QUESTION: Posting Content on Writers Communities

I was looking through some old e-mails and came across a question I received from a fellow writer. After reading through it decided I should share both the question and the answer here on my blog.

A few months back I wrote a post titled Great Websites for Authors. Shortly after I received that question which concerned sites such as writerscafe.org and storywrite.com where writers can share their stories and enter them in category contests.

QUESTION: I've always wondered about those story networking sites such as WriterCafe.org. If you post your stories there does it affect your copyright or publishing rights? Do agents and publishers look down on that as previous publishing or does it make it easier on them because it proves you can build an audience?
I'd love to post my stories somewhere I could get good feedback and network with other readers and writers but I'm so worried it will negatively affect my chances of getting published later.


ANSWER: As far as writerscafe goes I am unsure of their policy on publishing content on their site as I have recently just discovered this website. However, storywrite is a site where I have previously posted stories on. Here is a link to their Terms of Use/Ownership of Content page: http://storywrite.com/home/guide
It's tough to decide if it is worth it to post content on such a public site. If you really just want to get your work out there and want to bypass the stipulation on such sites, I would suggest you post your story on it's own site or devote a blog to it.
First time publication rights on work include posting it on a website no matter if it is your own website on a place like storywrite. So if a company states that they have to have 1st time publication rights you your work, it may stop you from publishing that particular work through them. As far as copyrights go, under law, simply your written word is proof that your work is, well, your work. You cannot copyright an idea, title or pseudonym, only the words you write, in the order they are written can be copyrighted. So take that into consideration as well. Places like StoryWrite claim to copyright your work, and I believe they do that to a certain extent, however, as I said before, they cannot copyright your idea. If someone chooses to come along and nab your basic idea, as long as they change it up and write the story in their own words, that is okay, there is nothing you can do at that point.
As far as gathering an audience goes, on sites like these you have to be an active member to actually attain a gathering of comments or hits, just posting work on the site will not generate a large readership, as with a book, you must sell it to those on the site. On sites like there are not as many readers who visit sites like these, it’s mainly authors hoping to find readers for their work. With a slew of authors and very few actual readers, it’s hard to get a good audience. Usually the authors only read and comment on work published by friends as they are too distracted by keeping up with their own work to scan for stories (especially with how many there are on certain sites). Agents and editors do not usually visit these types of sites (I won't say they never do, but I would bet the percentage is extremely low), so if your hopes are to attract a publishing deal, I wouldn't bother posting on such sites if I were you.
If you just want to get your work out there, I suggest you post it on it's own blog. Although agents and editors do not search blogs in order to find authors (they have the slush pile that takes up the majority of their reading time), but it’s more likely for them to stumble upon it and find it to their liking than if it were posted on such a site as storywrite.com.
If you’re looking for support and assessment of your work, it might it be worth it to look into joining a critiquing group or attend writers conferences where you can have your manuscript dissected by a real editor and you’ll have a great opportunity to meet with other authors. You could even start up your own group this way!
As far as hurting your chances of getting published, it’s hard to say. It really depends on the stipulations of the publishing house and the personal criteria of the agency.

The Copyright And The Idea

Not to go all gloom and doom on you here, but it seems that whenever you turn on the news or talk to your neighbor there is a warning about protecting your house, your identity, your car, your kids because someone is lurking, just waiting for the chance to take these things from you. There is identity protection for your credit cards, alarms for your vehicle and security systems for your house but what about your writing?
We've all heard the term copyright, we know it's important to have and we know we will be issued one when we sign with a publishing house (unless you are one of those people who are really weary of strangers and have already filled out paperwork prior to the submission process). But what does a copyright do for you? First off, many are under the assumption that once they have copyrighted their book that no one can take away their idea. The US Copyright Office does not allow anyone to copyright an idea, title or pseudonym, only the words you write, in the order that they are written can be copyrighted. If someone chooses to come along and nab your basic idea, as long as they change it up and write the story in their own words, that is okay, there is nothing you can do at that point. Just as we can have wizards fighting good and evil in a secret world hidden from mortals, we cannot have our hero marked by a bad guy who has separated his soul seven ways in order to achieve immortality as Ms. Rowling has. No one can coin an idea otherwise only one person could write about brooding vampires stalking mortal girls with whom they fall in love with, because if that were so then Stephanie Meyers (Twilight) and L.J. Smith (Vampire Diaries) would be sh** out of luck.

In order to file for a copyright of your work you will have to go online for their form that you are required to fill out before you are granted a copyright. You will be charged a small fee for this service. However, don't jump so fast to acquire one (unless you are in the publishing process rather it be self-publishing or traditional publishing) because as soon as your work is down on paper you hold your own form of protection over your work. So if you're worried that an agent or editor or a partner in your critique group might steal your work of art, don't, you still hold rights over your work.

Here are a few FAQ from the US Copyright website (for more info check out their website):
What does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

Gift Ideas for the Writers in Your Life

Rather it be a friend, a colleague, or for yourself, here are some great Christmas gift ideas for the writers in your life:

• A magazine subscription:


• For the freelancer The Writer is a great idea


• For non-fiction and novel writers, Writer's Digest


• Anyone who swoons for romance would love Romantic Times Book Review, which also includes access to their website
  


• Books:


• On Writing by Stephen King


• The Writer's Book of Matches: 1,001 Prompts to Ignite Your Fiction (Writers Digest)


• The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work


• Publish Your Nonfiction Book by Sharlene Martin & Anthony Flacco


• 102 Ways to Make Money Writing 1,500 Words or Less


• Creative Block


• The Writer's Block
• This Year's Novel and Short Story Writers Market
  
  


• Tools:


• Digital Voice Recorder


• A fancy or unique Journal to keep notes


• Dragon Naturally Speaking computer software


• A comfy pen or a dashing pen
  
  
• For Historians:


• Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England from 1811-1901
• The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s (Writer's Guides to Everyday Life)
• The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages: The British Isles from 500 to 1500
• The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Renaissance England: From 1485-1649
• Quill Feather, Wood Pen and Ink Set

• Unique Gifts:
• Dolls anyone? Search by Author!
• Funny and quotable sticky notes
• Pandora's Box - to keep your novel ideas!

