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Negotiating a well drafted author/publisher contract is key to a successful author/publisher relationship. Authors also need to focus on how they deal with their literary assets and royalty streams both during their lifetime and after their death. This workshop, presented by festival lawyers Blake Lapthorn, will explore the legal issues facing authors from the creation of their works onwards. It will offer practical advice on what to look out for in publishing contracts, how to avoid expensive libel law suits and what steps to take to protect and preserve your copyrights and other intellectual property whether on breakdown of a relationship or after your death.

The workshop will be led by partner Simon Stokes, of Blake Lapthorn’s publishing team, and supported by Christine Plews, partner, and Caroline van Zyl, senior solicitor, from Blake Lapthorn’s private client team.

Stokes is a publishing partner with Blake Lapthorn and has been advising authors and publishers for almost 20 years. He is the author of several books, including Art & Copyright and Digital Copyright Law & Practice (3rd edition). The UK legal directories recommend him for his expertise in copyright, technology and publishing law.

Plews is a partner and heads up the family team at Blake Lapthorn. She has particular expertise in divorce and financial issues on separation including cohabitee disputes and cases involving business assets, trusts and cases where substantial assets are involved. Plews also deals with disputes between executors and beneficiaries and claims. Chambers UK, A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession 2012 features Plews as a leader in her field.