Photo credit: Skley via Visual hunt / CC BY-ND
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would increase the autonomy and authority of the Copyright Office. Why is it important? If you’re a professional writer, here are three reasons why it matters. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on May 10, 2017
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/3-reasons-why-the-copyright-offices-independence-matters-to-authors/
The Campanile at UC Berkeley (Photo by Cindy Fazzi). The university’s Pacific Film Archive is one of the many recipients of NEA grants in California.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH), which provide much needed resources to low-income communities in all 50 states, face the danger of complete elimination. The Authors Guild is working with a host of literary and arts organizations to prevent the defunding of the two agencies. Support the guild’s initiative by signing a petition now. You don’t have to be a member to lend your name. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on March 12, 2017
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/the-easiest-way-you-can-help-save-the-future-of-arts-literature/
Photo credit: opensourceway via VisualHunt / CC BY-SA
A copyright is supposed to protect the work of an author, but most authors can’t afford to file a claim in court, so what’s the point? A new bill aims to change the situation by establishing a tribunal for small copyright claims. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on August 15, 2016
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/new-bill-aims-to-help-authors-enforce-copyright-protection/
When someone takes your car without your consent, it’s called theft. But when Google digitized millions of books without getting permission from their authors and without paying for copyrighted material, it’s called public service, according to Richard Russo, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Empire Falls.”
Posted by cindyfazzi on March 7, 2016
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/author-richard-russo-calls-out-google-for-justifying-theft-as-public-service/
Back in 2009, e-books accounted for only about 3-5 percent of book sales, so a 25 percent royalty didn’t have as much impact on an author’s earnings. Today, e-books represent 25-30 percent of all adult trade book sales, but the e-book royalty has remained the same for most traditionally published writers. The Authors Guild, which called the practice unfair, has launched an initiative seeking 50 percent e-book royalty for all traditional authors. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on August 10, 2015
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/authors-guild-push-for-50-percent-e-book-royalty-for-traditional-authors/
If you’re a published author and your name is neither J.K. Rowling nor Stephen King, then the results of three recent surveys will confirm what you probably already know—authors are earning less these days. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on May 18, 2015
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/surveys-in-u-s-u-k-canada-show-decline-in-authors-earnings/
“Seahorse” by Nina Fazzi.
I’ve heard of the Authors Guild for years, but I didn’t join it until earlier this year. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made as a writer. Let me tell you why. (more…)
Posted by cindyfazzi on June 14, 2014
https://cindyfazzi.wordpress.com/2014/06/14/4-reasons-why-i-joined-the-authors-guild-and-why-you-should-too/
