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Andini Special user Columbus, OH 685 Posts |
When I complete my psychological mentalism show, it will feature an effect I assume you're all familiar with. It's a routine based on the idea of Graphology (Larry Becker's, I think). I would like to offer to sell a booklet outlining the basics of graphology either in hard copy or eBook form in order to generate interest, believability, and money.
My problem is that I'm not aware of any such booklets that I could have the rights to republish or that meet my criteria. So my question is: Is it ethical for me to write a small booklet about the very basics of graphology and handwriting analysis? It wouldn't be BS as I am knowledgeable in the "science" after having read a lot of books on the subject. However, I'm not a certified graphologist and I don't have any credentials other than my own fascination with it. Most basic graphology books are all the same anyway. And while I would not be directly copying the material from any one book, the information in the booklet will have been learned through other books...meaning I've done no research on my own. My contribution would be writing the book in its entirety and supplying handwriting samples to illustrate the concepts. I'd also be working to make sure that the work is very basic but would include important components of the science. So what do you say? Is it perfectly legal for me to do this? Could I even go so far as to, say, sell the ebook on eBay? I'm interested in your thoughts. |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
If you write it, you wrote it. Do what you want with your work. Just don't copy material from other books and you should be fine.
Tony |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
If you want, I'll certify you as a graphologist. Just send me something with your name written in graphite (pencil will do nicely) and that's all there is to it. If you want a plaque to hang on your wall, that'll cost you a couple of bucks.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
John Riggs, sales a nice one called, Handwritting is relly brain writting. 13 pages in length, very nicely done!! I love riggs products, you cann't go wrong with them.
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Seth speaks Inner circle New Mexico 1249 Posts |
Andini,
You can absolutely write whatever you want. There's no law that says you have to be certified in order to write something. Tons of books on that and related topics are written by enthusiasts! Besides, most "certifications" in pseudoscience fields are... well, pretty iffy. I remember an NLP training I had with Richard Bandler and Paul McKenna, where hundreds of people showed up. EVERYONE got certified, including the couple who spent most of their time making out in the back row, and who asked me on the last day of the training what Richard meant by the terms "visual, auditory and kinesthetic"... If you have knowledge of a subject, and can write, you can certainly write a booklet about it. In fact, that is VASTLY preferable, from an ethical stance, to buying someone else's material and putting your own name on it so you can pretend you wrote it, which is what some performers do. Seth |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There are a number of places that sell boilerplate books that you can put your name on. You buy the book as an e-book, and when you do, you get the rights to reproduce it.
There is nothing unethical or immoral about that. You have purchased the manufacturing rights to a product. Just be sure that the person you purchase it from is authorized to sell it. Nelson Enterprises used to sell something like this.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Mark Timon Special user 594 Posts |
Andini, I Mark Timon give you permission to publish and sell whatever you fancy writing.
Please don't forget to send me your 10% profit from your sales. Regards |
omnibozo Regular user Boulder, CO 151 Posts |
Mark Strivings sells a wonderful book about how to most effectively do BOR sales. Highly recommended.
Bob LaRue Omnibozoologist |
thinkingisbelieving New user 100 Posts |
I do agree with all of the foregoing comments, but I would like to add just one.
First, be sure to give credit where credit is due. For instance, you reference Larry Becker in your post. Be sure that you at least give him credit for the inspiration. Second, be sure to write a disclaimer if you don't have a diploma or certification in your particular field. This will not detract from your credibility, in fact it may add to it. If your writing is impressive and knowledgeable enough then your lack of credentials will only enhance your credibility. (Be careful though: the exact opposite is equally true.) |
Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
If you are pushing for believability then putting the name of a Scientist or a Dr. will add that. Putting Larry Beckers name on your product will put it in a different catagory. Larry's a great guy and all, but that would make it more of a Magic Book than a Reasearched Document.
Don't get me wrong. I love Larry Beckers's ideas!
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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