Expert: Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Do I need permission to use song titles and the music band's names?
2-how much should I sell my stories for my own e-book, and how much percentage is takin out for taxes?

ANSWER: Greetings Bonita...

To answer both of your questions:

1. Yes, if you plan to use IDENTICAL band and song names you will need written permission from the band's agent or representative/s.

To use someone's band name or song titles without their permission is called copyright infringement (at best - at worst it is considered stealing) and can subject you to legal action (including much money out of your pocket in the form of payments due to the band in question for the illegal use of their names or song titles) and/or jail time from the band whose rights you stole.

2. How much you charge for your e-book is up to you. No one can give you guidelines as to how much to sell your work for, but professionalism would dicate that you take the following into consideration:

A. Page Count

B. Subject Matter

C. If you have a lot of artwork or pictures in the book that you had to pay for or that took an extreme amount of your time to process

As for taxes, that varies state to state. In order to sell your book at conventions or at book signings where you must supply your own book (this would include small bookstores, NOT larger ones like Barnes & Noble, where your books can be ordered into the store by the store staff) you MUST have a Federal Tax ID number and report your taxes quarterly or however your state sets up your payment schedule.

As for income taxes, you'll have to report any taxes you paid on your books sold, to the IRS, but that is best discussed with your CPA or tax person that files your taxes for you.

Good luck!

Andrea

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1-Will I need an I.S.B.N. number to sell my book, bookstores or not?
2-Is it considered 'publishing' my book if I have a regular printing store, like'Copy Cats printers' make the book for me?


Answer
1. Yes. If you plan to sell print books in stores, they must have an ISBN number. They also must have distribution for the bookstores to carry them.

You can do this yourself, but it's difficult. A publisher (traditional - not small press) can do that for you.

Trick is, getting publishers to accept your work. It's a difficult road.

2. If your book is in print using someone like Lulu.com, it is considered truly in print. While bookstores stay may or may not carry your book using Lulu, you will still be considered truly published.

If you use a place like 'Copy Cats' bookstores WILL NOT carry your book because "they" won't consider you as published. Self published at best, which they won't allow in their stores.

Good luck!

A