Some questions - Writers Forum

TheIrishAvenger · 09-15-2005, 09:16 PM

Hi, newbie here. I'm gonna unload some questions on you guys. I'm getting to the point where so many people have encouraged me to publish my stuff, so I bought a copy of Poet's Market and Writer's Market. I have some questions.

1.) In Poet's Market, many publishers say they pay in "copies" or "contributors copies". What does this mean? Does it mean the price of an issue multiplied by the number of copies specified? Does it mean simply what it says, and I get shipped copies of their publication which I have to then go sell, or what? Probably an idiotic question.

2.) I'm paranoid about sending my stuff to publishers because I don't want it stolen or to lose rights to it and have it end up somewhere published at my expense, and all my work having been for nought. This question mostly applies to works that may be rejected. Is this an irrational fear? Am I being too paranoid? What should I watch out for when I send a manuscript in for consideration?

I think that's all I have for now. Thanks a lot for any advice you could give. I think I'll go post a piece or two and see what people think.

Irish

journyman161 · 09-15-2005, 09:32 PM

Well, there's better experts than me for this, but they may be a while coming online.

1. I'd be wary of the 'copies' thing. I think that means they sell what they can & pay you your cut in copies of the publication. Not sure though

2. Stick with reputable publishers & you should ahve no problems. You could try registering your mail to ensure you have proof etc. but they aren't in business to steal works from authors & if your work is good enought to rip off, they're going to want you on the books for further sales.

Go through the publishing threads here on WF; most of your worries are addressed there & answered by those with a lot of experience in the field.

Selorian · 09-15-2005, 09:53 PM

Hello, glad to have you here at WF, IrishAvenger! I'm not an expert on these things either but do have some idea on the way things work.

1) It means exactly what it says when they say 'Pay in contributers copies'. This is a fairly common practice and is actually a very good avenue for newbies to take to get their name out there and a list of published work started. Don't expect to get paid a lot to begin with, but copies are payment and experience.

2) As soon as you write something it is copyrighted to you. If too worried, then check into actually getting a copyright. I would say the same as Journeyman, I doubt you have very much to worry about if working with reputable publishers. If they are listed in the two books you mentioned, chances are good that they are reputable.

Good luck and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate asking.

mammamaia · 09-16-2005, 10:54 AM

i mentor plenty of aspiring poets/writers, so will give you what i tell them...

1.) In Poet's Market, many publishers say they pay in "copies" or "contributors copies". What does this mean? Does it mean the price of an issue multiplied by the number of copies specified? Does it mean simply what it says, and I get shipped copies of their publication which I have to then go sell, or what? Probably an idiotic question.

...neither... it just means they'll give you 1 or more copies for you to do what you want with [save or give to family member/friend]... won't be more than a couple in most cases... that's in lieu of pay... and it's standard for many small publications... even for some of the prestigious literary reviews... it's nothing to shy away from, if the publication is one you'd like to see your work in...

...it does count as being 'published' although not quite as much to brag about as being paid in hard cash...

2.) I'm paranoid about sending my stuff to publishers because I don't want it stolen or to lose rights to it and have it end up somewhere published at my expense, and all my work having been for nought. This question mostly applies to works that may be rejected. Is this an irrational fear?

...yes...

Am I being too paranoid?

...yes... your work is protected by copyright the moment you complete it and put your name on it... no one running a magazine is going to 'steal' it... what would they gain?... it's not nobel prize material yet, right?... and even if a book ms was, they couldn't publish it and get away with it...

What should I watch out for when I send a manuscript in for consideration?

...check out the publication/publisher carefully... go over their entire website, see what their guidelines are, how much they pay, whose work they publish, etc.... and check them out at 'preditors and editors' and 'writers beware' to see if any complaints have been lodged... also do a google search to see if any have been posted in writers' forums...

...that's about it... just be sure you target only those venues that publish the kind of work you have to offer... and query first, if unsolicited submissions aren't accepted...

good luck!... love and hugs, maia

TheIrishAvenger · 09-16-2005, 10:01 PM

Ahhhh...I'm greatly enlightened! Thank you all for that!

Irish

Catsmart · 09-19-2005, 01:53 PM

If you want to ensure your copyright, here's a simple thing that I do. I send one copy of my manuscript to myself, keep it in its envelope with the postdate and such on it, as evidence. I never send out scripts in email to publishers, but I will keep evidence of all communication between third parties (proofreaders, editors, etc.) in my mailbox. I always make sure that the proofreader/editor has confirmed by mail that he/she is going to read my story or book before sending it out. That's basically all you can do. But when you choose good publishers and agents, they won't rip you off. They can't afford to.

mammamaia · 09-19-2005, 02:09 PM

sorry, cat, but that's an old wives tale... unless you're in the uk, sending a ms to yourself has absolutely no standing in court... see the official word on this, at www.copyright.com ...

i wish this nonsense would die its well-deserved death...

it IS a good idea to always keep your original notes and early draft... but plagiarism of anything but screenplays happens so rarely, it's not worth losing sleep over... all work is copyrighted automatically when it's completed and legit publications don't steal people's work...

so, just check out the folks you intend to send any to, first... look over their website, see if they're listed in preditors and editors, with WGA, AAR, or whatever...

Julianne · 09-19-2005, 06:24 PM

Cat, ditto what maia said about the "poor man's copyright." It's not valid a U.S. court.

Catsmart · 09-20-2005, 02:47 AM

thanks for the heads up. I honestly thought that it it was some sort of validation, and I must say that I only do it for books and things that I think are worth publishing one day. I guess we all depend on publishers' good will anyhow, right?

mammamaia · 09-20-2005, 10:15 AM

if you're really concerned, you can register your copyright and archive your work at wga [writers guild of america]... many writers do that in lieu of loc [library of congress] registration, which takes a lot longer and will be done by the publisher later, anyway... loc reg'n also dates the work, which is not a good thing, if it takes a long time to sell...