Many authors labor under the misconception that copyright law exists because they have a natural, God-given right to control their artistic product. Not so. Copyright serves not the author but rather the broader culture. The …
Earlier this month, two writers asked for a description of criminal trial procedures. Below is an overview of the trial stages from Bail to Sentencing. While states and the federal government follow a standard set of procedures, …
Whether writing fiction or memoirs, we writers are constantly encouraged by the literary community to mine our own experiences, relationships, and observations for writing material. As I write this post, the old adage “write what …
Defamation? It’s the truth, I SWEAR! — How to Avoid Libel in Fiction Read More
Sidebar Saturdays contributor Jonathan F. Putnam’s debut novel, These Honored Dead, published today (August 9th, 2016). It’s a historical legal mystery starring the young Abraham Lincoln and his real-life best friend Joshua Speed. As …
Publishing Update — These Honored Dead by Jonathan F. Putnam Read More
The creative spark for my third novel – LOSING FAITH – was a line from the Coldplay song Viva la Vida. I wanted to use it as the epigraph for the book, following my junior …
USING SONG LYRICS IN YOUR NOVEL (Spoiler Alert: You probably have to pay for it) Read More