• Thoughtful Gifts:
• Laptop case or sleeve
• Gift certificate to a bookstore
• A massage
• A new laptop
• Tickets to see an admired author or publishing insider speak
• A gift card to a nice restaurant

News and Such

Harlequin Horizons is now DellArte Press. It wasn't that long ago that (romance) writers everywhere and the agents and editors who love them were up in arms over the controversy. Agent Kristen Nelson posted on her blog, Pub Rants, about RWA's choice to revoked Harlequin’s recognized publisher status.
Bubble Cow wants to know: Would you sack your agent to self publish? Matthew Watkinson did!
Author Jackie Kessler talks about Vanity Presses and vows not to use the term henceforth.
Literary agent Nathan Bransford shares with us The Economics of Publishing.

On another topic, comic chic extraordinaire InkyGirl , or as you might know her through Twitter, InkyElbows, has helped us all out by writing a post on Twitter chats so we all keep up on all the different Hashtags and when they occur.

As followers of my blog you know I am big on author platform (savvy author Christina Katz is also a fan of this topic and her book, Get Known Before the Book Deal is a great read for anyone looking to publish), Writer’s Relief has up a post titled Seven Ways To Build Your Reputation As A Creative Writer. Sounds good to me!

Twitter (Agents/Editors)

There are some really interesting agents and editors who take time out of their busy schedules to tweet about their jobs and the publishing business. #pubtips is a great hashtag for aspiring writers. Agents post their likes and dislikes on the process of submitting.
For those of you who have yet to take the plunge, do it already! It's a great networking tool. Chat it up with authors and pub insiders anytime of the day.
Here are a list of a few great agents and editors to start following on Twitter.

@carenjla @hroot @wendylawton @amblit @sknighteditor @kate_mckean @JanetKGrant @HeatherOsborn @jessregel @JVNLA @RachelleGardner @WolfsonLiterary @caroleagent @DeidreKnight @mikalroy @MarleneStringer @BookEndsKim @Ginger_Clark @DaphneUn @elanaroth @frain @jennyrae @ColleenLindsay @alicepope @pwheeler_agent @DanielLiterary @BostonBookGirl @hollyblanck @HSWLA

**Also, for anyone who knows anything about what's going on with Harlequin Horizons, I want to share this. Really funny: Small Beer Press … Horizons!

Perfectionism

Perfectionism-
Noun
1. A disposition to feel that anything less than perfect is unacceptable; "his perfectionism seemed excessive to his students".

On the cover of every magazine you'll see this time of year includes the article how to achieve the perfect Christmas. The crowds are gathered at the stores hoping to find the perfect gift, the perfect tree, the perfect decorations or Christmas ham. Everyone spends so much time trying to capture the image of the perfect holiday season, filling it with things and parties, an insane amount of time in the kitchen and outside on the Christmas lights, that they miss out on fun times that can only be found when your open to the possibility.

The same goes for our writing. I think that sometimes we move through our story with blinders, intent up crossing the finish line of that perfect story, that we don't take the time to think of all the possibilities, the paths, our story could take. Even if I feel I have a solid outline, I still like to consider any ideas my characters provide me with, even if it means altering the story. Those detours are some of the best times I've spent with my characters.

In order to create a believable character you need to breath life into them, you need to allow their personalities to shine through. Don't stifle your creativity just because the first epiphany seemed perfect, open yourself up. Listen. Perfectionism is overrated, I'd rather add a great scene that needs polished than write a perfect scene that just doesn't capture the essence of the story I want to tell.

This holiday season I'm going to gift myself with an open mind. Not just with my writing but with my personal life as well. I'm going to be open to all the spur-of-the-moment family moments that present themselves to me. You never know, they might also spawn some idea's for my stories!

Why Do You Write?

Have you ever really thought about this question? I mean really think about it? This question is the driving force behind your passion. Everyone has a reason for why they write no matter if you write articles for a magazine, short stories, novels or non-fiction. What is your driving force? I dare you to put it down on paper, no matter if your reason is a famous quote or a whole page full of bullet points, then take it and print it and hang it in a pretty frame on the wall of your office or if your a frequenter of your local cafe then print it out on a business card and laminate it for a special place in your wallet.

I write because if I couldn't release all the pent up ideas that run through my mind then I might go insane. I am never more happy then when I can steal away to my office where I am surrounded by inspiring pictures and music that fits the moods of my characters. Where I can disappear into the lives of my characters and help them see that they truly belong together if they can just open their eyes (author's note: I write romance novels, in case you didn't read my bio). I dream in story lines and look through the world with descriptive glasses. I see a summer storm as a writhing mass of unruly clouds, fighting against each other to gain leverage. Color presents itself to me not as purple and blue but amethyst and cornflower. When I people-watch I don't do it to try and listen in on their conversations but to guess and create a story for them by their actions alone. Songs are not just a beat but a theme song for my books no matter if it's Beethoven or Evanescence. I carry a notebook with me wherever I go. I back up my writing files five times over. I do this because the characters and the story lines I give birth to are my heart and I would be lost without them.