Comments for Working Titlez

Comment on The Non-Case of the Stolen Manuscript by Sue Campbell

Sue Campbell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:03:55 +0000

Excellent explanation of a much misunderstood concept. You wrote it, it’s yours—simple. Another way writers can protect their work if they are so scared is to email it to themselves. Or print it out and send it to themselves registered mail, but don’t unseal the envelope when it comes. Both of these methods should hold up in court.

As a writer participating in an open and welcoming critique group, I hear this fear from new writers all the time. They are afraid to post excerpts online, which may or may not be a legitimate concern. But also I have seen people fearful of submitting work to the writing group, where let’s face it, we are all in the same boat! I have said many times to these paranoid sorts, we’re not going to steal your work, we’re here to get our own work critiqued. Some are even reluctant to share their IDEAS for their stories, as if we’d write anything even recognizable to them. Nonsense.

To prove it, give a writing prompt to any group of people and see the diversity of written works that result. NO ONE will write the same piece that you will, it is filtered through your brain, your life experiences, and your beliefs—not to mention your writing style and ability. So calm down and share with your support community.

And stop putting the little © symbol on every darn page! Really, it’s annoying.

Comment on That Great Sucking Sound Inspires Poet by Sue Campbell

Sue Campbell — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:49 +0000

Funny! If only my floors WERE really clean!

Comment on And Dreamygirl Takes the Gold! by kany

kany — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:38:12 +0000

muchas felicidades a mi cuñado se lo merece pues el tiene talento y nos da mucho gusto aqui a toda la familia y estamos felices y orgullosos de el

saludos JORGE
,
AQUI LOS ESPERAMOS EN SINALOA PARA FESTEJAR

Comment on Technology Changes Book Manufacturing by Sue Campbell

Sue Campbell — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:04:41 +0000

This is a very interesting and informative article. I’m going to refer my writing groups and clients to it, as I get these kinds of questions all the time.

Comment on Danny Gans Biography Website Live! by pattie

pattie — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:35:01 +0000

i remember when he passed, they issued a statement about the release of his book and following the book, a dvd of his show. i see no mention of a dvd and have checked every website about it – will there be a dvd of his show. i am a east coast person but every year went to vegas and saw him – we were sadden to hear of his passing but i would enjoy the book and yet would love the dvd of his show so i can watch it and remember the talent that is no longer on the strip

Comment on Final Lead Rule Announced by carolynhayesuber

carolynhayesuber — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:43:18 +0000

Well, even if lazy parents DID let their children chew on pre-1985 books, they STILL don’t have lead levels anywhere near what could be deemed dangerous. A kid would have to eat their way through a mountain of books and they’d likely just have a tummy ache.

Comment on The Google Settlement . . . Isn’t Settled Yet by carolynhayesuber

carolynhayesuber — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:44:39 +0000

Tom, It definitely has me scratching my head (and many others with bigger heads than mine). How do you reconcile new technologies with the ability to share information with the masses (and is that information that “wants to be free”?) with the rights of the individuals who created it? Maybe in a New World Utopia where all our needs are met, people will create for the pure joy of creation. But in today’s world, starving writers need to eat! Then there’s the issue of putting all that power/information in the custody of one humongous entity. I already believe that much of the publishing world’s woes are related to the bigger is better mentality and the strangulation of indie bookstores and squeezing out of the marketplace of all but the biggest NY publishers. And don’t get me started on the limited offerings at the Big Four of book sales (Target, Walmart, Sam’s, Costco) where people who buy books . . . buy books. Get thee to a real bookstore . . . or library . . . PLEASE!

Comment on Every Day is a Brand New Day by andrea

andrea — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:42:31 +0000

your book made me feel like i was with you i love it

Comment on Final Lead Rule Announced by Sue Campbell

Sue Campbell — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:06:43 +0000

Old library books “pulled and pulped,” seriously? I’m outraged.

It’s true libraries which are perpetually underfunded and understaffed will never be able to afford testing, or restocking with more recently printed classics.

Whatever happened to personal responsibility? What conscientious parent lets their child chew on a library book? Does this mean that our kids will no longer be able to enjoy the classic picture books: The Cat in the Hat, Good Night Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, and my personal favorite, Harold and the Purple Crayon? Unacceptable. And if the powers that be running scared from the pack of greedy lawyers who conceived this have any cojones they will stop it short of this illogical conclusion.

Nothing short of our culture is at stake.

Comment on The Google Settlement . . . Isn’t Settled Yet by Tom Fay

Tom Fay — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:56:57 +0000

It is a weighty problem indeed. It is one that will have impact on the written word potentially for generations. Even when copyright is not an issue, the “commodity” aspect of all of these books controlled by one entity is somewhat staggering.