AuthorPlanet

A sweet spot between traditional and self-publishing

  • Home
  • Book Proposals/Buy
  • About
    • Jody Rein
    • Author Planet
    • Praise
  • Work
    • Praise
    • Services List
    • Case Studies
    • Client Forms
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Get Quote

Helen Sedwick on Seven Common (and Avoidable) Copyright Mistakes

October 1, 2014 By Jody Rein Leave a Comment

 

Photo in jacket.original

Thanks to copyright expert attorney Helen Sedwick for this key information about copyright for authors.

 While speaking at a recent conference I asked the audience if anyone used song lyrics in their manuscripts. A third of the writers raised their hands. After all, well-placed lyrics create setting. A crooning Frank Sinatra places readers in a war-time romance, while a droning Jim Morrison transports them to a smoky love-in. When I explained that using lyrics may be infringement, an audible groan filled the room. One writer leaned forward and put his head between his hands. Using lyrics is one of the most common mistakes writers make. Our brains are so packed with familiar tunes, we forget someone owns them. The sad truth is even if you know every word of a Beatles’ song, you do not have the right to use a single line in your novel. If you are blogging or publishing (either traditionally or as an indie author), a little knowledge about copyright will save time, embarrassment and money. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Practical Publishing, Self Publishing, Uncategorized

2014 San Francisco Writers Conference

February 1, 2014 By Jody Rein Leave a Comment

SFWC logoI’m gearing up for this year’s San Francisco Writers Conference Feb. 13th-17th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel—and getting psyched! It’s the only writers conference I attend each year (besides BEA). It’s classy and conscientious. SFWC  includes esoteric stuff like poetry jams and panels on using writing to make the world a better place—along with great practical panels and big name presenters. I love that about it!

Here’s a PDF of the official conference flier: 2014 SFWC Flyer

The conference provides insight and guidance for traditional, self-published, and aspiring writers.

You can attend the conference as a whole (learn more here), or purchase one or more of the pre- and post-conference workshops separately, or both.

I’m teaching: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Practical Publishing, Rants and Raves, Self Publishing, Writing

Top Ten Places to Discover Books Online

February 7, 2013 By Jody Rein Leave a Comment

Too many bookstores are closing their doors.  How will we find our books?

That’s the rub.

bookstore closedNot a massage kinda rub, but an OUCH! bruising kinda rub.

Plenty of studies show most bookbuyers find books in bookstores or libraries, through word of mouth, regardless of where they ultimately buy them.

Not online. Online is confusing and overwhelming.

A bunch of companies are trying to make online book “discovery” more user-friendly.

Will they replicate the bookstore experience? Never. But if they help readers find worthy books online, and keep the business of publishing good books alive, everyone benefits, even booksellers.

What do you think? Do these spots work for you?

Newest “Recommendation Engines”

1. Bookish was years in the making; it’s the result of a major collaboration between some of the largest publishers in the world. The look and concept is cool: type in a book you love and through miraculous algorithmic juggling, others you will love pop up. Plenty of bells and whistles; plenty of early praise and complaints.  Compared to Amazon: easier and cleaner; both less suspect and less powerful. Good people behind it; good luck to them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Platform and Sales, Practical Publishing, Self Publishing

Apple to Highlight Self-Published Books

February 6, 2013 By Jody Rein Leave a Comment

Self-Published Books Pushed by Apple

Apple recently announced its new program of “Breakout Books” as reported in The New York Times.

According to the piece, “popular” self-published books will be featured under a banner on the iBookstore for the first few weeks, and then will become a regular feature.  Not mentioned in the article: exactly where these books come from. The piece interviewed Smashwords founder Mark Coker, who said the books “were nominated to Apple’s editorial team.”  Given the happy Smashwords/Apple relationship,  “were nominated” probably means “nominated by Smashwords.”

Smashwoods’ Reach Extends

Smashwords’ importance as a sales and discovery channel for self-published works is ever-growing. Mr. Coker recently also allied with many public libraries to make thousands of self-published ebooks available to the library market.

Can We Trust the Books?

The titles Apple will  highlight are selected based on: “criteria including sales performance and reader reviews” although the Apple “editorial team” has “final say” on the selections.

