J.’s less tactful and unofficial title for this episode is a nod to Steven Pressfield: “Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit.” While protecting your intellectual property is wise, spending time trying to lock it down is foolish. You will discover how you should be protecting your creative work and more:
- A great book that can help you rethink your author career and build your own personalized definition of success
- What intellectual property is
- Why you probably don’t need to worry about it as much as you think you do
- What you should actually be concerned about concerning your intellectual property
- Some of the strategies the guys recommend for protecting your intellectual property + the importance of seeking proper legal advice if you have serious concerns
Plus, submit your ways and hacks to The Career Author Podcast in the comments section!
The Career Author Podcast is a podcast where co-authors J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon share their struggles and successes as full-time authors, advice for improving your writing craft, and honest discussions of what it takes to build a successful career as an author.
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Comments
11 responses to “The Career Author Podcast: Episode 77 – Nobody Cares”
Morning guys. Two shows in one week. How do you guys find time to write?
Interesting topic. Throughout the years I have come across many people who have said to me, “I have a great idea for a story I’m going to write but I can’t tell it to you in case you steal it.” And then a couple of days later they tell me their idea on pain of death if I steal it. 😂 Never seen any of these brilliant ideas written.
My ways – I have a great way of preventing an editor from stealing my work… 🙂.
I think the idea of registering for copyright protection is a good idea. I wouldn’t want to lose copyright of my shit when the Netflix guys start sniffing around my books.
Great show today and good to see you two together.
Watch out for Netflix! LOL!
Hey! Just a note – traditional publishers don’t copyright your work. The author still is responsible for registering the copyright on their book, at least I was when I signed my trad deal. You’re licensing the work to them to publish, but they don’t (and shouldn’t) own the copyright. If you look at most trad books, the copyright page will show the author as the copyright entity.
Good to know! Thanks for helping to clarify 😉
Yeah, this sent giant red alarms going off it my mind. Never ever ever ever let anyone not you copyright your work. You should totally wait until you have the final version to file for copyright, but YOU are the only one who should have control over the copyright.
Yes. You’re absolutely right.
Just wanted to say I think the new direction, based on the survey, of targeting authors who have written a few books and are trying to take it to the next level, is great. Or maybe I just think that because I fit that description.
-Anyway, thanks.
Thanks, Tom!
Couple comments – not worried about stealing ideas, but there have been some news reports lately of an ‘author’ completely copying someones work. They just changed a few words and names but took it all wholesale. I believe it was one of the popular fiction romance authors, forget the name. THEY have the deep pockets to pursue, but not sure if it even will make a difference.
I also know an author that pitched an idea for a story (through their agent to a movie studio). Couple years later that movie came out almost exactly as he pitched it, but wasn’t involved and got no credit. Tried to pursue it, but would have cost about as much as he MIGHT have been paid at the end of the day. Says he doesn’t watch the movie.
HA HA HA! When Zach mentioned the poor man copyright for bands, I was just thinking that. Been there, done that! 🙂
I wouldn’t say it NEVER happens, but it’s quite rare.