Have a question about how to use the law in your story? Need a character, plot twist or setting? Ask me in the comments section and I'll be glad to answer. I welcome all comments and questions.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

4/7/10 Writing and Publishing News

Where the law and literature meet:

Simon Singh wins appeal, fair comment allowed in UK libel defense: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/01/science-writer-wins-libel-appeal

Setbacks for libel reform in UK: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/05/libel-reform-simon-singh  and http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j6vW9EJ_STbmk9ABKbVd1nBRTg8AD9EP74P00

Stan Lee wins suit over copyright of his characters: http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/books/2010/04/05/13472321-wenn-story.html

Indie filmmakers launch automatic threat letter campaign over copyright infringement: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Copyright-LawsuitOMatic-Hits-US-Shores-107645?nocomment=1

Amazon caves, lets more publishers in on agency model: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/01/amazon-caves-to-book-publishers/ and http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4bd7770c-3dd1-11df-bdbb-00144feabdc0.html

Freedom of expression versus authoritarian governments: http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/89175117.html

On the upsides and downsides of the agency model: http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/03/29/countdown-to-agency-and-party-like-its-9-99/

Amazon puts disclaimer on books released under agency model: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/amazon/amazon_includes_disclaimer_on_ebooks_priced_by_agency_model_157266.asp

Egyptian publisher arrested, books confiscated: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/03/AR2010040301999.html

Italian journalist prints fake interviews with Grisham, Roth: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/31/roth-grisham-fake-interview-obama

As predicted, authors figure out they no longer need publishers: http://www.magellanmediapartners.com/index.php/mmcp/article/do_i_need_the_middle/

Award-winning author Wideman turns to self-publishing: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/29/entertainment/la-et-john-edgar-wideman29-2010mar29

And yet another author, Konrath, breaks down the math on why authors should self-publish in e-format: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-kindle-sales-top-4200-and-5850.html

Plagiarist caught, forced to resign from post: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8602674.stm

What happens to judicial elections when corporations can contribute?: http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/judging-dollars

Apparently failing to recognize the irony, Jewish group seeks banning of pro-Palestinian novel: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/455037-Jewish_Group_Boycotts_Canadian_Kids_Book.php

Amazon won’t sell Penguin e-books anymore: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/455009-First_Agency_Model_Casualty_Amazon_Not_Selling_New_Penguin_e_Books.php

FBI says threat letters to governors are protected by 1st Amendment: http://www.ktva.com/ci_14811126?source=most_viewed

Egyptian composer to sue Saudi author for defamation over novel: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article38844.ece

More headlines:

Why we read fiction – the scientific explanation: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/books/01lit.html?pagewanted=all

iPad users won’t use it for reading: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2362066,00.asp

Stephen King’s latest to be released by an independent publisher: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/stephen-king-to-publish-surprise-limitededition-baseball-novella-1931289.html

HP script found in pub after crew celebrates there. Whose head will roll?: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/7548916/Harry-Potter-And-The-Deathly-Hallows-script-found-in-pub.html

Writer gets book deal after leaving manuscript on Richard and Judy’s doorstep. Richard and Judy’s house collapses under weight of unsolicited manuscripts. OK, the last part was a prediction: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262793/Struggling-author-bags-book-deal-leaving-copy-Richard-Judys-doorstep.html

Author speaks out against Germany’s fixed-price laws, then apologizes: http://publishingperspectives.com/?p=13790

Entire Whedonverse streaming in Netflix!: http://io9.com/5507337/the-entire-whedonverse-is-streaming-on-netflix-shiny

Twilight saga sort of sequel: http://www.cinematical.com/2010/03/30/twilight-saga-expands-new-book-possible-spin-off-movie/

Amazon loses e-book pricing war: http://www.pcworld.com/article/193118/amazon_loses_ebook_pricing_war.html

PW sold to former publisher: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100405/FREE/100409949

No first amendment right to boink a co-worker: http://lawyersusaonline.com/benchmarks/2010/04/07/lookin-for-love-in-all-the-wrong-places/

No comments: