Copyright: How to Protect Your Work.
Some where along the way someone started the rumor that by simply writing a piece a writer automatically has the copyright--that US Copyrights are unnecessary to protect your work. I have also heard that the process is very complicated. All three are untrue. Mailing a copy to yourself and leaving it unopened to keep the postal stamp valid is call the poor man's copyright. It is a good temporary way of protecting your work, however it is only temporary. Accidents do happen and once the seal is broken, the protection has been invalidated. The only truly safe way to legal protect your work is to get a US copyright.
First, what is a copyright? It is legal proof of when and who created an original work. Whether it literary, dramatic, musical or artistic it falls under copyright protection. Owning the copyright means you have the legal right of deciding who and when the work may be distributed, copied, or performed publicly. This doesn’t mean if you are singing to the radio or if you loan your copy of a book to someone that you will be sued. However, if you start making copies of a Harry Potter books and selling them as your own, legal representatives of JR Rowlings who will take great issue with you. Any time you represent another’s efforts as your own you are stealing from them and cheating yourself. Everyone has a creative voice--something inside them that only they can share--if you usurp someone else’s creativity, you deny yourself and cheat the world of your special perspective.
However, there are ways to refer to another’s work without violating the copyright. Always make sure you give full credit to the creator of the work. It’s usually best to keep it enclosed within quotes or only used as a reference. But footnotes are also acceptable as long as they are clearly marked and easily accessible. In one article, I compared the lyrics of a song to the spiritual journey of a generation. I immediately opened the piece by giving credit to the author. Not only did it protect me, but it gave the reader a reference point. Quotes need the proper punctuation as well as the source information. To do other would only reflect badly on you.
I don't know who started it and really don't care. The fact is that writing a piece guarantees you nothing. It can be fun. It can be healing. It can be exciting. However, putting ink to paper doesn’t give you any legal standing. Even if your work is read by others before it is sent out, doesn’t mean it will not be challenged. On the opposite site, it doesn’t mean it will be either. What it does mean is that you aren’t protected. As of September 2006, it cost 45.00 to register a literary piece. If you are the sole author and the piece hasn't been previously copyrighted you can use Short Form TX. It is a single sheet that will probably take you longer to print up than to fill out. If there are multiple authors or other copyrights involved you will need to use Form TX. It is a longer form, but just as simple to fill out. The US Copyright site address is http://www.copyright.gov/
For smaller pieces, such as short stories or articles, I don’t individually copyright; instead, I tack them on to larger pieces and make a notation on the application. However, when you get over ten thousands words you are approaching a novella and that can be worth it to spend the money for an official copyright. Most smaller pieces are written to be published either online or in a magazine format. Once they are published, you have some protection. The publication date is evidence of your claim of ownership, but it is not proof. However, most smaller works are safe. The cost to fight for them is usually greater than they are worth. In addition, once you have a track record, your style will help protect you from someone else claiming your work. Everyone has their own voice, which is very difficult to imitate. Word usage and sentence structure are individual; it what makes every writer unique.
Before sending out any larger than a novella, I send out the paperwork and wait two weeks. Once the paper work reaches the Copyright offices, it is valid; however, receiving the paperwork can take up to four months. If you send it certified return receipt, the returned postcard can temporarily valid your claim of copyright. In this way, I can start approaching publishers, agents or movie producers and honestly say I have a copyright on the piece. In another place, I will describe the dark side of publishing; not everyone in the business is ethical or honest. By protecting my work ahead of time, I insure it will be protected from the beginning. In addition, there are some places that will not even look at work without proof of copyright. People in the film industry have been burned so many times that it is necessary to either have a US Copyright or to have the work registered with the Writers Guild.
Another way to protect your work is to register it with the Writers Guild. There are offices on both the east and west coasts of the United States. As far as I know, the Guild registration only offers protection in the USA. However, the length of the protection is shorter than a US Copyright. The Guild registration is valid for five years and can be renewed for an additional fee. As of September
2006, the fee is 20.00 for non-members and 10.00 for members. They also offer the option of filing online, which is quicker than a US Copyright and offers just as much protection. Their site address is http://www.wga.org.
There are some writers who register their work with both. With screenplays and stage plays that is a good idea. The Guild is part of the industries, which makes your work more accessible. The US Copyright gives it additional protection for a longer span of time. Either path is acceptable. But to send out a large project, without protection, is just playing Russian Roulette with you hard work.
