Romance writer's bid to stop authors from using word 'cocky' fails in court

Self-published author Faleena Hopkins asserted her right to the word, but judge calls attempt to stop other authors using it ‘weak’ Romance writers around the world can breathe a sigh of relief after a US court ruled that they can continue to use the adjective “cocky” in their book titles, after one author attempted to stop other writers from using the word.In September 2017, self-published author Faleena Hopkins filed a trademark claim for the word “cocky” in relation to a romance novel series, which was registered by the US Patent and Trademark Office in April 2018. Only series can be registered as trademarks, not individual titles, and common words can’t be registered at all, unless the public associates it with a particular use. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers and publishers trade blows over plummeting author pay levels

Responding to a survey that found the median author income had dropped to £10,500, Publishers Association said the figures were ‘unrecognisable’The Society of Authors has issued a sharply worded challenge to the UK’s biggest publishers after the chief executive of the Publishers Association... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #biggest publishers #publishers association #paying writers


Publishers are paying writers a pittance, say bestselling authors

Philip Pullman, Antony Beevor and Sally Gardner call for fairer share of profits, as survey shows full-time writers earn below minimum wagePhilip Pullman, Antony Beevor and Sally Gardner are calling on publishers to increase payments to authors, after a survey of more than 5,500 professional... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #3% drop #male counterparts #professional writers #latest report #sally gardner #antony beevor


Judge Denies Author Attempt to Trademark 'Cocky'

In a decision handed down late last week, Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York denied a motion by an author requesting that a preliminary injunction be issued to prevent publication a number of books that include the word “cocky” in the title. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Freedom to Publish Advocacy: Authors Guild Wins ‘CockyGate’ Court Ruling

In a court case mounted with the Romance Writers of America, the Authors Guild has prevailed against Faleena Hopkins in the Southern District of New York: Authors can use the word 'cocky' in titles. The post Freedom to Publish Advocacy: Authors Guild Wins ‘CockyGate’ Court Ruling appeared first... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #southern district #romance writers #court ruling #post freedom #authors guild


Spread the Word launches writer development programme

Development agency Spread the Word is launching a new annual development programme for London-based writers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Romance so white? Publishers grapple with race issues amid author protests

New report exposes decline in diversity in romance writing, as editor resigns after telling author they avoid putting non-white characters on covers ‘because we like the book to sell’Readers, writers and editors of romance books are grappling with the genre’s record on diversity, after a week... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #romantic fiction #report found #editor resigns #romance writing


The Eccles British Library Writer's Award: investing in authors

Catherine Eccles reflects on the history of the Eccles British Library Writer's Award and how it supports authors' careers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Asian American authors join forces to help writer Matthew Salesses, whose wife is battling cancer

Author Matthew Salesses' wife, Cathreen, was diagnosed with cancer in March, not long after the birth of their second child. Now, friends and colleagues in the Asian American writing community are offering literary rewards in a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. Author Margaret Rhee... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-12-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Prize

Fêted for her auspicious debut, ‘Conversations With Friends,’ Dubliner Sally Rooney at 26 is tied with Zadie Smith (2001, ‘White Teeth’) for youngest winner of the Sunday Times/PFD prize for emerging authors from the UK and Ireland. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson A Book... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer Prize

'Conversations With Friends' author Dubliner Sally Rooney at 26 wins the Sunday Times/PFD prize for emerging authors from the UK and Ireland. The post Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer Prize appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #emerging authors


Indigenous Writers in Canada: Interview with Author Cherie Dimaline

There’s more work to be done in recognizing Indigenous authors in Canada, says Cherie Dimaline, a 2017 Governor General's Literary Award winner. The post Indigenous Writers in Canada: Interview with Author Cherie Dimaline appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-11-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sylvia Plath's bikini shot: it's time to stop sexualising a serious author to sell books | Cathleen Allyn Conway

The UK cover of a new collection of letters is only the latest to show the acclaimed poet as blond, beaming and in a skimpy outfit. But presenting female writers as mere sex symbols diminishes their literary achievementsOn the US cover of Sylvia Plath’s Collected Letters, a volume out this week... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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LBF and Writer's Digest launch author conference

The London Book Fair and US magazine Writer’s Digest are to launch a new conference for authors, The Writer’s Summit, which will explore new opportunities in publishing and in developing successful writing careers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Valley signs Chinese authors in bid to raise profile of translation

Scarborough-based indie Valley Press is to publish a seven-book series by "acclaimed" Chinese authors in an attempt to help "raise the profile of translated books in the UK". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SoA calls on next government to offer 'more than just words' to support authors

The Society of Authors (SoA) is calling on the next government to offer "more than just words" to help support British authors and the culture sector. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies

A rarity among major prize programs, the Young Writer of the Year Award welcomes the entries of work by self-publishing writers as well as trade authors. The post The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #self-publishing writers #young writer


Ebury does two-book deal with romance writer Mandy Baggot

Romance writer Mandy Baggot has signed a two-book deal with Ebury.   Baggot is “thrilled” to be joining the publisher, which has acquired world all languages rights from her agent Kate Nash.  Single for the Summer, publishing on 27th July, features sun, sea and romance against the backdrop of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rushdie urges Chinese authorities to release jailed writers

Salman Rushdie has put his name to an open letter, alongside J M Coetzee, Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman, calling on Chinese president Xi Jinping to reverse his state crackdown on dissidents. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors called David more likely to be on bestseller lists than BAME writers

The Bookseller magazine has published analysis finding a ‘shockingly low’ number of BAME authors in the UK top 500 titles of the yearA writer has more chance of making it into the bestseller charts if their name is David than if they are from an ethnic minority, according to new analysis from... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-11-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How one Kiwi author is making $200,000 a year publishing romance novels online

She's a USA Today bestselling author who sells up to 300 books a day and has droves of fans in America – but you won't find Kiwi Leeanna Morgan's name in New Zealand's literary annals. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2016-10-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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