Writers' literary estates

 cj Sez: I’ve always known that I’m happiest when I learn something new every day. It’s the reason I take a college class every now and then. And it’s the reason I join writer groups and attend the occasional writers’ conferences.

  The following is an updated post from my archives—when I learned that I needed to think about preserving my “literary estate.” Hmmm, I thought. What a concept: As a published writer, I have a literary estate, meager though it may currently be. Wow.

  Today, I learned I was wrong when I thought that the estate lawyer who drew up my will and trust documents was all I needed.

  Not so, Grasshopper. Copyright protection requires an attorney familiar with the subject. It’s a legal specialty. I need a copyright, publishing, and media lawyer. 

  I did learn that I am moving in the right direction. I keep
files … physical paper documents in file folders in addition to digital copies that I keep on a flash drive in a safe deposit box. I have a folder of contracts, correspondence, and pertinent information about the publisher (my agent, if I ever get one will be added), and the stories/books—are they still in print and who has the rights. In my case, I have requested my rights be returned. 

  I keep a file of works-in-progress and completed but unpublished manuscripts. I also keep a paper copy of all my passwords so that they’re accessible to my executor/trix. All of these things are notated and updated in pencil as they change until I can no longer read my scratch on the paper. Then I have to retype the thing.

  Perhaps, it’s the OCD in me. Perhaps. But it’s more likely because in my B.R. jobs (Before Retired), I absolutely had to be able to put my hand on a document within short minutes when the boss asked for it. I always filed my daily work documents in their appropriate folders before I left for the day. I'm not quite that dedicated now that I'm retired, but I do try.

  There is a bit more I need to do for my literary estate . . . like finding an attorney in this town who knows what to do with copyrights in estates

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Etcetera

Susan DeFreitas (@manzanitafire), an award-winning author, editor, and book coach, writes about the all-important story opening on Jane Friedman’s blog:  https://www.janefriedman.com/the-secret-ingredient-of-successful-openings/

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

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