For more writing, publishing and promotional tips, please buy my ebook From Blank Page to Book Shelves. It is available on my site at www.theresachaze.com or through the Amazon Kindle program at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Theresa%20Chaze
Showing posts with label copyright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label copyright. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, August 10, 2007
Self-publish Your Ebook for Profit and to Maintain Control
By
Theresa Chaze
Sony launching its new ebook company, Connect, signals a new horizon for electronic books. At one time, Stephen King couldn't successfully sell his work in electronic format; however, with increasing access to more technically friendly readers and more titles becoming available, ebooks are gaining a new popularity. Whereas, the new Sony portable devices will only read books released through Connect, they are in the minority. Most computers and ebook readers will read Adobe's PDF, giving consumers more options. They will not be limited by one company’s release list, but will be able to connect to books published by both publishers and individuals.
Books are now being simultaneously being released in the traditional paper as well as in ebook form. Not only the large traditional publishing houses, but also the smaller independents have found that ebooks can be profitable. However, it is the writers and readers who are benefiting the most. The new technology opens more venues for writers to self publish inexpensively and with a quality product. No longer are they dependant on the whims of editors and publishers to present their work to the reading public. They can publish and distribute their work independent of the established publishing system. It has opened the doors to new writers with fresh ideas to present their work with little overhead.
Whether technically challenged or simply lack of interest, not everyone is capable of converting their book into a PDF file or designing a cover that creates interest in the content. Ebook publishers can be found all over the net. They are as prolific as the POD publishers who have sprung up with the new technology. Yet, like most publishers not only do they charge for the privilege of being connected to them, but they also take a percentage of the profits. In most cases, the author is still required to do all of the marketing and promotion for their work. The publisher merely lists and distributes it. Yet there are other options to relying on others to make your work a success. Valkyrie Publishing provides a formatting conversion service, which translates word documents into PDF files and creates unique graphics for those who are time and technically challenged. Not only for Ebooks, PDF files can be useful for newsletters, ezines, or any document that will be needed to be easily opened by many computers.
Valkyrie Publishing provides a conversion service for writers who would like to publish their ebook and maintain total control over it. Since the author is hiring a service, all rights are retained by the author. This service will provide a way for more authors to publish their work while maintaining total control over the distribution and sales.
In addition, Valkyrie Publishing uses Photoshop and other graphic programs to create covers, which are professional and content appropriate. Using both royalty-free and original graphics, the illustrations are unique to the individual project. Examples of Valkyrie Publishing work can be found at http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/Valkyrie.pdf, http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/SMDwithpict.pdf and www.theresachaze.com. The last site also has contact information.
Dorothy Thompson has released "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook"; it is a comprehensive ebook that not only gives specific ways to promotion you ebook without cost, but she also gives the active links to the sites on which the author can do it. No longer does an author have to rely on professional publicist to get their work noticed by the public; they can do it themselves with the same success and with the enthusiasm only an author can supply. Endorsed by "Mr. Self-Published" Dan Poynter, this eBook explains why self-publishing eBooks is one of the most viable, not to mention profitable, ways of earning income with little or no overhead. From creating a personalized killer guerilla marketing plan to ways to turn your website into a viral marketing machine, this eBook revolutionizes our old way of thinking about publishing and carves a new way to provide authors with an alternative that will provide them with instant results which leads to more profits and self-satisfaction. You can find out more information by visiting http://www.thewriterslife.net/PromoteEbook.html. Dorothy can be contacted at thewriterslife@yahoo.com.
By
Theresa Chaze
Sony launching its new ebook company, Connect, signals a new horizon for electronic books. At one time, Stephen King couldn't successfully sell his work in electronic format; however, with increasing access to more technically friendly readers and more titles becoming available, ebooks are gaining a new popularity. Whereas, the new Sony portable devices will only read books released through Connect, they are in the minority. Most computers and ebook readers will read Adobe's PDF, giving consumers more options. They will not be limited by one company’s release list, but will be able to connect to books published by both publishers and individuals.
Books are now being simultaneously being released in the traditional paper as well as in ebook form. Not only the large traditional publishing houses, but also the smaller independents have found that ebooks can be profitable. However, it is the writers and readers who are benefiting the most. The new technology opens more venues for writers to self publish inexpensively and with a quality product. No longer are they dependant on the whims of editors and publishers to present their work to the reading public. They can publish and distribute their work independent of the established publishing system. It has opened the doors to new writers with fresh ideas to present their work with little overhead.
