can you copyright a book by mailing it to yourself and leaving it sealed upon receiving?

Answer 1

The copyright of any unpublished work of writing belongs to the writer. It does not need to be registered unless it is published.
You might want to be able to prove that you wrote the work and when it was completed. In that case send a copy of it to yourself by registered mail. Do not open it except in a forum where you can prove it was you who opened it. That won't copyright your work, but it will provide strong evidence that you wrote it and that it is your copyright. See a book entitled How to be Your Own Literary Agent.

Answer 2

Why go through those steps?
It's easier to type "Your Name," Copyright October 10, 2007
If you prefer, use the copyright symbol © with your name.
That's what I do. Nothing else is required.

Answer 3

no. THis does show when the book was completed but it does not legally make it copywritten, go to this website it tells you step by step how to do it,
http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html

Answer 4

No.