Your Books Will Outlive You: Have You Planned for That?

As authors, we pour our hearts into building our backlists. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of us will die before our copyrights expire. In fact, under current law, your copyrights last for your lifetime plus 70 years—meaning your books could generate income for your grandchildren. Yet surprisingly few authors plan for what happens to those valuable assets after death.

Without proper planning, your copyrights could end up trapped in probate, divided among feuding heirs, or simply abandoned as family members struggle to navigate publishing platforms and contracts they don’t understand. One author’s estate lost six months of royalty income simply because her children couldn’t access her Amazon KDP account.

Whether you’re an indie author with complete control over your work or traditionally published with complex rights situations, copyright legacy planning isn’t optional—it’s essential. The good news? With proper planning, your literary legacy can continue thriving for decades.

Our comprehensive white paper, “Securing Your Literary Legacy: A Comprehensive Guide to Author Copyright Planning After Death,” addresses the critical questions every author should consider:

• • How do you transfer copyrights to heirs effectively?
• • Should you create a literary trust or use a simple will?
• • What’s different for indie versus traditionally published authors?
• • How do you handle agents, contracts, and digital assets?
• • What strategies work best for republishing your backlist?

This isn’t just about legal documents—it’s about protecting your life’s work and ensuring your stories remain available to readers long after you’re gone.

Download the complete white paper to discover step-by-step guidance, case studies, planning checklists, and resources to help you make informed decisions about your copyright legacy. Because your books deserve to outlive you—properly protected and generating income for those you love.

Most published authors are in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. Don’t wait to protect your legacy.

Southern Dragon Publishing Services specializes in helping authors build sustainable marketing platforms and protect their creative assets through strategic planning and industry expertise.

We would encourage any North Florida Writers who would like to Guest Post on this site or be a featured author on the North Florida Writers Tour website then please get in touch using our CONTACT US form. Our site has an excellent monthly Newsletter that contains exclusive content. Join in on the fun! CLICK HERE!

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