I've written a novel and I'm all done. I'm planning to send it to a publishing company. However, in order to do that and not get my stuff taken away from me... I need to know where I can get my novel copy-righted so I can send it off. Please help, thanks a lot.
2007-05-21 13:39:08 · 7 answers · asked by Tubby_tubkin 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
While it's not completely necessary to have your work copyrighted officially, you would need to go to the Library of Congress to obtain the forms. Just complete the form, send in the fee, and a copy of your work to their specifications. It takes several months for you to hear back from them, but they'll eventually send you a certificate.
Usually, an author doesn't bother with copyrighting until a publisher accepts the book for publication.
If you submit your work to reputable agents/publishers, worrying about having your work stolen is not an issue.
Do your homework before you submit your work. Use websites like Preditors & Editors. Go to the library and make use of research materials like The Literary Marketplace and the Writers Market.
An informed writer is a successful writer.
Good luck to you!
2007-05-21 13:46:34 · answer #1 · answered by Bea W 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Every thing that you write is copyrighted from the moment that you put it out anywhere and you say it is. For you to get published, however, the publishing company may want you to sign a contract saying that you assign all copyright to the company. The company gives you an advance of money, however. In the contract, you can specify that if your novel ever goes out of print, then you can reclaim rights from the company and shop the novel someplace else.
2007-05-21 13:47:33 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not necessary to copyright your manuscript. Get a copy of The Writer's Market. In there you will find information about how to submit a manuscript and to whom. Anyone listed in this book is reputable and will not take your stuff away from you.
Also, if anyone recommends that you mail a copy to yourself . . . save the postage. This does not hold up in court and is a waste of time and energy.
Do your research and don't bother wasting your money on a copyright you don't need nor with mailing a copy to yourself which is pointless . . . use that money to buy a copy of The Writer's Market and start seeking a good agent or publisher.
2007-05-21 14:00:30 · answer #3 · answered by Satia 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I heard that an easy way to do it is to just send a copy of it to yourself in a sealed envelope and then just keep it don't open it or anything and then it is technically copyrighted because if anyone came along to try and take it you could just show them the package and the postmark date. That proves that you had the idea first. I don't know if that is true but you could always research it and see if that does work. That would be a really easy way of doing it.
2007-05-21 13:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by haileybug123 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As the other answerer said, it's not necessary to copyright your writing because once you create an original piece of work, it is yours. In fact, if you copyright it before submitting it to publishers and agents, you're basically telling them you don't trust them, which is considered insulting, unprofessional and rather amateurish.
However, for the tinfoil-hat wearing paranoiacs out there who are positive EVERYONE WANTS TO STEAL THEIR STUFF (hilarious!), there are ways to copyright. See link below on copyrights.
2007-05-21 15:36:04 · answer #5 · answered by Autumn 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The U.S Government has an office for copyright issues:
http://www.copyright.gov/
which should answer all your questions.
There are also businesses that help with the copyright process, but if you choose to go that route, make sure you choose a reputable one.
Good Luck!
2007-05-22 09:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by lauriafern 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is going to steal your stuff.
I guarantee it.
2007-05-22 03:57:59 · answer #7 · answered by MysteryWriter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