How to become an Author, Write Books, and get Published

Basics every aspiring author should know
How do people become authors?
What, or how should I write?
How do I get myself published?
How do I get paid as an author?
Who owns the copyright to the book?

How to write a book?
How to write a fiction novel?
How to write non-fiction?
How to write a children’s book?
How to write an auto-biography?
How to write science fiction?
How to write a romance novel?
How to write a short novel?

How to get published?
What is the difference between a Publisher & Literary Agent?
How to find a Publisher/Literary agent?
How to publish a poem?

How to self-publish & sell your books?
How to decide whether to self-publish?
How to self publish a book?
How to self-publish without spending a cent!
How to market a book?
How to get an ISBN and barcode?

Useful Resources and Links
Warning on scams for aspiring authors
List of Literary Agents' Websites
Facebook Poets & Writers Registry
Literary magazines directory

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Who owns the copyright to the book?

Typically the author retains copyright to the book, usually assigning the right to exploit print and distribution of his work to the publishing company under the contract. This usually lasts for the duration of the copyright’s lifespan – which is 70 years after the death of the author in most western countries – unless the publisher discontinues circulation and decides to terminate the publishing contract, in which case the author is free to look for another publisher.

Author contracts are usually pretty standard across all publishing firms in Western countries and non-negotiable unless one day you become a best-selling author with a lot of bargaining power.

Some publishers will ask for “World Rights" to distribute and sell your books. This gives exclusivity to only one publisher to represent you and sell your book anywhere in the world. Try to grant such rights only to international publishers. Otherwise a small local publisher without a foreign distribution network could hamper you from selling your books overseas. Give smaller publishers rights only to countries they have an existing distribution network in. You can always grant them other geographical areas later on as and when they've established a sales network.
Some contracts ask for "first right of refusal" to the same publishing company for your next work. This means you cannot publish your next book with anyone else unless your existing publisher has already turned it down. This is usually imposed on new authors since they are taking a bet on you. Unless you become an established author, there is usually not much leeway on this clause. However, you can ask to limit such first right of refusal to your "next book of the same genre" instead of anything you choose to write next.
Publishing contracts these days also include negotiation of other related rights besides a print book: screenplay adaptation, audio recording and radio broadcast, foreign translation, merchandise, and reprint rights etc. These are complex issues and best left to a professional literary agent to negotiate on your behalf.

Note however, that not all developing countries are signatories to copyright treaties and therefore, do not observe equivalent intellectual property laws or even protect intellectual property at all!

Useful Websites:

Writers who have secured a publishing contract, intending to self-publish, or are worried about infringing copyright of other people's work in their own books are advised to read the following websites:

A non profit website that gives a quick introduction to copyright history and basics http://whatiscopyright.org

A comprehensive guide to copyright issues and useful links for writers by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. http://www.sfwa.org/beware/copyright.html