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When writers die: Editor's Notes #239
July 15, 2017
Hello,

If I should die before I wake….
--Annonymous


In this issue:

1. When writers die
2. Tickled my funnybone
3. Interesting Web site
4. Writing prompt

1. When writers die
All writers eventually die. You are a writer. How much thought have you put into what happens to your work when you die?

Yes, you should have a will, and if you don’t already have one, get that done as soon as possible. It’s just good sense.

Beyond that, if you have published works, those who follow you will have other concerns. You can make their lives easier.

First, if you have an agent, make sure the agent knows who takes over when you die. And on the flip side of that, ask the agent about the agent’s own succession plan. What happens when your agent dies?

Second, if you have already published something, be sure your publisher knows who takes over when you die.

Finally, understand copyright as it applies to you and to your estate, because just like your children (usually), your written work carries on after you die.

Here is the rule in Canada. "Generally, copyright lasts for the life of the author, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author dies, and for 50 years following the end of that calendar year. Therefore, protection will expire on December 31 of the 50th year after the author dies." From http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02281.html#lifetimeProtection You can check your own country’s laws about copyright after a writer dies.

If you self-publish, you have to look after your estate planning without the help of an agent. But you do have to look after your estate because if you do, your heirs will know exactly what exists and what to do with it. And if you don’t, you will be leaving a mess for someone else to clean up. Probably not how you want to be remembered.

I wrote my first will when I was twenty-one. It’s never too early to take care of business. Think how well you’ll sleep when you know you’ve done all you can.

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2.Tickled my funnybone
Thanks to Sheila Weaver for this one.
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
Drive carefully. We'll wait.

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3. Interesting Web site
When it comes to death, there’s a great deal more to do than I’ve written above. If you want more general information about preparing for your own end of life, you may appreciate this lengthy article.
http://lifehacker.com/5992722/one-day-youre-going-to-die-heres-how-to-prepare-for-it

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4. Writing prompt
Choose a pet or an inanimate object you love. Use that character’s voice to write its will.

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