Whether technically challenged or simply lack of interest, not everyone is capable of converting their book into a PDF file or designing a cover that creates interest in the content. Ebook publishers can be found all over the net. They are as prolific as the POD publishers who have sprung up with the new technology. Yet, like most publishers not only do they charge for the privilege of being connected to them, but they also take a percentage of the profits. In most cases, the author is still required to do all of the marketing and promotion for their work. The publisher merely lists and distributes it. Yet there are other options to relying on others to make your work a success. Valkyrie Publishing provides a formatting conversion service, which translates word documents into PDF files and creates unique graphics for those who are time and technically challenged. Not only for Ebooks, PDF files can be useful for newsletters, ezines, or any document that will be needed to be easily opened by many computers.
Valkyrie Publishing provides a conversion service for writers who would like to publish their ebook and maintain total control over it. Since the author is hiring a service, all rights are retained by the author. This service will provide a way for more authors to publish their work while maintaining total control over the distribution and sales.
In addition, Valkyrie Publishing uses Photoshop and other graphic programs to create covers, which are professional and content appropriate. Using both royalty-free and original graphics, the illustrations are unique to the individual project. Examples of Valkyrie Publishing work can be found at http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/Valkyrie.pdf, http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/SMDwithpict.pdf and www.theresachaze.com. The last site also has contact information.
Dorothy Thompson has released "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook"; it is a comprehensive ebook that not only gives specific ways to promotion you ebook without cost, but she also gives the active links to the sites on which the author can do it. No longer does an author have to rely on professional publicist to get their work noticed by the public; they can do it themselves with the same success and with the enthusiasm only an author can supply. Endorsed by "Mr. Self-Published" Dan Poynter, this eBook explains why self-publishing eBooks is one of the most viable, not to mention profitable, ways of earning income with little or no overhead. From creating a personalized killer guerilla marketing plan to ways to turn your website into a viral marketing machine, this eBook revolutionizes our old way of thinking about publishing and carves a new way to provide authors with an alternative that will provide them with instant results which leads to more profits and self-satisfaction. You can find out more information by visiting http://www.thewriterslife.net/PromoteEbook.html. Dorothy can be contacted at thewriterslife@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Valkyrie Publishing--a new e-publishing house
Valkyrie Publishing--a new e-publishing house
By
Theresa Chaze
Valkyrie Publishing provides a formatting conversion service, which translates word documents into PDF files and creates unique graphis fro those who are time and technically challenged. Not only for ebooks, PDF files can be usesful for newletters, ezines, or any document that will be needed to be easily opened by many computers.
An advantage electronic publishing has over print is that graphic can be added through out the text without much additional cost. A nearly unlimited amount of elaborate graphics can be added giving each book a unique visual experience. No longer are authors limited to what can be printed on the page. Instead, they are only restrainted by the length and depth of their imagination.
As many have already realized using the free online service to convert their document into a PDF file doesn't always happen easily. Sometimes the formatting process moves paragraphs and chapters so they no longer properly aligned on the page. Valkyrie Publishing checks the placement before returning it to the author for formatting errors. In addition, the documents are ad free. Since the author is hiring a service, all rights are retained by the author. This service will provide a way for more authors to publish their work while maintaining total control over the distribution and sales.
Graphics will be composed using Photoshop by using of both royalty free components as well as original art. The image will be returned in a jpeg format in the best quality possible. From ebook covers to ezines, Valkyrie Publishing will provide unique art that will make your project look professional. I also have the capability of adding your graphics as is or I could modify them to your specifications
There are also other uses for PDF files. Newsletters and ezines are becoming more technically advanced as they become more popular. By converting to a PDF file, the publisher has the option of either sending the file out in the body of an email or uploading the file onto their server and sending out the address. By doing the later, it increases readership possibilities as it makes the smaller email and removes the need for an attachment. It's a simple and easy way of distributing newsletters and press releases. However, any documents that are going to shared or read on many different computers will benefit from being converted. Employers are now accepting job applications online and require the resumes to be submitted in as a PDF file. On my site, instead of having pages and pages of pictures of my kids and gardens, I created PDF files of each category and posted the link on my site. It makes the site load faster and gives a more quality look to the presentation.
The costs:
Small projects: 1-10 pages $5.00
Ebooks: The first 100 pages 40.00 and 10.00 for every 50 additional pages.
newsletter and ezines under 100 pages: flat rate of $25.00 each issue.
Graphics: It will depend on how complex the image.
