The Latest Posts

• Books to Film: The Option Versus The Shopping Agreement July 12, 2020
  Most writers dream about their book becoming a movie. It’s exciting to think about seeing our creative endeavors on the big screen or television. Plus, who doesn’t like receiving more money? But adapting a book into a movie is a complicated process. Film and TV producers must corral numerous financial, creative, and business components (one […]
  Matt Knight
• Trademarks and the Writer’s Brand Strategy June 28, 2020
  Trademarks are one of the most valuable business assets for creating recognition in the market place. Think of Coke, IBM, and FedEx. For writers wanting to build a brand, trademarks should be part of your brand strategy. Trademarks can help grow an author’s audience through brand recognition and prevent unauthorized use by others hoping to […]
  Matt Knight
• Parody, Satire, and Fan Fiction: What’s the difference? June 14, 2020
  Parody, satire, and fan fiction are terms often confused and misused in the writing spheres. But when it comes to copyright law, these three forms of creative expression are treated quite differently. Understanding the differences is crucial to determine if your parody, satire, or fan fiction work infringes someone’s copyright or is protected under the […]
  Matt Knight
• Young Readers and COPPA Compliance May 24, 2020
  If you are an author of children’s literature (especially middle-grade fiction) or your work targets young readers, then make sure your marketing efforts are COPPA compliant.   What is COPPA? COPPA is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13. COPPA helps parents maintain control over […]
  Matt Knight
• Publishing Update — The Writer’s Legal GPS: A guide for navigating the legal landscape of publishing May 23, 2020
  Psst! Hey great writing peeps. Look over here. Sidebar Saturdays contributor and founder Matt Knight launched a legal guide for writers. The Writer’s Legal GPS is an essential tool for writers, agents, editors, and publishers who want to understand the legal risks and rights associated with publishing. This comprehensive desktop reference is packed with clear […]
  Matt Knight
• Creative Collaborations: What to consider in joint venture agreements May 9, 2020
  “I’ve got a really great story for you to write.” Writers hear that line often, especially if they have reached some level of success as an author. It could be a celebrity who wants to publish a memoir but has not the time or inclination to write it. Or maybe it is an acquaintance with […]
  Matt Knight
• Using Letters in Creative Work — What Writers Should Know About Copyright Protection April 18, 2020
  The COVID-19 quarantine is a great opportunity to clean out closets and attics. For writers, rummaging through yesterdays can generate new ideas for creative projects—like using that stack of steamy love letters from an ex-boyfriend. Or maybe a few nasty grams from an irate neighbor over the pruning of a tree. Whatever the source, when […]
  Matt Knight
• Bankrupt Publishers – What’s an author to do? March 28, 2020
  Crazy times. Crazy situations. Hopefully you and your family are COVID-19 free, and your sanity is still intact. One blessing from a forced hunker-in-the-bunker reality is that I’m writing a ton. On the flip-side, the COVID-19 recession has caused such economic upheaval that, from an author’s perspective, could mean bankrupt publishers. Most publishing agreements contain […]
  Matt Knight
• Legal Challenges Of Writing Unauthorized Biographies February 29, 2020
  Biographies are grouped into two categories: biographies written with the subject’s permission and cooperation, aka authorized biographies, and biographies written without the subject’s permission and cooperation, aka known as unauthorized biographies.  The former tends to suggest a puffy publicity piece. The later tends to suggest a forbidden sense of controversy, like a “kiss and tell” […]
  Matt Knight
• Happy Valentine’s Weekend! February 14, 2020
  You’re one in a million. Toasting to you…with wine (because who wants to keep things bottled up). See you next week for a discussion about the legal challenges of writing unauthorized biographies.   Photo Credit: Visualhunt.com | CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication Legal Disclaimer:  Okay, okay. We can skip the disclaimer, but just […]
  Matt Knight