When are copyrights needed?

In the most basic sense, it isn't. Once someone writers something, anything it is intellectual property and it is theirs. This is the idea that a writer or artist creates it, and therefore, they own the manuscript. Once it is written then it is copyrighted. At least this is the most basic explanation.

This may seem at its finest the easiest answer, but it is not. Writers live in a very real world where others, can and do steal ideas. If a writer can not prove they wrote it first, then that is where the problems begin. Who did it first what ideas are the same? What things are important, and most important when where and how. To simplify this, there was the idea of copyrights, giving the date when a copyright was made, or the publishing date.

Many of the traditional publishers will do this automatically. This way they know that the manuscript is protected. They do this as a matter of course for their One of the many books on the subject of traditional writers, Noah Lukeman's The First Five Pages, points to the fact that to have the symbol of copyright of confidential or the word copyright on a manuscript sent to a publisher or agent is a sign of an amateur.

Should a writer want to publish with traditional publishers (Del Rey, Random House, and the hundreds more) this is not the way in which to endear oneself to an editor or agent. There are rules that are unspoken and followed in the mainstream publishing industry. Follow them, and a part of a writer's job is to know them.

What about self publishing?

This is dependant on the package you choose, but again for 75 dollars US a writer can get a Library of Congress number, which isn't a copyright but works like one. There are several self publishers and vanity presses out there.  A copyright will also cost money, in some cases it's about 100-150 dollars. ( I Universe, Lulu, Author House, Lighting Source to namebut a few) Some have better prices than others, so shop around based on a marketing plan the writer has written and needs.

Of course, this is with self-publishing, and it is something to consider. What is more important in self-publishing is editing and content. Book will not be sold if content isn't good. In this case, a writer should concern themselves more with writing and editing than copyrights, until they sign the deal.

What about Copyrights?

It is a valuable tool, and something all writers must at some point think about. This is after all where money will come into play. Write up a marketing plan, and include the pros and cons of copyrights. Here are a few questions writers should ask themselves before getting a copyright:

1) Is this A first draft? If it is don't get a copyright.  Any good writer will tell you that a first draft is great for proving one thing: when the idea came to the paper, or the computer.  Dating your work is important in a first draft. 

2) Will there be any changes? If there are don't get a copyright, as it will be needed again and it is expensive to purchase it.  It might run you a thousand dollars to get it all copyrighted.  That is of course if you are like me, and spend time and effort working to make everything better.

3) Is it time sensitive material? If there is an interview or a world event material being used, consider a copyright, with interviews that can be changed, such as in a historical book think hard before doing so. It depends on the writer and the type of material used. A major world event with a different spin would be something to copyright

4) Is the manuscript completed? If so, and there are no major changes consider one.  As long as you understand that this might not be in your best interest based upon number five.

5) Will it be traditionally published? If as a writer the intent is to traditionally publish, don't get one. This is because the publisher will deal with the buying of the copyright. They will also have you reedit your already edited work.

6) Will it be self-published? Get one. Provided that there are no major changes. If there are you will be needing to buy another copyright to protect this new work. Bear in mind that a copyright will protect it but only so far, as it is a self-published book you will need to check it more often on your own time.

In short, think twice about copyrights for manuscripts, if it is needed, a writer should get it, but one large fundamental piece of advice is this: keep all of your work, and any notes on paper, and computer print out of the work. This will be vital.  I like to keep a few rough drafts around for other work I am doing just in case.  I sometime get an idea from a cut portion of another piece.

As stated before, a copyright is in effect the moment the pen hits the paper, not when it is published. It depends on the writer, the marketing plan and the circumstances of the manuscript which should define the need for a copyright. One more thing yes, the choice to copyright is yours, except in certain cases, but do write up a marketing and business plan in regards to a book before you spend the money in buying a copyright.