tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post8152681160256499745..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Words that should never appear in your query...Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80712013330761276352012-05-23T20:31:47.722-04:002012-05-23T20:31:47.722-04:00So impressed! Both a Jason Bourne AND Star Trek r...So impressed! Both a Jason Bourne AND Star Trek reference in here! What a great post :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68962558848251819352012-05-23T13:55:36.360-04:002012-05-23T13:55:36.360-04:00See . . . a great agent always does the necessary ...See . . . a great agent always does the necessary edits.<br /><br />I'm a lawyer, we always pull our punches.<br /><br />However, self-pubbers, don't register until you've made all your final revisions. Only the actual registered document is protected. All subsequent modifications are not. <br /><br />TerriTerri Lynn Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290316565247120848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91582892839098937412012-05-23T10:43:06.590-04:002012-05-23T10:43:06.590-04:00Whoa, I'm going to start asking more dumb ques...Whoa, I'm going to start asking more dumb questions in the comments sections of blogs. I had no idea I'd get such great answers. Thanks everyone! All my troubles are at rest... because now all I need to do is get published!!???!!??!??Kay Camdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11762981719838800013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54556513977279502412012-05-23T09:26:35.389-04:002012-05-23T09:26:35.389-04:00Terri is right. I'd only edit out the "p...Terri is right. I'd only edit out the "probably" of "if you're self pubbed you should register it yourself" You should.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10669602604202623062012-05-23T08:38:45.484-04:002012-05-23T08:38:45.484-04:00I was in trademark/copyright litigation for 6 year...I was in trademark/copyright litigation for 6 years for my family company. It is an utterly misunderstood portion of the law.<br /><br />And this example shows just how sadly misunderstood. I stopped another writer from doing something similar.<br /><br />"Poor Man's Copyright" doesn't really mean anything.<br /><br />Basically:<br /><br />If you write it, it is yours. With an unregistered copyright, you can possibly get a court to make the other person stop using it and disgorge illegally gotten profits.<br /><br />A registration is needed to collect statutory damages and to ask for legal fees. It is also prima facie proof of the copyright.<br /><br />Self-pubbed, you should probably register it yourself. <br /><br />Professionally pubbed, the publisher will take care of it for you.Terri Lynn Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290316565247120848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12898420010327449272012-05-22T20:05:18.417-04:002012-05-22T20:05:18.417-04:00Kayeleen, I do love finding ways to do that. It fe...Kayeleen, I do love finding ways to do that. It feels like a wink to the reader! ;)Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52119672523941341942012-05-22T19:36:45.433-04:002012-05-22T19:36:45.433-04:00I think I've got it now.
The Borg defined, (i...I think I've got it now.<br /><br />The Borg defined, (insert interrobang) ?! sort-of<br /><br />An outer-worldly derivative-cartilaginous skeletoned being assimilating lesser literaturistic beasts because to resist is to perish!?<br />I’m not sure this means anything but it sure was fun to look up all that crap.<br /> <br />In other words don't try to impress the shark or you're dinner ?!Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80081340773254223602012-05-22T19:06:57.869-04:002012-05-22T19:06:57.869-04:00Ohhhh, okay now I get it...actually I don't.
...Ohhhh, okay now I get it...actually I don't.<br /><br />My Star Trek was with Bill Shatner, tribles and Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy. I can do the Vulcan salute without an accent, BOTH hands, does that count?Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13960033603008004392012-05-22T18:32:03.619-04:002012-05-22T18:32:03.619-04:00I like how your comment about an interrobang ends ...I like how your comment about an interrobang ends with an interrobang. Nicely done.Kayeleen Hamblinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652280450104899423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72427885613438592992012-05-22T18:13:27.632-04:002012-05-22T18:13:27.632-04:00Wry,
Borg is a Star Trek reference. You need to u...Wry,<br /><br />Borg is a Star Trek reference. You need to up your geek titer. :)<br /><br />Here's a youtube link.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYb2a9gDdDIBill Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12727407427730937429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40546545575463457262012-05-22T18:03:50.874-04:002012-05-22T18:03:50.874-04:00Okay, I've never had a problem admitting I don...Okay, I've never had a problem admitting I don't know something but here, in this place it makes me feel all naked, 'butt', I'm going to ask anyway because I'm curious and obviously stupid, "the Borg", ah, what were you refering to?Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35193034245843766482012-05-22T16:43:13.300-04:002012-05-22T16:43:13.300-04:00Thanks for the corrections! I will no longer spend...Thanks for the corrections! I will no longer spend unnecessary $$ at the post office. :) Always like learning something new, and appreciate everyone the writing community for constantly educating me.The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78768334630598683402012-05-22T15:28:30.976-04:002012-05-22T15:28:30.976-04:00Ok, guys, don't post stories here; I'll ju...Ok, guys, don't post stories here; I'll just delete them. <br /><br />Publishers register copyright when the book is published.<br /><br />Your work is protected from the moment you write it.