You’ve spent months—maybe years—pouring your heart into your manuscript. Now it’s time to package your book for the world, and the cover...

Writing a book often involves weaving in powerful quotes, meaningful song lyrics, insightful excerpts from other works—or even telling stories about real people. But when do you need permission to include someone else's content or mention their name or experiences? Understanding copyright law, fair use, privacy rights, and the permissions process is essential for every author. Let’s break it down.

Your author voice is what makes your writing unmistakably yours . It’s the unique tone, style, and perspective that sets you apart from...