Read Write Edit Play Repeat vol 8
What's in a Name?
What’s in a Name?
One of my middle grades book series got a trademark infringement report filed against it. Some other guy wrote a book series with the same title in 2006. It was so obscure that it didn’t show up in searches when I was considering the title a few years back. Normally that’s not a problem because titles can’t be copywritten. That doesn’t really matter to the algorithms or anyone you try to talk to at Amazon though. The fact that the dude sells watches and backpacks instead of books and there will be no series confusion doesn’t matter either. The fact that no one is buying any of this stuff from him doesn’t matter except that it probably makes him bitter and crazy. Of course, when communicating on the issue with or through Amazon, I’m much more cordial and deferent. As long as the guy doesn’t subscribe to my newsletter, I should be fine. Keep an eye on the comment section, I guess.
I would almost certainly win in a legal battle based on his trademark claim being an overextension. If I had the time, energy, and money, I could probably eventually get his trademark overturned for books. I’m on short supply of time, energy, and money though. If I didn’t pay for transplant meds every month, then maybe. If I hadn’t just had a heart attack and am having to pay for and go through cardiac rehab, then maybe. If I wasn’t being testing for degenerative brain issues from all this other damage, then maybe. But probably not. All my fight is tied up in other things and I don’t have anything left for these issues. I took the books down and I’ll plan to rerelease them maybe a year or so down the line with different titles. Probably fighting it would be the right thing to do or the noble thing to do, but for the moment, all my nobility is used up on a brave face for my family under the shadow of my own mortality. I’m on to new things in writing too, so must leave the trolls under their bridges that I’ve already finished crossing.
Here are some things you might be interested in:
Running with the Devil #BrianKeeneRevisited
by Jay Wilburn
This volume covers primarily the years 2004 and 2005 which included some personal and professional challenges to him, the releases of City of the Dead and Terminal, and a whirlwind book tour that maybe came at the worst possible time for him …
Author’s Note: I sat on this story idea for a long time because I had no idea how to pull it off. You can be the judge of whether I made it work on this attempt.
“homoscurra”
by Jay Wilburn
Dale Hackett was terrible with names. It didn’t help that he cared very little for any other human being except in the moments they impacted him directly. Fortunately, he was in a position of power within his agency and division. He could point and give orders and others remembered names and details for him as they went away …
31 Stories in March!
This month, I’m writing a new short story every day from scratch, from start to finish, live on Twitch.tv/JayWilburn. If you’re available any day this month at 3:15 PM Eastern U.S. time or can drop in within two or three hours after that, please come see me. I’ll actually write two stories on March 30th because I’ll be traveling to AuthorCon in Virginia on Thursday, March 31st. You can come see me there too.
This will be a lot of fun. I enjoy all the interaction and discussion in the chat. Sometimes other writers around the world will have me on in the background while they are writing. The process of writing a story every day for a month rejuvenates my creative process. I could really use that right now. Doing so in front of an audience adds a certain electricity that most writers don’t experience writing in isolation the way you’re supposed to. If you’re the least bit curious, would be happy to have you look on for a while.
Thanks, Everybody
Find past newsletters here.
Sorry your health issues stop you from arguing with that asshole but totally understand. Take care and stay safe.