P.G. Shriver's Blog, page 2
August 15, 2017
Bouncing Ideas or Infringement?
My trilogy, The Gifted Ones, began in 2000. The first book was published in 2010. The storyline is similar to that of The Gifted coming to FOX this Fall. The Gifted extends Marvel's X-Men to the young adult genre.I approached a comic book producer about turning my young adult trilogy, The Gifted Ones into a comic book, curious about the cost. The person said he worked with "A" list people to produce comics based on films or books.
Great! I thought. He gave me a quote, which wasn't bad, and I filed it in my mind for when the trilogy is complete.I pitched the idea for this trilogy to many agents and publishers. The idea is "out there".Now, Marvel, the mega comic company, has come out with the young adult superhero television series about teenage superheroes on the run. I saw it advertised this weekend and my initial thought was, "Wow, that's familiar!"Hmm...This has happened to me before while I was writing the first book and working on the series, Heroes came out in 2006. It didn't last long, but still it resembled my idea for The Gifted Ones.And yes, I know, no idea is new, they are all borrowed. How far does the copyright law protect your ideas, though? How similar do the ideas that are produced have to be for infringement to take place.I know titles are free game, but I have to wonder with The Gifted's subject matter and title: has a writer for this new Marvel series read The Gifted Ones and thought, "We can use this idea to reach out to younger audiences and start a new superhero fan generation!" If that were the case, and they put their own spin on it using their current characters, is that infringement? How would a person be sure? I will contact my attorney to get some answers, but first, I will write a letter expressing my concerns to Marvel.
Great! I thought. He gave me a quote, which wasn't bad, and I filed it in my mind for when the trilogy is complete.I pitched the idea for this trilogy to many agents and publishers. The idea is "out there".Now, Marvel, the mega comic company, has come out with the young adult superhero television series about teenage superheroes on the run. I saw it advertised this weekend and my initial thought was, "Wow, that's familiar!"Hmm...This has happened to me before while I was writing the first book and working on the series, Heroes came out in 2006. It didn't last long, but still it resembled my idea for The Gifted Ones.And yes, I know, no idea is new, they are all borrowed. How far does the copyright law protect your ideas, though? How similar do the ideas that are produced have to be for infringement to take place.I know titles are free game, but I have to wonder with The Gifted's subject matter and title: has a writer for this new Marvel series read The Gifted Ones and thought, "We can use this idea to reach out to younger audiences and start a new superhero fan generation!" If that were the case, and they put their own spin on it using their current characters, is that infringement? How would a person be sure? I will contact my attorney to get some answers, but first, I will write a letter expressing my concerns to Marvel.
Bouncing Ideas
My trilogy, The Gifted Ones, began in 2000. The first book was published in 2010. The storyline is similar to that of The Gifted coming to FOX this Fall. The Gifted is produced by Marvel. I approached a comic book producer about turning my young adult trilogy, The Gifted Ones into a comic book, curious about the cost. The person said he worked with "A" list people to produce comics based on films or books.Great! I thought. He gave me a quote, which wasn't bad, and I filed it in my mind for when the trilogy is complete.Now, Marvel, the mega comic company, has come out with the young adult superhero television series about teenage superheroes on the run.Hmm...This has happened to me before. And yes, I know, no idea is new, they are all borrowed. How far does the copyright law protect your ideas, though? How similar do the ideas that are produced have to be for copyright law to favor the initial idea.I know titles are free game, but I have to wonder: has a writer for Marvel read The Gifted Ones and thought, "We can use this idea to reach out to younger audiences and start a new superhero generation!" If that were the case, and they put their own spin on it using their current characters, is that infringement? How would a person be sure? I suppose I will contact my attorney and ask. Or, shall I write a letter to Marvel?
Great! I thought. He gave me a quote, which wasn't bad, and I filed it in my mind for when the trilogy is complete.Now, Marvel, the mega comic company, has come out with the young adult superhero television series about teenage superheroes on the run.Hmm...This has happened to me before. And yes, I know, no idea is new, they are all borrowed. How far does the copyright law protect your ideas, though? How similar do the ideas that are produced have to be for copyright law to favor the initial idea.I know titles are free game, but I have to wonder: has a writer for Marvel read The Gifted Ones and thought, "We can use this idea to reach out to younger audiences and start a new superhero generation!" If that were the case, and they put their own spin on it using their current characters, is that infringement? How would a person be sure? I suppose I will contact my attorney and ask. Or, shall I write a letter to Marvel?
