Customer Reviews

Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law: For Authors, Publishers, Editors and Agents

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not only has this book saved me much time and money in research and legal fees, but the author makes the information accessible by offering myriad examples to back up his sage advice. I keep three books on my desk: the dictionary, the Chicago Manual of Style, and Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law. A classic.

As an editor with a small book publisher, I have found this volume invaluable. Along with basic information (written in a lively, engaging style that even makes legal issues interesting), the book contains many sidebars with answers to common questions, interesting case studies, and practical hints. Couldn't do without it

Jonathan Kirsch is an interesting combination: he is both a novelist and an attorney. He puts both skills to use in this book by creating an interesting, easy-to-read, easy-to-understand dissertation on all aspects of publishing law. The book is highly recommended for both authors and publishers.

After a three-chapter introduction of some basic publishing law concepts, he spends almost 80 pages in chapter four going over the book publishing contract clause by clause. He examines the legal implications of each clause, the profit/loss implications for both the author and the publisher, as well as typical practices throughout the industry. Every author and every publisher should read this chapter twice!

Chapter five examines defamation and privacy issues that every author and publisher should know before they write or publish a book. Can you risk not knowing this?

After that he examines copyright, subsidiary rights, and trademark issues in detail-essential information for publishers.

A well-read copy of this book belongs on the shelf of every publisher and author.

Are you about to finish writing a book? Are you an editor, agent, publisher, or even rookie lawyer in publishing? If so, or even if you are considering publishing something- anything, really- than this book is an essential tool/workbook in navigating the potentially dangerous/potentially treasure-filled waters of the printed word industry. Do not sign any book contract- no matter how good it 'sounds'- without first reading this book. Do not quote another source in your material without understanding the possible copyright consequences as explained in this book. Do not sign on with an agent or collaborator without first studying this book. I have seen too many musicians get screwed in boilerplate recording contracts and now that I have moved into writing I am very thankful that I have found and read this book- as I do not want to be the next victim of the 'small print' of a powerful publisher or by a indemnity lawsuit due to any negligence on my part.

What Kirsch does in this publication is go through a book contract step-by-step, clause-by-clause, he 'reads between the lines' for us, he dissects the main deal points in a negotiation and summarizes the critical areas to pay attention to; he hems out publishing law as it applies to writing your book, selling your story to a publisher, and reaping your rewards without incurring a hefty lawsuit. This book is very-well formatted in a visual sense, is user-friendly, even for the publishing law novice, yet it teaches its concepts at a fairly advanced level. What more could you want?

The book was advertised as in "good" condition. As usual, I received it in a timely manner and it was in good condition. I have no complaints. The book is out of date in many ways which they said that it would be, but from the book I can at least understand the terms of a publishers' contract and then check against current law at the library. I just needed to understand what the contracts were talking about and this book provides that. I really appreciate the Amazon sellers and feedback sites. I have never had a problem with a purchase from Amazon.

Read this before you sign your first book contract. I'm glad I did. I made this material my crash course and it paid off. - DaveDavidson.com - author

Jonathan Kirsch is an interesting combination: he is both a novelist and an attorney. He puts both skills to use in this book by creating an interesting, easy-to-read, easy-to-understand dissertation on all aspects of publishing law. The book is highly recommended for both authors and publishers.

After a three-chapter introduction of some basic publishing law concepts, he spends almost 80 pages in chapter four going over the book publishing contract clause by clause. He examines the legal implications of each clause, the profit/loss implications for both the author and the publisher, as well as typical practices throughout the industry. Every author and every publisher should read this chapter twice!

Chapter five examines defamation and privacy issues that every author and publisher should know before they write or publish a book. Can you risk not knowing this?

After that he examines copyright, subsidiary rights, and trademark issues in detail-essential information for publishers.

A well-read copy of this book belongs on the shelf of every publisher and author.

The 1995 edition of Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law is an excellent introduction for folks new to publishing; it's well-organized, clear in detail and highly readable. Kirsch makes his non-trivial subject matter very accessible with clear discussion and relevant anecdotes to illustrate main points. He hits all the big points to a good (but not overwhelming) depth: idea and copyright protection, how to know who owns (or shares) copyright, dealing with agents, negotiating rights, and the all-important book contract. The chapter on the book contract is especially useful, as he steps through each clause in a template contract, discussing what it promises to whom, and describing common variations on important "deal points." The appendix includes a library of example contracts for setting up a collaboration, a work for hire, agent relationship, copyright license and more. Very useful boilerplate.

Though the edition I read has a 1995 copyright date, the material is still relevant and very useful -- though I'd sure like to see the update that his website indicates is on the way!

Highly recommended for anyone going into a publishing venture, whether as author or publisher.

Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law - For Authors, Publishers, Editors and Agents by Jonathan Kirsch, (1995, first edition) is a good book full of very useful information in law in general. Whilst the author is American writing in relation to American law, the any points raised and questions to ask and consider more than outweigh the cost of the book. This book does not take the place of expert advice (as the author writes) but is general guidelines, principals and ideas. As the author states, law changes from state to state (country to country) and the book is only up-to-date on the day of publication.

The book is VERY useful, helpful and insightful and being written by a publishing attorney should be. It is not full of legal jargon, but has been put into plain speech with some legal terms or phrases; otherwise an entire volume would have need to have been written.

As the subtitles states: for authors, publisher, editors and agents and this is whom the book is for and about. The book has a good sized index, detailed contents pages and a very handy introduction. The book is split into 8 (mostly long) chapters, briefs (addresses) and then various forms library (agreements).

One of the useful pieces within the book is cases from point of law. X verse Y and the verdict given and why, which are boxed of. Legal jargon within a clause or contract is in smaller font and then broken down and explained within the chapter which makes easier reading for non-lawyers or non-legally minded / trained people. Other good points are the various checklist and pointer to other chapters for additional information.

Handy book of Reference for General Information on Publishing Law

An Indispensible Resource of the Writer
"Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law" was recommended to me by a friend as a necessary and important resource tool for writers, authors, and anyone in the publishing industry.
I especially appreciate Kirsch's expertize in publishing law, his analysis, anecdotes, tips, examples, and indispensible instruction an full coverage of legal matters important to writers.
"Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law" is a significant addition to my writing reference library. Highly recommended.