Publication - Seller Connections, Photo Rights

25 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Photo Rights

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

Let's talk about photo rights.  Just because the photo is of you, and just because you paid for it, doesn't mean you own the rights to it.  If you don't own the rights to a photo, you have no right to publish it anywhere.  You don't have the right to give it to your publisher, post it on a website, etc. etc.

If you want to be able to use the photo in any way you wish, you need to own the rights to the photos.  This is what I do.  When I contract with a photographer, I also contract for the rights to the photos.  I tell the photographer that I will post his/her name with the photo and give them the full attribution, but that I want the rights.  Usually a professional photographer will work out a deal with you.  They will usually sell you the digital photos and the rights for a set fee, including the sitting.  Once you have this worked out, you don't have to worry about the use of the photos--just make sure you give an attribution.

I'll give you more on Author Central tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.