My Own Journey, Part 3: I Want My Rights!

 Wow, folks. Time sure flies when you're having fun, what?

Okay, I got so wrapped up in things I haven't had time to continue my story.

Bear in mind, this isn't about me; it's about you and choices you have of which you may not know.

This week, let's talk about rights.

In my day job, I have to be acutely aware of Federal Aviation Regulations: What they mean, how they intersect, how they apply to keeping passengers and crew safe in the air at all times. And what I have found over 40 years of experience is this: If you know what to look for, the whole mess clears up quite nicely.

What I see a lot of vanity and hybrid publishers sell is this: "Keep your rights!" This is how they get you hooked into their scams. You get to keep 100% of your rights.

Let's looks at that for a moment. There are different kinds of rights to talk about:

Copyright:

This is created from the moment you put words to screen, or paper, or however you choose to write. This is yours, period, unless you specifically sell it, which is stupid. You, as the creator, own copyright until 70 years after your death. Period. Copyright means using any direct quote from your story, or using your characters from your story. No one can do anything with those without your permission. Of course, there is "Fair Use." But let's stick with the basics.

Publishing Rights:

This is what your are negotiating with your publisher. The contract you may (or may not) sign is for PUBISHING RIGHTS, not copyright. Remember, you own the copyright.

Publishing rights would include:

1. eBook publishing rights. The right to publish your work in eBook format, may it be Nook or Kindle, or anything of that sort in any electronic format.
2. Print publishing rights. This is publishing in paperback, or hardback editions. Each type gets its own rights, plus its own ISBN.
3. Foreign Language rights: This would be your work in any foreign language, whether it be French, Swahili, German, or Eastern Slobovian. It doean't matter. Each language must be specified. Each gets its own ISBN, and its own negotiable rights.
4. Movie rights: This is your golden ticket, if you agree to let Hollywood butcher your story. I've heard of contracts that were signed, cash handed over, and the project shelved. Just to have someone else pick up the ball five years later. Another contract is signed, money paid, and the project shelved again. This can go on indefinitely, with a copyright holder getting paid multiple times before the movie is actually made. New contract, new paycheck.

Let's look at copyright a little closer: According to the US copyright office, ideas are not protected by copyright. Stories are protected.

Let's say you submit your Fantasy Romance Thriller Science-Fiction Suspense Detective novel on a critique website for polishing. Someone says, "Hey, I like that idea! I'm going to take it!"

Their story will not be your story. It may be your plot, your storyline. But they will most certainly not tell it in your voice, with your style. It's NOT THE SAME STORY. Do you see?

Your copyright is your copyright. It's the right that is reserved to you alone, for the story you tell. All other rights are negotiable.

But NEVER sign away your copyright.

Okay?