The Great American Idea Book

Over the years I've used this book frequently for several reasons. First, it gives an overview of the creative process and how a person can take an idea and move it to a completed, marketable book, movie, or invention. I like this aspect because I sometimes need to check to see if I have overlooked any important steps. Second, it contains an excellent introduction to patent and copyright law. Anybody trying to make money with ideas needs to know the basics of the law that protects a person's property in ideas. I have referred to the book often to refresh my recollection of the legal aspects.Third, the book contains many short vignettes about other creative people who succeeded in turning an idea into a book, screenplay or product, and how they succeeded. These stories cheer me up and motivate me to keep looking for new ideas and new ways to bring them to market.Fourth, it discusses many of the "nuts and bolts" of the business aspects of negotiating, publishing and selling. From the book I learned many of the terms of art, and how industry insiders think and act. It's a fun book to read, too. Well-organized, light and direct writing style, easy on the eyes. The book has an excellent table of contents and index, which really make finding information easy.Mr. Coleman is a professional writer and knows a great deal especially about writing and selling articles, books and screen plays. Ms. Neville is an accomplished intellectual property lawyer. Together they have produced a fine volume that will help inventors, writers and anybody else who wants to understand the business of creativity.