The Latest Posts

• Negotiating Magazine and Newspaper Publishing Contracts October 24, 2020
  Many writers are keen to publish in magazines and newspapers, whether online or in print. 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, it is in your best interest to secure a written publishing contract before […]
  Matt Knight
• Using Stock Photos On Book Covers October 10, 2020
  Book covers are created using either custom or stock photography. Custom photography is created by a hired photographer to create something unique for your exclusive use. Stock photography, on the other hand, is photos that more than one person can use simultaneously for a wide variety of projects like book covers. Using stock photos to […]
  Matt Knight
• Traditional And Self-Publishing Contracts – When To Say, NO! September 26, 2020
  When I was at ThrillerFest two years ago (a writing conference in NYC for, you guessed it, thriller writers), I moderated a panel on negotiating publishing contracts. The panel consisted of two agents, two publishing lawyers, and two authors. One question from that discussion revolved around when should a writer walk away from a publishing […]
  Matt Knight
• 9 Major Deal Points In Publishing Contracts August 30, 2020
  You finished your book. You found an agent. You have a publisher who wants to buy the rights to publish your book. Congratulations! Now what? It is time to negotiate your publishing contract. “But isn’t that my agent’s job?” you say. Well, yes. It is. However, you sign the contract. This means you are legally obligated to […]
  Matt Knight
• When Research Meets FOIA Requests August 15, 2020
  If you’re writing true crime or memoir, fiction loosely based on true events or digging into a hot newsworthy topic, sometimes our research leads us to information or records from state and federal government agencies. Often this type of information isn’t readily accessible. If this is you and you’re unsure how to obtain necessary government […]
  Matt Knight
• Legal Services for Writers: Where’s my lawyer? August 1, 2020
  As much as we attempt to avoid legal issues in our writing careers, there are times when consulting a publishing lawyer is a necessity. Maybe you are a victim of a publishing scam or accused of defamation. Maybe you need advice on a publishing contract or your manuscript vetted for legal risks prior to publication. […]
  Matt Knight
• 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