UNCOPYRIGHTED PUBLICATIONS

Most publications have each issue of their publication copyrighted (registering the copyright) when it is published, but there are those that do not go to the trouble or expense to do so. If you sell to a copyrighted publication, your piece is protected under the publication's copyright. However, if you sell to an uncopyrighted publication, you need to ask that they carry your copyright notice at the end of your piece. If your material is published in an uncopyrighted publication without that notice, it goes into public domain—meaning anyone can use it or reprint it without your permission or any payment to you. Keep in mind that there are similar dangers involved when you post your writing online.

TABOOS

Subjects that will not be accepted by certain publications or book publishers. What might be taboo for one publisher could be fully acceptable by another. The area most likely to have taboos is the religious market, although those taboos seem to change with the passage of time. In the past, in writing for religious magazines, the taboos included references to such things as smoking, drinking, dancing, or playing cards. Most of those taboos have gone by the wayside for all but the most conservative denominations, and even religious publications are open to discussions on homosexuality, or challenges to long-held religious practices. Most publisher's writers' guidelines will indicate if they have specific taboos. Reading sample copies of magazines is also helpful in recognizing the taboos associated with that publication.

And another area that still holds a number of taboos is the children’s book market. For some guidance on how to attempt a children’s book on what might be considered a taboo topic, go to: http://www.ehow.com/how_5095679_write-childrens-book-taboo-subjects.html.

NEW PUBLICIST AT B & H

Jenaye White has joined B&H Publishing Group as publicist for books, Bibles and the B&H brand. White will work alongside B&H brand managers to develop and execute publicity campaigns, and will also manage brand press relations. Dave Schroeder, Vice President of Marketing and Communication, comments: “I’m excited to welcome Jenaye White to our marketing team. She brings intelligence, candor and energy to our B&H products. I know she will be an invaluable member of our team.”  MORE

 

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY

Proofread other blogs to practice your editing skills.

SEQUEL

A book or story connected to a previous one through using the same characters or continuing the previous plot. The original plot is usually brought to a conclusion and the new story creates a new plot for the same main characters, or picks up the lives of lesser characters from the first story. The sequel is usually written by the original author, but it can be written by another author if that person gets written permission to do so. Sometimes a publisher will hire a number of different writers to each write one of the sequels. In any case, getting that permission is required, since the characters in the original story belong to the original author. Even if the original author is deceased, those rights belong to his/her heirs and permission must be sought from them—unless the original book has gone into public domain. In that case you would not need permission, but should ethically credit the original author in the acknowledgments. Here are two sites that will help you understand and write a sequel: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/03/going-once-going-twice-writing-sequels.html, and http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/film/writing-sequels.

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY.

Develop your vocabulary by learning three new words every day.



AND THE SPEAkER SAID . . .

“I came to you in weakness and fear and . . . my message and my preaching were not wise and persuasive . . ..” (I Corinthians 2:3-4).