question on technical writing - Writers Forum

bonovox · 01-03-2006, 12:46 AM

hi guys,
I am new here and I did some search here but couldnt get the answer.

I would like to write tutorials(text and video) for various softwares (like macromedia and photoshop). Can anyone poiint me to the right direction?
I have a few specific questions:

1. Do I need to contact the product maker first before getting my text and video tutorials on that product published?
2. Will I have to pay the product maker as my intentions are to make profit by writing "technical books" for their products?
3. Do I need to get the finished product approved by the product maker before I send it to the publisher?

Any help will be appreciated.

thanks,

Dresdor · 01-03-2006, 03:43 AM

1. Maybe, I'm not quite sure. You can probably start writing before you make contact with them, and it would be a good idea to have something done before contacting them.

2. You'd have to be very careful if you wanted to do it without some sort of royalties or profit sharing going towards the manufacturer. Maybe you could work out a deal with them about it.

3. I'd say, yes, but it depends a lot on their company policies, and I don't know the legal issue of it.

mammamaia · 01-03-2006, 05:12 PM

i wouldn't advise asking anyone but a literary attorney for info on this subject, since both money and reputation are involved, as well as serious legal issues... much as folks here may want to help, big business is nothing to fool around with, lacking knowledgeable legal advice... get yourself a lawyer who specializes in such stuff...

or, at least ask the questions on a legal advice site...