Referral fee: I will pay ten percent for all referrals once payment has been received.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Copyright--A Writers Self Defense
By
Theresa Chaze
Some where along the way someone started the rumor that by simply writing a piece a writer automatically has the copyright--that US Copyrights are unnecessary to protect your work. I have also heard that the process is very complicated. All three are untrue. Mailing a copy to yourself and leaving it unopened to keep the postal stamp valid is call the poor man's copyright. It is a good temporary way of protecting your work, however it is only temporary. Accidents do happen and once the seal is broken, the protection has been invalidated. The only truly safe way to legal protect your work is to get a US copyright.
First, what is a copyright? It is legal proof of when and who created an original work. Whether it literary, dramatic, musical or artistic it falls under copyright protection. Owning the copyright means you have the legal right of deciding who and when the work may be distributed, copied, or performed publicly. This doesn’t mean if you are singing to the radio or if you loan your copy of a book to someone that you will be sued. However, if you start making copies of a Harry Potter books and selling them as your own, legal representatives of JR Rowlings who will take great issue with you. Any time you represent another’s efforts as your own you are stealing from them and cheating yourself. Everyone has a creative voice--something inside them that only they can share--if you usurp someone else’s creativity, you deny yourself and cheat the world of your special perspective.
However, there are ways to refer to another’s work without violating the copyright. Always make sure you give full credit to the creator of the work. It’s usually best to keep it enclosed within quotes or only used as a reference. But footnotes are also acceptable as long as they are clearly marked and easily accessible. In one article, I compared the lyrics of a song to the spiritual journey of a generation. I immediately opened the piece by giving credit to the author. Not only did it protect me, but it gave the reader a reference point. Quotes need the proper punctuation as well as the source information. To do other would only reflect badly on you.
I don't know who started it and really don't care. The fact is that writing a piece guarantees you nothing. It can be fun. It can be healing. It can be exciting. However, putting ink to paper doesn’t give you any legal standing. Even if your work is read by others before it is sent out, doesn’t mean it will not be challenged. On the opposite site, it doesn’t mean it will be either. What it does mean is that you aren’t protected. As of September 2006, it cost 45.00 to register a literary piece. If you are the sole author and the piece hasn't been previously copyrighted you can use Short Form TX. It is a single sheet that will probably take you longer to print up than to fill out. If there are multiple authors or other copyrights involved you will need to use Form TX. It is a longer form, but just as simple to fill out. The US Copyright site address is http://www.copyright.gov/
For smaller pieces, such as short stories or articles, I don’t individually copyright; instead, I tack them on to larger pieces and make a notation on the application. However, when you get over ten thousands words you are approaching a novella and that can be worth it to spend the money for an official copyright. Most smaller pieces are written to be published either online or in a magazine format. Once they are published, you have some protection. The publication date is evidence of your claim of ownership, but it is not proof. However, most smaller works are safe. The cost to fight for them is usually greater than they are worth. In addition, once you have a track record, your style will help protect you from someone else claiming your work. Everyone has their own voice, which is very difficult to imitate. Word usage and sentence structure are individual; it what makes every writer unique.
Before sending out any larger than a novella, I send out the paperwork and wait two weeks. Once the paper work reaches the Copyright offices, it is valid; however, receiving the paperwork can take up to four months. If you send it certified return receipt, the returned postcard can temporarily valid your claim of copyright. In this way, I can start approaching publishers, agents or movie producers and honestly say I have a copyright on the piece. In another place, I will describe the dark side of publishing; not everyone in the business is ethical or honest. By protecting my work ahead of time, I insure it will be protected from the beginning. In addition, there are some places that will not even look at work without proof of copyright. People in the film industry have been burned so many times that it is necessary to either have a US Copyright or to have the work registered with the Writers Guild.
Another way to protect your work is to register it with the Writers Guild. There are offices on both the east and west coasts of the United States. As far as I know, the Guild registration only offers protection in the USA. However, the length of the protection is shorter than a US Copyright. The Guild registration is valid for five years and can be renewed for an additional fee. As of September 2006, the fee is 20.00 for non-members and 10.00 for members. They also offer the option of filing online, which is quicker than a US Copyright and offers just as much protection. Their site address is http://www.wga.org.
There are some writers who register their work with both. With screenplays and stage plays that is a good idea. The Guild is part of the industries, which makes your work more accessible. The US Copyright gives it additional protection for a longer span of time. Either path is acceptable. But to send out a large project, without protection, is just playing Russian Roulette with you hard work.
