Hello, everyone! I learned a very hard, but valuable lesson about a week ago...I posted a poem on a bogus website and it was stolen! Now I'm wanting to submit a short story on "Inkspotters" or "Inkspot"...Is this a legit site? I wanted to find the site again and get the right address....guess what?? I can't find it! I'm hoping someone out there knows! Thanks,
Rose

Rose I just "googled" Inkspot and found an article that says Xlibris closed Inkspot down in February, 2001. Not sure if that's "real" information but there are LOTS of other places you can submit your short story. If you want a good spot to check someone out before submitting - just to see if there have been any reported problems - check here:

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/

One of the best "watch dog" sites for writers ou there.

Again - GOOD LUCK!

Rose, always copyright your material! Nowadays, it's a must!

Songbird, I was told that in the US that your material was copyrighted when you penned it on paper...I thought that sounded kinda "hokey"...so, do I copyright it before I submit it to anyone? I'm sorry to sound so dumb, but I'm brand new at this!
thanks, Rose

Pam, thanx for the great website! It will be most useful! God Bless!
Rose

Rose,
Here is a site that has some info that would be useful to you. You can bookmark it and read at your leisure since it has so much!

http://www.copyright.gov/

JJ

Rose, I'm so sorry. There are so many scams out there, they seem to run rampant with poets. Check out preditors & editors. They are your last line of defense when it comes to sorting out who's legitimate or not.

Well, to a certain point, copyright is yours since you create it. But if it is not registered, it's difficult when a claim arises.

But, yeah, a good thing to do is organize your writing and send it to the copyright office, even if it's not meant to become a book.

You can name it just for the sake of records, and send it with the $30.00 fee. That ensures you have your material registered, and should any claim arise, you have proof it is yours.

It takes a few months to get back the certificate, but it's effective on the postmarked date-when you send it in.
It is definitely worth it!!! And it gives you peace of mind.

Registered with the copyright office or not, you still need to be careful where you post your writing!

But we learn as we go, so you're not alone, as frustratring as your experience is.

Hope this helps!

SONGBIRD, could you tell me where to mail my $30.00 fee for copyright? And can I copyright something like a workshop series I'm planning to publish on my website?
Thanks for everything,
Rose

Thanx, JawJaw, for the copyright site! I bookmarked it and it will be MOST helpful! Gotta go!
Rose