eric S. Brown & Jason Cordova
The oceans rose and from their depths the Kaiju came. Mankind survives in fortified, domed cities, fighting what seems an eternal war with the giant monsters and the smaller creatures they use as foot-soldiers. Now that war is coming to an end as one by one the city states of humanity fall to the Kaiju. Kaiju Apocalypse is the tale of the human race’s desperate, final stand.
A Difficult Damsel to Rescue
By T.K. Naliaka
High-speed young police officer Enrique Vargas fell for Chlotilde Decatur at first sight, but courting one of the out-of-Africa Decaturs is like grabbing a lion by the mane. Saving her brother’s life got his foot in the door, but Enrique has no inkling just where and how far this unexpectedly perilous romance is going to take him and Chloe as long-lurking dangers stalk both their families. Vargas is going to need all his SWAT skills and new alliances sealed in blood to keep the woman of his dreams from disappearing forever.
The sequel to In Time of Peril in The Decaturs adventure series, inspired by the noblest sort of men and families like Louis L’Amour’s Sacketts.
Watch this weekend for free downloads.
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