On Our Own August 06 Newsletter

Hello!

I know of a woman who is planning a function and is spreading the word about when and where it will be and asking people if they will attend, or consider attending. Her invitations are friendly and welcoming, and from the beginning, I saw several say they were interested. A few days ago, however, I saw this same woman being rather rude to a group of women who are in the same circle as the people she is trying to invite. I wonder to myself if she realizes she is destroying her chances of having a large gathering in this way.

I also wonder whether we, as writers, are carefully considering the impact we make on others outside the writing arena. Word gets around. If we are rude to or about others in our online comments, how are we curtailing our possible reading audience? Today I was sent a link to an online question/answer forum by someone who knew I had experience with that particular subject. I went to add my answer, but I edited at least twice to make sure what I was saying wouldn't sound harsh or impolite. Why take so much time to edit a "simple" answer? Simple. My name is attached to it (actually, my online nickname, but it's all the same thing as it leads to me).

A writer's name is his or her trademark. It's what we are selling, in all reality, the same way any business standard is known by the company name. As self-published authors, we especially need to be wary of this, as we don't have the name of a big publishing house backing us.

This month's free exposure link: http://answers.yahoo.com/
There is a books and authors section where anyone can join in and help others by sharing information. I suggest finding a subject that relates to what you write and start answering questions as a writer, with authority. If you sign up, make sure you allow a link to wherever someone can find you. A 360 page is also free and another nice promo spot.

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Self-Publishing Issues

I belong to a writing association where the current subject on the email list is about trademarks and copyright registration. Because there is a lot of confusion about protecting literary works, and because we don't have the benefit of a publishing company's legal team, I thought I would touch on this issue. (Please note that I have studied US copyright laws and they may be different in other countries. Members from outside the US, please feel free to email with knowledge of your countries' laws for registering works and I'll include them in next month's newsletter.)

The first thing authors should realize is that ideas and titles cannot be copyrighted. Titles can be grabbed from other books, from music titles, from the name of artwork, or from anything that works for our stories. Other can grab our titles even after registering our books with the copyright office. Also, if we admit it to ourselves, there is likely not one idea we can find to write about that hasn't already been done.

What we copyright is the expression of the idea; our characters, sentences, and specific plot. What many new writers don't realize is that our words are automatically protected by copyright as soon as we write them. We don't ever have to register them if we choose not to do so. As long as they are our original words, they belong to us. We are free to use the © symbol (hold alt on your keyboard and press 069 to make it) on any of our works or the TM symbol on our names/websites.

However, for those concerned about having their works stolen, one simple way of proving ownership as well as protecting your work from loss is to email each story or chapter to yourself as it is in progress. The email date shows when it was written and keeping the original draft there, as well as the newest version, provides a nice backup file.

It is a good idea, after self-publishing a book, to register it with the copyright office: http://www.copyright.gov You'll need to print out a form from the site and send a copy of your book with the fee (currently $30). It is optional, though, and the individual author's preference. For small printings such as stories to pass along to family, an author might just as well ignore this option. For those planning on widespread marketing, it can be very helpful to have this registration in case of the necessity of claiming plagiarism.

The bottom line is that writers and the public both need to understand plagiarism. Everything in print and online is automatically copyrighted. I have found my images taken from my site here and there without permission. I've heard others say that if it's made publicly viewable, they assume it is for public use. It most definitely isn't unless it specifically says it is. A reminder notice on any of our work that we put on personal websites is also a good idea. Legally, we are protected. It doesn't hurt to let others know.

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On-site Links

This section will feature articles about publishing as well as items that have been self-published or are in process of self-publication by writing.com members, most often group members. Send me a note if you have an item to include in next month's newsletter.

Instead of the normal links this month, I want to ask if any of you would be willing to participate as a group in the following, as a celebration of WDC's 6th birthday:

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What I had in mind was a simple activity where we would review for GPs and donate them to RAOK. It would also be a nice advertisement for the group. Other ideas are welcome, as well. If I get enough of a response, I'll set it up and send the info. I'll need to know by September 5th, as the deadline is September 7th.


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Wishing you all the best of luck in your publishing ventures!
Voxxylady

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