Having just self published for the first time, I wondered if others might find my research and experience of “upload your work and we’ll print and sell it” platforms useful.

The myriad of conditions you sign to are often hidden and put a different face on the company. Suddenly, their bouncy, appealing straightforward self marketing takes on a jagged edge.

Completely Novel claims that they can terminate and delete you for any reason without notice, and won’t enter into a dialogue or even tell you why.

This was a frighteningly common clause.

Blurb says that you’re held to their terms, even after your account closes.

I always reject the services of those who ask us to waive our rights. Laws for our protection are not created to then be waived!

The 3rd International Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016

The global photography competition showcasing the world’s best
landscapes & seascapes is now open for entries!

©Warren Keelan, 2015, The International Landscape Photographer of the Year

For the third consecutive year, Artists' Bill of Rights supporter, the International Landscape Photographer of the Year, is looking for your best work.

2014 and 2015 saw the first years of the competition, and were a great success with images entered from around the world, culminating in stunning collections of the top 101 images for each year. The collections were published in beautiful coffee table books by Momento Pro.

In this third year of the competition, ILPOTY is again very pleased to have the depth and judging experience of five of the world’s best photographers and industry professionals.

• David Burnett, co-founder Contact Press Images, USA
• Tim Parkin, ON LANDSCAPE Magazine Editor
• Luke Austin, 2015 International Landscape Photographer of the Year -Kaye Davis, NZIPP Grand Master of Photography
• Jim Goldstein, Fine Art Photographer and Author, USA

Longtime Artists' Bill of Rights supporter, Scottish Nature Photography Awards, celebrates nature, wildlife and landscape photography in Scotland.

The Scottish Nature Photography Awards Photographic Competition 2016 is open to professional and amateur photographers from around the world, but images must be taken in Scotland.

Entries close 24:00 hours GMT on Wednesday 30th November 2016.

This is the 7th annual competition to seek the Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year. The categories are:

Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2016

• Scottish Wildlife Portrait
• Scottish Wildlife Behaviour
• Scottish Landscape - Sea & Coast
• Scottish Landscape - The Land
• Scottish Landscape - Urban Greenspace
• Scottish Botanical
• Natural Abstract
• Environmental

A new Artists' Bill of Rights adopter, The Photo Competition to Brand Brum, awaits your entry!

Gas Street, ©Verity MilliganThis challenge is open for all Midlands amateur and professional photographers to capture Birmingham’s brand, and we are pleased that ORB and Retail Birmingham, sponsors of the competition, adopted and now support the Artists' Bill of Rights principles.

Birmingham branding agency, ORB, presents this competition in partnership with Retail Birmingham for amateur and professional photographers across the Midlands to take up to 10 photos that tell the story of Birmingham and convey what the city means to them.

The competition is part of ORB’s mission to champion Birmingham’s talent and encourage more local business leaders to recruit and invest locally in the city’s creative industries, rather than looking to London or overseas.

Launched on World Photography Day (August 19th), photographers capturing the city, its people and its spirit in their series of pictures can win £1,000 of camera equipment, courtesy of Retail Birmingham and shoppinginbirmingham.com, as well as have the chance to work alongside former Sony World Advertising Photographer of the Year Martin Brent.

Judging the competition alongside Brent will be Chief Executive of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Paul Faulkner; Co-Founder & Director of Impact Hub Birmingham, Immy Kaur; Retail Birmingham BID Manager, Steve Hewlett; Former Editor of the Birmingham Post, Stacey Barnfield; renowned Birmingham photographer, Verity Milligan and Founder of ORB Branding agency, Rob Bloxham.