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#270358 09/21/06 03:41 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
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Hello I am new here. I have a question and I am hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction.

I have an idea for a book. What is the first step I should take. I don't want anyone to use my idea, so is there like a process I must go through to secure my idea? Also do I just keep writing my book and when I feel I am done start looking at that time on what to do next or should that be done now. Well as u can see I am lost here so any guidance would be great.

Thank you
Sandy

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#270359 09/21/06 11:37 AM
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Is it fiction or non-fiction?

If it's fiction, keep writing, and rewriting. Join a writing group germane to the subject of the book. i.e., mystery, children's, SciFi, etc. It's better to have those within your genre as peer review. Have them give you a fresh eye to your manuscript, first few chapters, etc.

Then when the manuscript is to your liking, you can send it to the Library of Congress for copyright registration. They recently upped the fee to $45 =O

You do not have to do the above, tho: It is already copyright once you put pen to paper.

However, please note that you cannot copyright an "idea." You can only copyright works. Ideas must be trademarked and its a lengthy expensive process and not necessary for books in early stages (if at all). i.e., only something with wide mass audience appeal such as Tolkien would bother with copyrighting names like Gandalf, the word Hobbit, etc.

If it's non-fiction, take a course in how to write a book proposal. A book proposal can be shopped to agents and publishers without being totally complete. However, you must do a bit of work and have justification for why YOU should write this nonfiction book. Peruse the web and you will find much resourcewise as to how to do this.


Darling Poor
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#270360 09/21/06 10:56 PM
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Thank you so much for the information. I Had no idea where to start.

Sandy

#270361 09/21/06 11:17 PM
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Sandy, you can't protect the idea, as such, but your particular take on it, the way you present it (the actual text you write), is what would be unique and protected by copyright. You also can't copyright titles, either, which is why there are several books and movies of the same name.

#270362 09/23/06 08:45 AM
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Wolf
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Also go to your public library or to the bookstore and look for a book called "The Writer's Market"

It will tell you what publishing places are accepting what type of manuscripts and if you need an agent or not. The book has a listing of agents as well.

It's a pretty informative book. Pretty expensive too but is in the reference section of your local library


Vance Rowe
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#270363 09/23/06 06:56 PM
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If your idea is for a nonfiction book, I'd suggest first doing some market research -- both to discover if a market exists for the information you intend to present and if that niche is already filled with competitors (or not). This is less of a problem for novels. In some genres, duplicates are churned out at a tremendous rate.

Good luck!

#270364 09/26/06 09:14 AM
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Shark
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I saw Writers Market 2007 in Chapters yesterday, and it looks fabulous! Packed with information and publishers, a huge resource for both nonfiction and fiction writers.


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