July 28, 2017
July 27, 2017
Sally's Travelin' Again!
Revision is an important step in the writing process, and I never get enough! Below is a little excerpt from Sally's third book which was supposed to be out last year, but was delayed due to my acceptance of a new job which took up much of my time and creative juices.After recharging with a summer off, the third book is now in the next round of editing and should be released before the big art festival in 2018!Enjoy Sally fans!
“But what do you want with it?” Sally raised a brow.“I need an art project, and I’ve found one now!” “What’s the project for?” Sally quickly stressed.“For the big art festival in Killeen. You know... Take 190 West!” Girl: “Thank you!”
“But what do you want with it?” Sally raised a brow.“I need an art project, and I’ve found one now!” “What’s the project for?” Sally quickly stressed.“For the big art festival in Killeen. You know... Take 190 West!” Girl: “Thank you!”
July 20, 2017
Rules for Watercolor Work Stations
Illustrated advice for the right handed watercolor enthusiastI love to paint with watercolors.I am right handed.I love coffee.Here's a picture of my messy work station. Please note the location of fluid contents. For left handed watercolor enthusiasts, I recommend reversal.
Of course, you may order your work station anyway you like. You may prefer to drink water and paint with coffee. That's okay. If you don't appreciate the added texture of coffee on your paper, learn to drink with your left hand while you paint with the right. Yes, highly recommended!
Of course, you may order your work station anyway you like. You may prefer to drink water and paint with coffee. That's okay. If you don't appreciate the added texture of coffee on your paper, learn to drink with your left hand while you paint with the right. Yes, highly recommended!
July 15, 2017
Book Festival Season Continues...
One of my many passions--besides teaching, writing, illustrating, etc--is joining book festivals where I get the chance to meet fans, readers of all sorts, other authors, and learn about new books I might want to read later on.This new festival will be fun! Some festivals I don't get to attend because they are during the week and I am limited to the number of days I can be out of the classroom, but that's why I'm building my teleport machine. Yeah, that's what I said. Join the project fun and help me get my teleport machine upgraded!Teleport Machine Upgrade ProjectAnd if you're out and about on Saturday, 9/23, stop by and see me at my table!
July 12, 2017
Sally Returns!
Can you guess which festival she is traveling to in this book?I love painting, especially with watercolors. That and festival travel is what makes Sally's books so fun to write.Well back to work!
July 1, 2017
The Big Release!
It's coming soon! The new video recording of one of my books. I've had so much fun working on this project! I hope children have fun watching it, and maybe reading along. Get ready, Sally fans! She finally nailed me down to do a reading!
June 30, 2017
June 28, 2017
Help Me Help Students!
Tomorrow kicks off the first annual scholarship writing contest booster at Gean Penny Books.
Click the image above or this link to join the event on Facebook and follow the news for YSR books. I love giving back to education. Recently, I read a memoir by one of my college students that depicts today's generation as viewed by previous generations.Although my technology students proclaim they are not writers, once in a while a student stumbles into my clutches through class and defies her own proclamation.Besides giving 75% of my royalties during this week long event, I help students find ways into the world of written communication so they can share their messages with others who may need them. I will be working with this young student to have her memoir essay published in a magazine for young adults. Subscribe to my website to follow news of her progress.
Click the image above or this link to join the event on Facebook and follow the news for YSR books. I love giving back to education. Recently, I read a memoir by one of my college students that depicts today's generation as viewed by previous generations.Although my technology students proclaim they are not writers, once in a while a student stumbles into my clutches through class and defies her own proclamation.Besides giving 75% of my royalties during this week long event, I help students find ways into the world of written communication so they can share their messages with others who may need them. I will be working with this young student to have her memoir essay published in a magazine for young adults. Subscribe to my website to follow news of her progress.
