Small Press Publishing Contract Checklist: What Authors Should Review Before Signing
For many writers, an offer from a small press feels like validation wrapped in a PDF. The language is friendlier than a Big Five contract. The editor seems accessible. The terms look “standard.” It’s tempting to skim, sign, and celebrate. But publishing contracts aren’t celebratory documents. They are risk-allocation documents. They define who controls your…

A blog where the practice of law meets the profession of writing | Posted weekly by writers who are attorneys | Designed to help fellow writers with questions about publishing law or legal scenarios in their fiction
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Do you have a publishing law question? Or maybe a question about a fictional legal scenario in your manuscript? Ask it here.
What Publishing Contracts Won’t Tell You (Especially Small Press Contracts)
Sidebar Saturdays is back. Version 2.0. Same author. Slightly more opinionated. I took a break from the blog to finish writing a book. The blog went quiet, but publishing law—and…
Crafting The Perfect Copyright Page
As an author, pouring your heart and soul into a manuscript is just the beginning of your journey. Protecting your intellectual property and ensuring proper acknowledgment are crucial steps in…
Writing Podcasts
I love a good podcast. Especially if it’s about writing. Podcasts are a great way to learn, get inspired, and tap into the writing community. If you need a few…
Seven Questions for Finding the Right Hybrid Publisher
Most writers dream of being published by a major traditional publisher and becoming a bestselling author. It can take a while to realize that the number of writers with that…
Artificial Intelligence Generated Work – Copyright Protection and Infringement
As AI technologies evolve, it becomes crucial to understand the nuances of copyright protection and infringement in the context of AI-generated works.
Using Song Lyrics In Fiction
I hear this question often — “Can I use song lyrics in my fiction?” I completely understand. Music provides great inspiration for writers. A few lines from “In Da Club”…







