Self-Publishing a Novel: 3 Ways a Lawyer Can Help
If you are a self-published novelist, you already avoid many of the steps required when using a traditional publishing house. While this can give you a great deal of freedom to edit the book as you see it and to have complete control over the marketing and promotional materials, it can also leave you exposed to potential legal problems. Below is a guide to 3 ways in which a lawyer can help you when you are self-publishing your novel.
Help setting up a business
Before you publish your novel, you should consider if you wish to register a new business which will act as an umbrella company which can be used to copyright your pen name, act as a publishing company and deal with any other income which arises from your writing. Operating as a business will also help you to reduce your tax burden. However, setting up a business and dealing with multiple income streams can be complicated. A lawyer will be able to advise and assist you to make sure everything is as it should be.
Help with drafting contracts
Although you may be self-publishing a novel that you have written, you will not be able to do this alone. It is likely you will need to hire an illustrator to design the book cover, an editor to review the final text and an advertising company to promote your book. You will need to draft and sign contracts between yourself and these people which detail the scope of the work which has been agreed and the expected compensation. A lawyer will be able to draft and draw up these contracts, notarizing and filing them when they have been signed. If the other party breaks the contract and does not deliver what they promised, your lawyer will be able to take action and attempt to recover your money.
Plagiarism protection
Plagiarism is an ongoing issue for many self-published writers, who see their work being rewritten or repackaged and republished under a different name. A lawyer will be able to ensure your work is properly registered and copyrighted so that they can act quickly to serve a court order on anyone who has plagiarised your novel. If
If you would like to find out more about how a lawyer can help you to self-publish your novel, you should contact a law firm today. One of the staff will be happy to meet with you to discuss your needs.
