Copyright?

[SpecialK]

I'm new to this whole posting thing and a friend of mine suggested I mail a copy of my stories to myself and leave it unopened. (The purpose being that the PO dates all letters which go through the system.) Do you (authors) do this?

Is there anything else I should know about copyrighting my stories?

K

 

[Southernhelle]

Doing that is a good idea for your own records, but I don't think it would hold up in court or wherever you might have to prove something was yours if someone tried to claim it as well. An actual copyright costs money, and I'm going to get all vague here because I don't remember names - if you go to a bookstore or a library, there are tons of books on how to write, copyright, submit to publishers, etc. There's an awesome book (if you're interested in submitting your stuff and potentially being paid for it) filled with all the names of magazine publishers, what they pay, what they require, their general audience, etc. Same for novels (publishing companies)...someone help me out here.

 

[Southernhelle]

and no, I personally do not do that with the stories I post here...but if you check, I think it's Bob Peale who puts a little disclaimer at the beginning of all his stories. That might be double protection, if you mail it to yourself and then put a disclaimer...or are you even talking about stories you might post here?

 

[Anothername_9]

I believe the book you are talking about is "The Writers Market." I know that tehre is also one specifically for poetry called--what else?--"The Poet's Market." There may be others from the same folks also. The books are loaded with submission info and are updated yearly. As to actual copyright business, I believe that if you were to fight an infringement of this sort your own notebooks, computer files, etc. would be good evidence in your favor. They establish a thread that the disputed writing is a part of. I have heard this line of thought more than once. Other than that, the copyright notice should be sufficient. The real problem occurs, of course, when it gets as far as the blasted lawyers, no matter how you have protected your work.

 

[Bob Peale]

Well, the after having sex with my sister on my mother's bed, I removed the electric toothbrush from her...

Sorry, it just didn't seem right to have a thread here without some outlandish incest content!

A couple of helpful points...mailing the story to yourself does help to establish precedence; the key is to do it fairly close to when the story first makes a public appearance. Copyright and patent attorneys here in town (Washington, DC) actually have said that the postmark method is admissable.

Similarly, a copyright statement included with your story is sufficient to prove intent.

Hope this helps.

 

[Laurel]

We don't retain copyright on any stories you submit. We place a copyright symbol by your name designating that you hold all rights to the story and that we are simply posting it on our site with your permission.

Though we love exclusive material, you may submit your stories to other sites or even print zines - whatever you wish. We will remove your story at your request.

 

[DCL]

Technically (since the 1970s) anything a wirter writes is automatically copywritten from the moment of creation, without having to fill out a form or mail anything to yourself. That's "technically". Proving it is more difficult. Follow the advice above...mailing yourself a copy (and leaving it unopened) is extremely good to do. "The Writers Guide" is very helpful. Just make as large a thread as possible form your work to you...

 

[HSWriter]

I really don't think that anyone should worry about people copying their material. I believe that if you can't be creative enough to write your own stories, then don't steal them from other people.

But, If you have to have your stories copyrighted for a sense of security, then here is my tip:
I have written for a few paysites which have paid me some (And I say some meaning not that much) money to write erotic stories. These sites would copyright my stories for me. I've heard that some sites still do that. You should look into it.

 

[SpecialK]

People will PAY for sex stories?!?!?!

Hot daymn!!

Where do we sign up??

K

 

[#1derfulGuy]

Just as stated above, I don't think that you will have to worry about any plagerism being committed. As Laurel stated, your screen name retains a copywrite symbol and, therefore, maintains copyright rules to your stories. Sending your stories back to yourself is a good idea. AOL usually do that for you in the "Sent Mail" file. That way, you can keep it on file for your personal use. I happen to have the book "The Writer's Guide" and it is very helpful in any form of writing that you chose to do. However, in this case, you may also want to consider the book, "How To Write Exotic Stories". I noticed it and read a little of it in a few major book stores. It, pretty much, hits the nail on the head, so to speak.

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

Hi, I have a few questions for anyone out there. I have to say... YES! Erotic Stories can be sold. I have just learned that a Company, called (Red Shoe Productions) wants The Cabin and Dezerae Remembers. (Movie and book or magazine rights combined) They are located in California apparently. Has anyone ever heard of this company? I have a writer friend, who submitted my stories to his agent just over a month ago, and I learned this week, that both have been sold. The Cabin sold before they even knew I had a sequel. Of course they snapped up my second story right away too. I am blown away here! Guess I have had beginners luck, as I have only written 3 in all. I have so many questions though, about rights and so on. I have heard an author in here name Dixon Carter Lee may be able to help me regarding any concerns. Laurel spoke highly of him, but of course. So if you are out there Dixon, I would love to hear if there is anything I need to know regarding the sale of these stories. So to all you new and old authors out there, don't ever give up, it can happen to you...Thanks Katerina Val-Kyrie (Dezerae Remembers coming soon)

 

[SpecialK]

Wow! That's great Katerina!!

Does this company have a webpage? I'd be interested submitting something of mine perhaps.

K

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

I am not sure if they have a web page or not. I am learning about all this myself. The company wants my stories, but nothing is offical until I decide or sign a contract. I have lots to find out yet, before rendering a decision. Thanks hon!

 

[Guest]

Well, I have sold erotic stories before the internet, but now why would anyone pay? It seems to me that the best stories are on sites like this, and free! Also, as far as sending a letter to yourself? Why not just print a copy of the submission letter from one of these sites? It will not only have the date, and difficult to immitate internet garble, but also contain your story. An envelope could have contained anything. Jan and I don't do anything as we write our MikeandJanTales for our, and other's, enjoyment.

 

[Wordmage]

Originally posted by SpecialK:
I'm new to this whole posting thing and a friend of mine suggested I mail a copy of my stories to myself and leave it unopened. (The purpose being that the PO dates all letters which go through the system.) Do you (authors) do this?

Is there anything else I should know about copyrighting my stories?

K

Yes. Don't just mail it; mail it certified and don't open it, unless you really don't care if your work appears under someone else's name. To all who replied that we really don't have to worry about it, I disagree. I get paid to write; anyone who takes my words and puts their name on it is stealing from me. I've seen sites that have no problem in taking a story downloaded from a pay site and re-posting it. Even worse, some people didn't like the ending, so they tacked on their own illiterate babble to "fix" it. Protect yourselves; no one else will do it for you. Sorry. This is a hot button for me....

 

[sweetnpetite]

good things to know.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Yes. Let me add two suggestions, one free and one not:

1) Save progressive drafts. This is, of course, just handy if you change something and think you might ever want to change it back, but it also helps to prove ownership when you've got a series of drafts dated weekly from the initiation to the completion of the project.

2) Check out the WGA (Writers' Guild of America) website, where for a modest fee (I'm thinking it was $20) you can file an archive copy of a work for a set period of time. This lets you produce evidence that you had a draft with your name on it at X time period. Handy.

Shanglan

 

[Boota]

http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html

I used this link to copyright my novel. Quick and painless with a downloadable form. $35 and you're protected and archived in the Library of Congress.