Copyright is just copywrong! (though I forgive it obviously...)

The final chapter of Tollesbury Time Forever has lyrics from an Elvis song and from Here, There and Everywhere by The Beatles. When I wrote the scenes in the final chapter, I was really pleased as the combining of music and words is just what was required. But - DISASTER!

I have since found that even quoting one line from a song can cost hundreds of pounds! And I have about twenty lines! It's this whole copyright thing where people (which are usually not the artists themselves) make money out of owning the rights. When I learned this, several things went through my mind:

• Keep the chapter as it is and hope no-one notices if the book gets published
• Write the lyrics in French (a wine fuelled notion I have to admit!)
• Have the main character influenced by Keats instead of The Beatles as quoting from poems is much more acceptable and less stringently monitored
• Rewrite the relevant scenes so as not to include the lyrics

 I am in the process of re-editing Tollesbury Time Forever so have decided to rewrite the final chapter. Perhaps it is one of those things that you learn at just the right moment - the final chapter may even be better for it.


Anyway, no more news on submission responses so far although I have submitted to a publishers called Snowbooks. I have though bought the new Tom Waits album. It is fantastic! Now I wonder if I should use some of his lyrics in the fourth chapter, translated into german and written in lemon juice like I used to do when I was a boy spy.....