The Latest Posts

• Media Liability Insurance – Do Authors Need It? April 22, 2018
  Most manuscripts are not contentious enough to land an author in court. Some writers, however, do venture into highly controversial topics (like those found in memoirs or biographies). Or their fiction includes real people or characters based on real people. Or they create stories based on real-life events. For this subset of the writing world, […]
  Matt Knight
• Contests, Sweepstakes, And Giveaways – Is Yours Legally Compliant Or An Illegal Lottery? April 15, 2018
  In the book-marketing world, giveaways are popular among authors, especially when launching a new book. Giveaways are innovative tools for authors to promote awareness, engage readers, locate new readers, collect useful marketing data, and possibly increase earnings potential. Many authors, however, are unaware that giveaways are regulated by various federal and state laws that, if […]
  Matt Knight
• Serialization Rights April 7, 2018
  Over the last few years, serialized books have been a hot topic in the publishing world, whether via an app, author email newsletter or website, online magazine or newspaper, or a hard copy periodical. If you are unfamiliar with serialization rights, book serialization is the publication of an excerpt or several excerpts from a book, […]
  Matt Knight
• The Legal Risks Of Writing Memoirs April 1, 2018
  When it comes to writing memoirs and autobiographies, writers are often leery of being sued. It is a valid concern. Writing about facts and events of our own lives, whether a chronology of an entire life or one specific aspect of it, inevitably requires writing about the private lives of others intertwined in those stories. […]
  Matt Knight
• Negotiating Magazine and Newspaper Publishing Contracts March 24, 2018
  Many writers are keen on publishing in magazines and newspapers. These publications offer the perfect opportunity for name recognition, public exposure for a writer’s creative portfolio, and, depending on the publication, supplemental income. Regardless of the reason, if you want to publish your creative work in magazines or newspapers, whether in print or online, it […]
  Matt Knight
• Happy St. Paddy’s Day March 17, 2018
  My mom, the craft queen, loves to press dried leaves and the occasional four-leaf clover between sheets of wax paper. I always thought she was pressing her luck.  Ba-dum-tshhh! Next week, something of substance — navigating magazine and newspaper publishing contracts.  Until then, keep calm and shamrock on! Photo Credit: Mrs. Knight (aka Mom) Legal […]
  Matt Knight
• Free Speech and Social Media — “There’s one way to love ya, but a thousand ways to kill ya.” March 10, 2018
  Is that dialogue from a thriller I am writing? Nope. Those words were part of Anthony Elonis’ Facebook tirade about murdering his estranged wife. His social media statements, along with other digital vitriol about murdering FBI agents and schoolchildren, landed him in prison. Elonis appealed his conviction all the way to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, […]
  Matt Knight
• Interview Releases — Should You Use One? March 4, 2018
  At some point in our writing careers, a story requires we interview someone. Maybe we need to interview a Navy SEAL, gain a deeper understanding of autistic children, fill-in a few plot facts, or add perspective and objectivity to our story. We write down quotes and opinions, obtain pertinent research information, or receive letters and […]
  Matt Knight
• The Rise Of Graphic Novels February 26, 2018
  Shazam! Superhero movies are all the rage in case you missed it. This massive surge in popularity has translated into a steady increase in the graphic novel market too. Graphic novel sales in 2015 and 2016 had a huge spike, while 2017 saw a slight decrease in adult graphic novels but a continued increase in […]
  Matt Knight
• Happy Chocolate Week! February 16, 2018
  The second best thing about Valentine’s Day – discounted chocolate. I’m waiting in line. See you next week when the choc-spike wears off.   Photo Credit: Pete Wright | Unsplash Legal Disclaimer: Who needs one? It’s chocolate for Pete’s sake! The post Happy Chocolate Week! appeared first on Sidebar Saturdays.
  Matt Knight