When the publisher interested the 2 or more chapters you sent to them. They should asked you to give all the complete manuscripts. How really is the procedure? They could steal the manuscript, aren't they?
10 pts. for good or detailed answer
2007-03-01 02:04:05 · 7 answers · asked by Doo.ri 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
How long you get to finish copywriting?
Where, lawyer office?
How much the cost?
2007-03-01 04:50:16 · update #1
I usually send everything I write to be copywritten, first. Even in rough mode. The address is in Washington, DC, I believe. You should be able to google it ...copywrighting...etc. For editors to ask to read your material is normal, how else can they decide if they like your material and if it fits their criteria. Good Luck!
2007-03-01 03:07:50 · answer #1 · answered by SerenityRN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A couple of books I'd suggest reading right off: 'The First Five Pages' by Noah Lukeman and Carolyn See's 'Making a Literary Life'.
Lukeman's book is an excellent resource for guiding you through the process of publishing for the first time. He outlines very well what you can expect from agents and publishers; while also going into detail of what is expected from you as well.
I work in the publishing field in the Pacific Northwest and I am so sick of hearing this tripe about publishers "stealing" books. I can't think of a single reputable book house that has been realistically accused of this or found guilty in nearly 15 years.
On the flip-side of the coin I can think of at least four writers that have been dinged with flat out plagiarism just recently. This includes Jason Blair, formerly of 'The New York Times'. Behavior like this hurts the publisher as much as the writer.
If you are seriously worried about your manuscript ask around the writing community about the publishing house's reputation; copy right your work; and bring in a third party to verify that the work is your own prior to handing over the entire book.
From what you've said I'm guessing the publisher has already looked at the first chapter and you're moving forward from there?
On your follow up:
*I'm not sure on the cost of copy righting -- you can find this online though I think.
* You can just have a friend review your work and sign a document saying that they saw this on "such-and-such a date."
*You can then have a notary sign off on that for less than $20.00.
2007-03-01 03:24:44 · answer #2 · answered by Andy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You hold copyright simply because you wrote it, all you need to do is prove that you wrote it, which can be easily done.
Print a copy with the date on it, and if it's on your computer it will have a date from when the file was first made.
Also, you can have witnesses to the fact that it is your story.
Really, look at the publisher's history, if they are in the 2007 Writer's Market Guide they won't steal your manuscript as it would make them more money to keep you as an author if your manuscript is really good, that way you would return to them with your future writings.
2007-03-01 21:18:08 · answer #3 · answered by Dan A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most publishers take anywhere from a week to 6 months to make a decision on whether or not to accept your work. If they don't think your book will sell or fits their needs, you'll get a rejection letter. Publishing companies want to make money, period. If you can save up the money, use Infinity Publishing or IUniverse.com. They are Print On Demand= you pay to get published, but make more money. No rejections.
About publishing theft. Since you are the author, you hold the copyright to the material. If for some reason you discover that the publisher uses your chapters to make a book out of it without giving you the credit or payment, you can sue them based on copyright infringment.
2007-03-01 02:10:31 · answer #4 · answered by Adam H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. it is not unusual for a publisher to ask for a few chapters, the whole manuscript, or only a summary--that is up to them. send your stuff to established publishers and copyright it first, that's all you can do. i've not heard of much stealing of manuscripts by publishers; it's more by individual citizens.
2007-03-01 02:24:04 · answer #5 · answered by KJC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Asking for an outline, or the first couple of chapters isn't out of the ordinary. However, I would, to cover your bases, develop a confidentiality agreement and send it for signature before you send any work if its an agent or publisher you are not familiar with. You can find these forms (or examples) online.
2007-03-01 02:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by Enchanted 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Publishers do not steal writers' work. They are much too busy publishing excellent material.
You own copyright as soon as you produce your work. You can register copyright to prove you hold it, but I consider that a waste of time and money. Professionals are just too busy with what they do to be bother stealing from anyone. If that's what they did, they'd be out of business in no time.
The best way to be sure no one will steal your idea is to deal only with reputable people and businesses.
2007-03-01 13:57:02 · answer #7 · answered by audreytheeditor 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