The world needs [Read more…]

Filed Under: Practical Publishing, Rants and Raves, Self Publishing

Next Page »
General Advice

Praise

Jody’s suggestions are clear and concise, and effectively point me in the direction I need to go with my project. I’ve had a most instructive and enjoyable time working with her! (more)
Louise Hauck
Jody has a gift for communicating in a clear, authoritative, engaging way that inspires trust and affection. (more)
Michael Larsen
Working editorially with Jody Rein and her team at Author Planet is like getting a graduate degree in writing… (more)
Timothy Ashby
Jody strives for the best, sets the bar high, and encourages others to do the same. Her success in the world of book publishing reflects her high standards. She knows the business inside and out–and her clients benefit! (more)
Dr. Lucy Spelman
Kudos to Jody! She provided the substance and valuable information we sought. Jody has such an open, upfront approach; it was perfect for our casual atmosphere. (more)
Bonnie F. McCune
Jody is beyond AWESOME! (more)
Mark Kistler
Thanks to (Author Planet), I have been able to serve as the force behind several events that have resulted in change for good…(more)
Trisha Pritikin
Jody actually takes the time to digest and understand what it is the writer is attempting to do before offering well thought out input. She has a more creative “big picture” mindset than most. (more)
Joe Lieberman
Jody is the consummate professional; she’s creative, a pleasure to deal with and her knowledge of book publishing is profound. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough. (more)
Madeleine Morel
Jody gives thoughtful and thorough assessments, a value to me, and I appreciate it. I take her words to heart.  (more)
Bill Nesbit

Recent Posts

  • Literary Agents: The Right Way to Nag
  • Thru Dec. 9! Holiday Raffle for Art Books, Lessons and Equipment

More Posts

Publishing News

Writing a book? Confused about publishing options? Need a marketing plan? Don’t miss the 7th annual Nonfiction Writers Conference—a virtual event unlike any other.

Join 15 top speakers May 3-5, 2017 from the comfort of your home or office. For details and registration got to NonfictionWritersConference.com.

Note: This is an affiliate link. Jody knows and respects the people who run this conference.

RSS General News

  • DOJ v. PRH: All Our Coverage August 12, 2022
    A compilation of PW's coverage of the DOJ's bid to block Penguin Random House's acquisition of rival Big Five publisher Simon & Schuster.

RSS Publishing Trends Feed

  • Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 8/8-8/12 August 12, 2022 PT Editors

Self-Publishing News

RSS Self-pub news from PW

  • Writing Advice: How to Get the Feedback You Need August 5, 2022
    The right input is the key to making your book the best it can be.
  • Trouble Is Her Business August 5, 2022
    Mysti Berry’s Low Down Dirty Vote anthologies set killer crime fiction around the ballot box.
  • Cover Redesign: 'Just a Little Broken' by Le’vian Dae. August 5, 2022
    This month, Michelle Argyle at Melissa Williams Design reimagines the cover of 'Just a Little Broken' by Le’vian Dae.

RSS The Book Designer Feed

  • The 12 Best Writing Organization Tools of the Year August 4, 2022
    Writing a book is one of the most meaningful projects you can dedicate your time to. Your book has the potential to entertain and inform people far into the future. It also sets an amazing example for those around you, showing them it’s possible to dream of being an author and then realize that goal. […]
    Joel Friedlander
  • New Free E-Book: Published. From Blank Page to 10,000 Copies Sold July 25, 2022
    New PDF e-Book: 10 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing covers basic questions about self-publishing, and how to avoid the most common mistakes
    Chandler Bolt

Author Planet, Jody Rein News

Looking forward to the upcoming 2018 San Francisco Writers conference February 14-17, 2018. Jody will be teaching many classes, and offering free coaching sessions.

Hey, hey, teaching again at the wonderful 2018 Willamette Writers Conference, August 2-5 in Portland, Oregon. This time taught a SIX HOUR Query Master workshop–super fun!

Jody is doing the morning keynnote for theCastle Rock Writers Conference 2018, in October, in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Jody was interviewed by Stephanie Chandler in a teleseminar for the Nonfiction Authors Association on April 13, 2016.

Recent Tweets

  • Tweet Avatar RT @VanessaVaile: the gr8 idea of taxing corporations to lower #healthcare and #energy costs. So why would anyone mislead about ta… https://t.co/M4OM7wK9hs 2d
  • Tweet Avatar RT @Jen_Senko: One of the really great things about the IRA Act is that corporations will finally have to pay a minimum tax. That… https://t.co/irfxQ0KLav 2d
  • Tweet Avatar RT @SuzShumway: Making health care and energy prices lower by taxing corporations sounds effective to me. So why would anyone misle… https://t.co/5sok4eu9IX 2d
Follow @authorplanet
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Policies and Terms
  • Blog
  • Product List

Copyright © 2022 · Log in