So You’ve Been Ripped Off? Raymond Biesinger Has a Book for You
Raymond Biesinger, an artist and illustrator known for his work in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Monocle, wrote 9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives to help others protect their creative work.
Motivation Behind the Book
Biesinger explains he wrote the book primarily out of “spite,” but also to broaden the understanding of what creatives can do to defend their rights.
“My goal with the book is to open up the window of possibilities for what people think they can do [to protect their work and their rights],” says Biesinger.
Inspiration and Content
While negotiating with an organization that had used one of his images without permission or payment, Biesinger realized he had many similar experiences accumulated over 20 years. This led the book to evolve from a single story into a mix of career retrospective, memoir, and practical business advice.
Types of Cases Covered
- Simple disputes, like recovering a $50 fee from a music promoter
- Complex disagreements involving usage rights with agencies
About the Author
Biesinger lives with his family in Quebec and has built a reputation through his distinctive illustration work across numerous prestigious publications.
“What originally was going to be about one rip-off turned into something that was more like a career survey, stealth memoir and business self-help book all rolled into one.”
His book serves as a valuable resource for independent creatives navigating the challenges of protecting their work in a competitive field.
Author's summary: Raymond Biesinger’s new book provides essential self-defense strategies for creatives to safeguard their work against unauthorized use, drawn from two decades of his personal experience.