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22068304195856395452012-05-22T14:43:20.887-04:002012-05-22T14:43:20.887-04:00Yahahaha Jason Berne is almost as good as Copy Wri...Yahahaha Jason Berne is almost as good as Copy Write. :D Holy donuts what the heck is a copy write? Is that the brand of copy machines that never breaks down? Or someone who copies what you write? Like a scribe? What store do we get these from? I need me one of them...BPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16407715408242911362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35777915569414513822012-05-22T14:39:45.077-04:002012-05-22T14:39:45.077-04:00I know unsolicited email attachments are another b...I know unsolicited email attachments are another big faux pas, but because you mentioned the BCP (Berne Convention of Punctuationists), I'm really tempted to send you my short story involving Captain Interrobang.<br /><br />But you have enough to read as it is, so I shall bow to proper writer/agent email etiquette (and the Borg) and resist.Nate Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690171790664252309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70074144414888166272012-05-22T13:38:54.166-04:002012-05-22T13:38:54.166-04:00Writer Librarian, just so you know, the "Poor...Writer Librarian, just so you know, the "Poor Man's Copyright" doesn't hold any legal water at all. Just be relatively confident that agents have no desire to steal your work. They'd rather represent you than try to be you! :)<br /><br />For those interested in copyright law, check out www.copyright.gov for all the facts.<br /><br />I've never registered a single copyright, but everything I've ever written (including this blog comment) is covered under copyright law. When I finally get to the point where one of my novels will be published (dreamy-eyed staring and sighing up at the heavens), then I'll apply for a registration.Laura Hughes, MittensMorgulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934132671168843593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70596952456886605202012-05-22T13:29:19.655-04:002012-05-22T13:29:19.655-04:00You can't copyright a title. You can't cop...You can't copyright a title. You can't copyright an idea. And agents really don't have time (or the inclination) to steal anything from your query. If they find your query so fascinating that they can't put it down, they will call you and ask to represent you.<br /><br />People, especially unpublished writers, get stressed out by all the wrong things.<br /><br />Write your novel. Write it well. Query agents. No one will "steal your idea". I promise.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19529212553856557062012-05-22T12:11:24.462-04:002012-05-22T12:11:24.462-04:00Perhaps Jason Berne (if that's even his real n...Perhaps Jason Berne (if that's even his real name) is sincerely concerned about his rights to what he writes, copy or otherwise. It is quite a leap of faith to pour your entire being (speaking generally, because who does that ... seriously) into a project and then mail it out to a hundred agents, some of whom may not have the best interest of "the writer" in mind. Not everyone is as true to fin as The Shark.<br /><br />*Colin, thank you and I used to be much more diligent until I came in tenth place in that other contest. Shattered dreams ... busted mouse ... same old story ...Ann Landsbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329447882776216715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80434015007153419232012-05-22T11:55:40.291-04:002012-05-22T11:55:40.291-04:00I've done the "Poor man's Copyright&q...I've done the "Poor man's Copyright", which involves burning your novel to a disc and mailing it to yourself, but never, ever opening it. The postmark is proof that you completed your novel in XXXX year. I'm not sure if this still holds legal water, but it's something I do whenever a finish a novel (even though the drafts of said novels have changed exponentially since).The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37607608193761831252012-05-22T11:24:13.305-04:002012-05-22T11:24:13.305-04:00I'm using interrobang all the time now. Thanks...I'm using interrobang all the time now. Thanks for the new word.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01235832553786202667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31373991949189426402012-05-22T11:13:25.116-04:002012-05-22T11:13:25.116-04:00P.S. - and you don't need to claim the copyrig...P.S. - and you don't need to claim the copyright, nor place the symbol, or anything like that. You have and own the copyright when you create it. Period. (since 1989)Richard Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03330538991049552829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64305258924607792042012-05-22T10:52:10.822-04:002012-05-22T10:52:10.822-04:00Kay - if by "gotten a copyright," you me...Kay - if by "gotten a copyright," you mean registering it with the copyright office, I have not done that. But I have gotten a copyright every time I have written anything. Instantly (at least since 1989). Agreed that the details are complex, but the basics are not. What you create in perceptible form is copyrighted, by you, when you create it.Richard Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03330538991049552829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21154962979656924862012-05-22T10:36:08.797-04:002012-05-22T10:36:08.797-04:00I have a tiny bit of sympathy for this guy. This c...I have a tiny bit of sympathy for this guy. This copyright business has had me baffled since day one. Google it and you'll get anywhere from "copyright any and all writing immediately" to "never copyright until you've signed with an agent".<br /><br />Has anyone here gotten a copyright? When did you do it?Kay Camdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11762981719838800013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27408850934716077832012-05-22T09:26:28.020-04:002012-05-22T09:26:28.020-04:00I wager someone trying to throw around language wi...I wager someone trying to throw around language with you is a bit like my parents trying to throw around technical jargon with me.<br /><br />"So, are you enjoying the ultrabytes and ramming of your new computer? I bet your broadbanding is extra-fast, and you can visit all the wet-sites you want without any leniency whatsoever!"Chrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768990128419496674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39456198728113489102012-05-22T09:20:02.605-04:002012-05-22T09:20:02.605-04:00I thought interrobang was like hallway sex!?
My b...I thought interrobang was like hallway sex!?<br /><br />My bad!Kreggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07229620504046221727noreply@blogger.com