Reviews of Writing Books

Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers by Tad Crawford

Allworth Press, February 2000.
Trade Paperback, 191 pages.
ISBN: 1581150393
Ordering information
Amazon.com.


Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers
by Tad Crawford One of the most difficult aspects of the publishing business for a writer is the legal aspects of getting published or self-published. Attorney and publisher Tad Crawford aims to remedy this problem for writers with his new book. This unique reference provides a selection of common business contracts and forms used in the publishing industry. Information and tips are included for each form. The book also provides an introduction to contracts and negotiating skills and a negotiation checklist is provided for each individual contract and business form to help authors better negotiate their business deals. Some of the twenty forms included in the book are: an estimate form, contract with a literary agent, collaboration agreement, permission form, contract with a printer, transfer of copyright, license of rights and license of electronic rights. The forms in the book are perforated so they can be easily torn out and photocopied. An accompanying CD-ROM contains an electronic version of each of the business forms compatible for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

The legal forms and contracts combined with Crawford's expert tips and negotiating checklists make this a valuable reference for any writer who wants to understand contracts and maximize potential revenue resulting from his hard work.


Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg

HarperCollins, 1999.
Hardcover, 223 pages.
ISBN: 0060191791
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.


Escaping Into the Open
by Elizabeth Berg Elizabeth Berg, the New York Times bestselling author of Talk Before Sleep and a writing instructor at Radcliffe, provides both motivation and advice in her new aide for writers. Berg discusses getting started, moving from fiction to nonfiction, writer's block, writing classes, writing groups, using your senses, the business of writing and common myths about writing. Berg also provides a number of writing exercises for writers to develop and tone their craft. For fun, Berg also includes a section of recipes to reward yourself after a good day's work.

Elizabeth Berg had always dreamed of becoming a writer as a girl, and she openly shares her love of writing and her own personal story and secrets of success to motivate and educate writers to succeed themselves. An inspiring book for writers, full of practical advice and optimism.








Return to the March 2000 issue of The IWJ.

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