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.
Helen Sedwick
A 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: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing is available on Amazon.
Coyote Winds is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Helen's Websites and Blogs:
You can also find Helen on:
Helen's Articles on The Book Designer
Book Disclaimers: Everything You Need to Know
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.
How to Legally Use Quotations in Your Book
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.
Using Family Photos, Letters and Stories
What are the legal implications of using family photos, letters and stories? Here’s what you need to consider.
Why Indie Authors Need a Business Hat
Indie authors are often surprised to discover they are running a business and have questions about incorporation, business licenses, sales tax and hiring freelancers.
Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 3: Invasion of Privacy
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.
What is Defamation?
What is Defamation? by Helen Sedwick looks at look at the elements of defamation and what writers need to know to protect themselves.
Tricks and Traps of Using Real People in Your Writing, Part 2: What is Defamation?
What is Defamation? by Helen Sedwick looks at look at the elements of defamation and what writers need to know to protect themselves.
Should Writers Incorporate?
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.
How to Spot a Rights Grab
Writers see the warnings all the time. Watch out for rights grabs, those contracts that transfer all rights to the writer’s work to some less-than-reputable publisher or self-publishing company. Without realizing it, the writer has given away the right to publish his or her book in print, ebook, audio, app, and all future formats, in […]
