Comments on: The Business Rusch: Want To Be Read 100 Years From Now? Here’s How.

By: Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Kristine Kathryn Rusch — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:41:33 +0000

If you’re mentoring a writer, you might want to consider it. But remember, estate management will take time from their writing. Still, there are infinite ways of doing this. You could also designate a scholarship to the school of your choice and have the estate fund that scholarship. Then you’re in essence creating your own charity. Just make sure that the estate’s administrators get a percentage too, so that they don’t work for free. This is all something to discuss in future blogs! I can see it now.

By: Karen Myers

Karen Myers — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:06:50 +0000

Like several others, I have no natural heirs nor does my husband. I have NO IDEA who to leave IP stuff to (and that includes a small photography biz). All our attempts at wills so far have foundered on that rather necessary immediate first step.

I wonder if there is an alternative to designating a charity? I mean, why would they know how to handle it any better than Uncle Fred?

I’d like to find an author in a younger generation, and leave it as a viable business to them, one they can just keep percolating along while they work on their own material. What do you think? (And how would I find one?)

By: Mike D (Little Egret)

Mike D (Little Egret) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:41:21 +0000

@Elizabeth

Making a will that is formally OK in all 53 US states and near states isn’t a big deal but the problem would be regarding children, spouse etc since some states insist on fixed inheritances and such (as does Scotland). Thus a check on all states where you might have property is needed.

@ SpringfieldMH

Plenty of good Andre Norton reprints as Ebooks.

Thus Baen have plenty (mostly Omnibuses)http://www.baenebooks.com
and click (or search)Norton

And Premier have recently put a whole set of in copyright works in the Kindle Store like Gryphon in Glory.

Tor too IIRC.

By: Mary Jo Rabe

Mary Jo Rabe — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 06:36:22 +0000

I got my will made here in Germany. The German notary public asked me which state law in the U.S. I wanted the will to comply with and agreed that the state where I vote by absentee ballot (Iowa) would be the logical choice. He then made up a will in compliance with German and Iowa law. There are major differences involved. Iowa law demands that a will be witnessed. German law does not, but also doesn’t recognize a typed will unless prepared by a notary public. If you make your own will, it has to be completely hand-written to be legal.

By: Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Kristine Kathryn Rusch — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:40:41 +0000

Lawyers on the list, any suggestions? I’m guessing if you have a permanent U.S. residence, that’s where you do your will. I also wonder if someone at the U.S. consulate in the country you reside in can help you.

By: SpringfieldMH

SpringfieldMH — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:19:50 +0000

Sigh. This probably explains why I’ve had trouble finding any or any decent/legit ebooks for science fiction classic authors Andre Norton and Clifford D. Simak.

Which suggests the possibility of knowledgeable folks in the industry helping identify, rescue and revive such literary estates, commercially and/or creative commons or public domain, hopefully in a legal ethical fiscally responsible manner in keeping with the author’s wishes..

Worst case, make sure adequate copies of works are archived for safekeeping, until the works age out to public domain.

By: Mercy Loomis

Mercy Loomis — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:21:10 +0000

Keep in mind that your copyrights will also outlive your agent.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:33:34 +0000

I am an American writer residing abroad. I have queried 3 lawyers about drawing up a will and no one seems to have a clue because they don’t know which state law to apply. there are about ten million Americans residing abroad. Surely we can’t all die intestate?

By: Marc Whipple

Marc Whipple — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:45:25 +0000

Why would you think any of that would be any different from any other ongoing business activity?

By: Craig Reed

Craig Reed — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:55:30 +0000

I think I failed to make myself clear….

What I meant was; Author X has 10 e-novels up. He dies. His estate is as clear as Missippi Mud, and the will (if there is one) goes into probate, or ends out in a court battle.

Does the E-novels stay up until the person controling the rights requests they be taken down? What happens to the royalties as the estate is being fought over? Do both the ebook vender and POD publish continue until told otherwise? Are E-rights covered in local inheritence laws.

That’s what I meant about technology being ahead of laws. I don’t know if it is, which was the thrust of my question.

Craig