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A question for the "real" authors
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Oh and I thought the old adage was, Save backup and often frequently. I had it all wrong. lol
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Every time you write anything in word or any other program it gets a time date stamp. When you save it to a disk it gets another. So a history of these is what protects you. So the old rule is save often, backup frequently.
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Hey thanks Ozmo! So all these writable CDs when downloaded become time/date stamped automatically by the internal workings of my computer or do I have to apply a time/date myself?
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Now days, your stories, artwork, photos, etc are protected the second they are made by the digital millennium copyright act. Mailing it to yourself gives you just that same amount of protection, so it's kind of pointless. An actual copyright to a story can end up being costly, but if you can afford it, it is worthwhile.
I've read of an actual case of multiple plagiarism that has been going on for a while. I know a group is suing the guy, but haven't heard of the outcome yet. Last I saw he had taken and used more than a half-dozen or so pieces from other writers and used them as his own.
Having that actual copyright will make it easier in court if such a thing happens to you, but the DMCA seems to do the trick well enough as long as you can prove the piece is yours. That isn't hard to do with most writers or artists as we become crazy about backing things up. If you don't, I would work out a system where you back things up to CDs or DVDs that you store in a fire safe. This is the same thing as mailing your story back to yourself. It has a time stamp, and that is the key.
Hope this was helpful.
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I have a question now for the professionals. It has to do with copyright. Is it true that all one has to do is mail your manuscript to yourself and leave the envelope sealed and that work is protected under copyright law? I'm afraid I don't have a clue how to protect my ideas and stories from "rip-off". Quick story. In college. Assigned creative writing assignment. Wrote haunting ghost story with a twist (of Lime?). By college journey's end two years later, my story is included under professor's name (complete with character name changes and setting differences) in text book. Now I'm terrified to let go of stories ever since. How do we protect our ideas legally, folks? Some guidance please?
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Write non-fiction and on contract to pay the bills. Write fiction as you can.
Gradually work to shift the balance.
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Writing: you do it because you need to. Even most authors have a real job.
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Originally posted by Craig Wallwork View PostRichard pretty much covered it, RJ, but yeah, there is a tendency for people to ignore that rule and SS anyway. If you get accepted at two places, two places that you really wanted to get into, then ethically it's unfair that you went through the process, and frustrating for the editor you have to apologise to when you say, "Oh, did I submit to you? Sorry, it must have been my partner. They do that sometimes. I really need to change my email password. Sorry."
That said, I'd avoid submitting to them again for a while.
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Originally posted by RJHubbard53 View Postthanks, Richard. Here's another question regarding submissions. Many do not accept simultaneous submissions which means you can only "shop" your story to one place at a time, right? Upon rejection, that story is free to submit to others, right? If I am right on this, it means you have to have many manuscripts and stories ready to go. Do you find yourself writing for a specific market or writing a piece and finding a market?
That said, I'd avoid submitting to them again for a while.
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Originally posted by RJHubbard53 View Postthanks, Richard. Here's another question regarding submissions. Many do not accept simultaneous submissions which means you can only "shop" your story to one place at a time, right? Upon rejection, that story is free to submit to others, right? If I am right on this, it means you have to have many manuscripts and stories ready to go. Do you find yourself writing for a specific market or writing a piece and finding a market?
here is my column on simultaneous submissions:
http://whatdoesnotkillme.com/2009/08/31/simultaneous/
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thanks, Richard. Here's another question regarding submissions. Many do not accept simultaneous submissions which means you can only "shop" your story to one place at a time, right? Upon rejection, that story is free to submit to others, right? If I am right on this, it means you have to have many manuscripts and stories ready to go. Do you find yourself writing for a specific market or writing a piece and finding a market?
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Originally posted by RJHubbard53 View PostI've heard it mentioned here that if a story is posted in a public setting, it is not marketable. Why is that? Also, if one were to have a blog and post their short stories, is that considered self-publication? Is that story then not-marketable to plublishers?
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Originally posted by RJHubbard53 View PostI've heard it mentioned here that if a story is posted in a public setting, it is not marketable. Why is that?
Originally posted by RJHubbard53 View PostAlso, if one were to have a blog and post their short stories, is that considered self-publication? Is that story then not-marketable to plublishers?
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I've heard it mentioned here that if a story is posted in a public setting, it is not marketable. Why is that? Also, if one were to have a blog and post their short stories, is that considered self-publication? Is that story then not-marketable to plublishers?
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I agree, Craig. In hindsight, my initial words were much too harsh--and thus it is not the kiss of death. I have heard it called that though, and that is why the words came to mind.
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