Self-Publisher's Legal Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing Paperback – Illustrated, June 6, 2014

This book is an excellent reference for anyone who is looking to self-publish. It’s also good for authors generally. The book was published in June of 2016 and is easy to read and highly understandable. Her advice is two-fold, for those who publish entirely unassisted as those who use assisted self-publishing firms. It is so important to have accurate information on taxes, guarding your copyright, finding honest help with the book development process, dealing with contracts and so much more. Something I found eye-opening was the section on protecting oneself from scams. This is good information to keep handy and while I realize that much of the information compiled and presented may well be found by searching the internet. That requires that you know where to look. The last thing we want is to put private information somewhere unsafe, where scammers can get access.She has suggestions on setting up your writing business, hiring freelancers that will ensure the quality of your book, avoiding legal issues such as infringement, privacy and defamation, partnerships and social media.She discusses DMCA and COPPA, two terms I have only recently learned about. DMCA has to to with dealing with copyright infringement and COPPA relates to internet information regarding those who are underage. She talks about the legal issues relating to giveaways and so much more. I highly recommend this book and give it 41/2 stars.

Excellent book, but wish I'd known when I bought it a couple days ago that there was a more recent version. It did not show up in my purchase selection, so feel I have outdated material in some areas, but I'm not willing to buy the updated version for an added purchase amount when I just bought this one; not pleased about that. I Even so, while I had already thought of some of the things she mentions, there were others that I hadn't and now am worried about. Of course, prices for various things have also changed; i.e., ISBN 10-packs are now $295 at Bowker's site rather than $250 and so on. This book didn't explain about the barcodes or what a QR code is either, which is also on the ISBN site--maybe the updated version does, but I would liked to have known more about that and should I buy either or both. I always use licensed photos from Adobe Stock (which wasn't mentioned in her list). I used one of them, a simple vector, as part of my publishing trademark. Then, I read in her book that that is illegal. Not sure what, or if, I should do anything about it now. I licensed the vector from item in good faith and it is only a symbol in my trademark name. So, you may come across information that can make you nervous if you've already done things before reading it. By all means, read this book before you do more. One last thing, she doesn't mention it, but if you want to be sure about your privacy statement and many other statements and what you can and cannot say, after reading this book, you should go to FTC Guardian online because they have everything you need to keep your site legal.

I had three books already setup with Amazon when I got Helen's book. I was getting a little tired of writing books and had never been able to find a legal handbook actually written for normal humans. The book showed me, in very good detail, all of the hoops I should jump through in order to keep from being dog meat to the mass of regulations put forward by Law techies which only another Law techie would lust after.I feel the massive amount of work required to be reasonably safe from the Legal stuff would be too much to continue with my writing. So I deleted my books and decided to have a more relaxed life without the massive amount of "Do this, do that, or we will have your a--!".Don't think this is any bad reflection on the book, because it is not! Were it not for Helen's book, I might have sunk into a bottomless pit. So, thank you, Helen and I do not mean this in a derogatory or mean way. You have done a great service to all writers in plain language they can understand and use. At the age of 77, I made the choice to get out of the whole deal rather than get knee deep in the sludge.I wholeheartedly recommend and advise authors or would-be authors to investigate and read Helen's book from cover to cover and you need to do it as soon as possible. You need the info to have any chance of staying abreast if the legal eagles decide to chew on one of your books.Helen, thank you and keep up the good work!

I'm glad I finally made time available in my schedule to read this book because it provided me with a lot...and I mean ALOT of Information I never thought I would even need. Like most people who have bought this book, they are in the beginning stages of self-publishing a book. The best thing about this book is every information you will need about treating this venture as a business is conveniently combined in this book. There is information on how to control your right, SPSCs, scams, tax information, hiring freelancers, reading and understanding contracts, licenses, anything related to this field you name it is listed right here in this book. Sometimes I felt like my head was about to explode on the sections with defamation, infringement, libel, BUT still. It is information that is necessary to know when going into this field. I'm taking it all in stride. The way the information was presented was clear, concise, and well done. The overall tone of this book was helpful. I would recommend reading this book several times to fully grasps the information presented by the author. But as the author has indicated, any information provided in this book should not replace you seeking counsel from an attorney.I'm glad I read this book. Was a quick nice read. Thank you Ms. Sedgwick for the information!

I wish I'd read this book years ago. It's a refreshing change from the usual advice books written for the self-publishing market. The author really is a genuine expert in her field, and she has done a fantastic job of making a potentially stuffy and difficult subject easy and enjoyable to read. There's also none of the hype and BS you tend to get in this market - just straightforward guidance.The author covers every aspect of authoring you can think of, right down to treating it as a business. She gives good commonsense advice about the kinds of promotions you should and shouldn't do, and I'd have saved quite a bit of money if I'd read this earlier. Traditionally-published authors will also find useful advice on contracts and many other aspects of the law relating to their profession.

Although much of the detailed information is for the USA, the principles are fine for non-USA authors. Given you spend weeks, months, even years writing your book(s) you don't want to "give it away." No your rights.

Mistake to purchase, info is on web with a little research

Doesn't really go into enough detail for me. I found out most of this info online before I purchased the book. Oh well, you win some, you lose some!

Good advice, but felt that more effort could have gone in to the writing of this book. If you are looking for advice on disclaimers, there is none.