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Home » Archives for Helen Sedwick

Helen Sedwick

Sedwick.HeadshotA graduate of University of Chicago Law School, Helen Sedwick is a California attorney with thirty years of experience representing businesses and entrepreneurs as diverse as wineries, graphic designers, green toy makers, software engineers, investors, restaurateurs, and writers.

Her newest release, Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing, is assisting indie author in navigating the legal minefield of self-publishing and blogging. Her historical novel Coyote Winds earned five-star reviews from ForeWord Reviews and Compulsion Reads and is an IndieBRAG Medallion Honoree.

Disclaimer: Helen Sedwick is licensed to practice in California only. This information is general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an attorney authorized to practice in your jurisdiction.

Books by Helen Sedwick

Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook

Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing is available on Amazon.

Coyote Winds

Coyote Winds is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Helen's Websites and Blogs:

  • Helen Sedwick.com
  • Helen Sedwick
  • Coyote Winds
  • Helen Sedwick: Musings about Coyotes, The Dust Bowl and Writing

You can also find Helen on:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+

Helen's Articles on The Book Designer

How to Legally Use Quotations in Your Book

by Helen Sedwick on August 29, 2016 231 Comments

A book or website that relies almost entirely on using quotations written by others can be done, but not without doing a lot of homework.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: Helen Sedwick, quotations, Writing

Using Family Photos, Letters and Stories

by Helen Sedwick on April 22, 2016 30 Comments

What are the legal implications of using family photos, letters and stories? Here’s what you need to consider.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: Helen Sedwick, using photographs

Getting Creative with Disclaimers

by Helen Sedwick on March 25, 2016 30 Comments

Many authors assume the legal disclaimers for their books are supposed to be boring, but the law does not require a disclaimer to be boring. Many writers have a lot of fun with their disclaimers. Here’s some examples.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: Helen Sedwick

Why Indie Authors Need a Business Hat

by Helen Sedwick on February 8, 2016 11 Comments

Indie authors are often surprised to discover they are running a business and have questions about incorporation, business licenses, sales tax and hiring freelancers.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues, Self-Publishing Tagged With: book publishing, Helen Sedwick, indie author, indie publishing, self-publish a book

Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 3: Invasion of Privacy

by Helen Sedwick on September 25, 2015 14 Comments

Invasion of Privacy: Tricks and Traps of Writing About Real People, Part III by Helen Sedwick explains how to balance honest exploration with protecting confidences when your work will involve writing about other people and their secrets.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: Helen Sedwick, invasion of privacy, right to privacy

What is Defamation?

by Helen Sedwick on August 28, 2015 8 Comments

What is Defamation? by Helen Sedwick looks at look at the elements of defamation and what writers need to know to protect themselves.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: defamation, Helen Sedwick, libel, slander

Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 2: What is Defamation?

by Helen Sedwick on August 28, 2015 7 Comments

What is Defamation? by Helen Sedwick looks at look at the elements of defamation and what writers need to know to protect themselves.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: defamation, Helen Sedwick, libel, slander

Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 1: The Right of Publicity

by Helen Sedwick on July 31, 2015 24 Comments

Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 1: The Right of Publicity by Helen Sedwick explains if and when writers can model characters after real people and name names without getting sued.

Filed Under: Legal Issues, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Helen Sedwick, the Right of Publicity, Writing

Should Writers Incorporate?

by Helen Sedwick on June 26, 2015 28 Comments

Should Writers Incorporate? by Helen Sedwick explains whether writers should incorporate or form an LLC (short for limited liability company) for their writing, blogging, and self-publishing businesses, and why.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: forming an LLC, Helen Sedwick, writers incorporating

How to Spot a Rights Grab

by Helen Sedwick on April 24, 2015 11 Comments

How to Spot a Rights Grab by Helen Sedwick gives examples of danger words hidden in contracts and explains how writers can spot rights grabs to protect the rights to their work.

Filed Under: Contributing Writers, Legal Issues Tagged With: Helen Sedwick, publishing contracts, rights grab, writer's rights

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