By
Theresa Chaze
Some where along the way someone started the rumor that by simply writing a piece a writer automatically has the copyright--that US Copyrights are unnecessary to protect your work. I have also heard that the process is very complicated. All three are untrue. Mailing a copy to yourself and leaving it unopened to keep the postal stamp valid is call the poor man's copyright. It is a good temporary way of protecting your work, however it is only temporary. Accidents do happen and once the seal is broken, the protection has been invalidated. The only truly safe way to legal protect your work is to get a US copyright.
First, what is a copyright? It is legal proof of when and who created an original work. Whether it literary, dramatic, musical or artistic it falls under copyright protection. Owning the copyright means you have the legal right of deciding who and when the work may be distributed, copied, or performed publicly. This doesn’t mean if you are singing to the radio or if you loan your copy of a book to someone that you will be sued. However, if you start making copies of a Harry Potter books and selling them as your own, legal representatives of JR Rowlings who will take great issue with you. Any time you represent another’s efforts as your own you are stealing from them and cheating yourself. Everyone has a creative voice--something inside them that only they can share--if you usurp someone else’s creativity, you deny yourself and cheat the world of your special perspective.
However, there are ways to refer to another’s work without violating the copyright. Always make sure you give full credit to the creator of the work. It’s usually best to keep it enclosed within quotes or only used as a reference. But footnotes are also acceptable as long as they are clearly marked and easily accessible. In one article, I compared the lyrics of a song to the spiritual journey of a generation. I immediately opened the piece by giving credit to the author. Not only did it protect me, but it gave the reader a reference point. Quotes need the proper punctuation as well as the source information. To do other would only reflect badly on you.
I don't know who started it and really don't care. The fact is that writing a piece guarantees you nothing. It can be fun. It can be healing. It can be exciting. However, putting ink to paper doesn’t give you any legal standing. Even if your work is read by others before it is sent out, doesn’t mean it will not be challenged. On the opposite site, it doesn’t mean it will be either. What it does mean is that you aren’t protected. As of September 2006, it cost 45.00 to register a literary piece. If you are the sole author and the piece hasn't been previously copyrighted you can use Short Form TX. It is a single sheet that will probably take you longer to print up than to fill out. If there are multiple authors or other copyrights involved you will need to use Form TX. It is a longer form, but just as simple to fill out. The US Copyright site address is http://www.copyright.gov/
For smaller pieces, such as short stories or articles, I don’t individually copyright; instead, I tack them on to larger pieces and make a notation on the application. However, when you get over ten thousands words you are approaching a novella and that can be worth it to spend the money for an official copyright. Most smaller pieces are written to be published either online or in a magazine format. Once they are published, you have some protection. The publication date is evidence of your claim of ownership, but it is not proof. However, most smaller works are safe. The cost to fight for them is usually greater than they are worth. In addition, once you have a track record, your style will help protect you from someone else claiming your work. Everyone has their own voice, which is very difficult to imitate. Word usage and sentence structure are individual; it what makes every writer unique.
Before sending out any larger than a novella, I send out the paperwork and wait two weeks. Once the paper work reaches the Copyright offices, it is valid; however, receiving the paperwork can take up to four months. If you send it certified return receipt, the returned postcard can temporarily valid your claim of copyright. In this way, I can start approaching publishers, agents or movie producers and honestly say I have a copyright on the piece. In another place, I will describe the dark side of publishing; not everyone in the business is ethical or honest. By protecting my work ahead of time, I insure it will be protected from the beginning. In addition, there are some places that will not even look at work without proof of copyright. People in the film industry have been burned so many times that it is necessary to either have a US Copyright or to have the work registered with the Writers Guild.
Another way to protect your work is to register it with the Writers Guild. There are offices on both the east and west coasts of the United States. As far as I know, the Guild registration only offers protection in the USA. However, the length of the protection is shorter than a US Copyright. The Guild registration is valid for five years and can be renewed for an additional fee. As of September 2006, the fee is 20.00 for non-members and 10.00 for members. They also offer the option of filing online, which is quicker than a US Copyright and offers just as much protection. Their site address is http://www.wga.org.
There are some writers who register their work with both. With screenplays and stage plays that is a good idea. The Guild is part of the industries, which makes your work more accessible. The US Copyright gives it additional protection for a longer span of time. Either path is acceptable. But to send out a large project, without protection, is just playing Russian Roulette with you hard work.
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