Hi There!

[Jan Fosse]

Hello - I am brand new to this forum, and just wanted to pop in and say hello! My name is Jan Fosse, and I am so glad to find a forum for people who write and think like I do! It gets lonely being the only fantasy writer I know.

I actually have a question, if that's okay to post in this forum - if not, I'm sorry. Do any of you post your writing online, and if so what concerns do you have about idea theft, and what do/can you do to prevent it? I have a blog that I want to post backstory, mythology, etc on, but I don't want to have it snatched by some enterprising word burglar. Thanks for your comments in advance, and now I'm going to go check the rest of this forum out!

 

[Map the Dragon]

Welcome!

If you write something and post it, it's copyrighted. You could go a step furthur and put on your blog that your words are protected. (Copyright Jan Fosse 2011) - or something similar. Also, it wouldn't be hard to prove that you wrote the words first via data tracking and document saving; however, I'm sure a talented hacker could fix that. But, why would they...just to steal some words? I think for the most part you are safe. There are a lot of laws dealing with original, online material. Maybe someone else here can fill in the gaps.

 

[TWErvin2]

Jan Fosse,

Welcome to the forum.

If you go to U.S. Copyright Office a lot of your questions may be answered there.

Note: that ideas cannot be protected by copyright. Anything written/created (print/electronic) for example a song, lyrics, a story or poem or a painted picture, you immediately own the copyright to it. You don't have to register it for it to be yours.

If you are/remain concerned, examine the reason for posting of the material online. What do you have to gain by posting backstory and such prior to a work being published, as opposed to what you feel you might lose if it were stolen?

 

[sashamerideth]

Welcome.

There is also first publishing rights to worry about. Some publishers are funny about stuff put online on a blog or forum. Others are moving into the 21st century with gusto.

 

[Dr.Dorkness]

hi there,

Welcome to Mythicscribes, I hope You enjoy it here, and I look froward to your posts. (perhaps I'll steal some words XD, That was a joke by the way)