Copyright laws???

Question

If I have created a story or characters and I want to maybe publish it some day, how do I get my copyrights over my work? So nobody else can steal my idea, or something like that.

Answer 1

The moment you write your story, you own the copyright. You don't need to do anything.

I suggest that you not post your story online. Even though you own the material, people think that everything on the Internet is free for them to use however they want to. Posting your stuff online also makes it "previously published" in the eyes of publishers, which means they'll be less likely to want to publish it themselves (if people have already read it, why would they want to pay for it?).

Some people might tell you to print your work, put it in an envelope, and mail it to yourself (not opening the envelope when you receive it). Don't do it. It's a waste of paper, postage and the postal service. It proves nothing and has no legal standing.

Many new authors believe that there are people out there just waiting to steal someone's story or novel so they can publish it themselves. This is flat out not true. Publishing is a hard business and pays so little, that it's not worth a thief's time and effort. Don't worry--your work is safe.