First: That because it's "published" on FictionPress (or here on my blog) that agents won't be interested because it's already been released to the world. [side note: I plan HUGE changes/revisions to KM1, so this may not be a huge issue]. Actually, most of my FP stories would go through big revisions before I sent them to agents, so I just don't know. I was at a writing conference this past week where one agent said that he didn't care if it had been online, especially if it was good. I should have got his name!
and
Second: I own the copyright to my stories (as does anyone who creates something). But it's been a long time since I looked at FP's copyright guidelines. I can't remember if they own any of my work or not (I don't think so). If they do own something... I don't want to run into "self plagiarism" which I also need to learn more about.
I feel this way about a "Starter Boyfriend" too, but I'll be leaving that up for the time being. So, that's where I stand at the moment in regard to my KM series. *sigh* I'll figure it out soon.
Side note: When writing the KM series I looked through pictures to find a great example of what Caleb/Adam might look like and I came up with this hottie (this is just one of many choices). He's an actor... but I can't remember his name. I felt like he fit better for Adam than he did for Caleb, but they're identical so they have to look alike. :) Thoughts? Meeeeow!
One, the last time I read Starter boyfriend was when it was first posted and all I really remember is the term 'bad penis', her going to a party and being shocked because her best friend looked like skeletor annnnd I think meeting his brother when he was pretending to be him and being weirded out by him but she's not sure why. I don't actually recall details *about* his appearance (or the name of the twin she got with), but I think that if you try and find pictures of him smiling outright or showing the personality of one twin and then the other it might still work for both.
ReplyDeleteAnd I *just* asked about that on livejournal, let me copy and paste what someone told me about FP's copyright thingle:
The only way that FP could claim the rights to whatever you made is if they said they did in the small print of the site (and then the user of the site has tacitly agreed to the TOS as they are written and viewable).
However, if you visit the FP site and view its TOS (terms of service) you'll see that FP recognizes your right... Copy paste:
6. User Submissions and Conduct
A. As a FictionPress.com account holder you may submit textual, audio, visual, or audiovisual content including but not limited to stories, poetry, polls, profile images, forum messages or instant messages. User submitted content are collectively referred to as "User Submissions." You understand that whether or not such User Submissions are published, FictionPress.com does not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any User Submissions.
B. You shall be solely responsible for your own User Submissions and the consequences of posting or publishing them. In connection with User Submissions, you affirm, represent, and/or warrant that: you own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorize FictionPress.com to use all patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights in and to any and all User Submissions and have all necessary consents to collect, use and disclose any personally identifiable information contained or displayed in any and all User Submissions to enable inclusion and use of the User Submissions in the manner contemplated by the Website and these Terms of Service.
C. For clarity, you retain all of your ownership rights in your User Submissions. However, by submitting User Submissions to FictionPress.com, you hereby grant FictionPress.com a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the FictionPress.com Website. You also hereby waive any moral rights you may have in your User Submissions and grant each user of the FictionPress.com Website a non-exclusive license to access your User Submissions through the Website. You understand and agree, however, that FictionPress.com may retain, but not display, distribute, or perform, server copies of User Submissions that have been removed or deleted.
D. In connection with User Submissions, you further agree that you will not submit material that is copyrighted, protected by trade secret or otherwise subject to third party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless you are the owner of such rights or have permission from their rightful owner and the necessary consents from any individuals whose personally identifiable information is contained in such material to post the material and to grant FictionPress.com all of the license rights granted herein.
To answer your actual fears, I think if what you posted up and what you submit to agents turns out to be drastically different because of your changes you should fine, especially if you're the only person who has put it up.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jammi! That information is definitely helpful and clears up a lot of my questions. I would say that I'm not 95% sure (or 98% sure if I was originally 95% sure). :)
ReplyDeleteOh... PS... "bad penis" I totally forgot about that, and I'm pretty sure it's the first line of the story! I'm glad it made an impression :) haha. You said you read it in Starter Boyfriend, but it's actually Killing Memories.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I meant Killing Memories, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnnnd I think it was in the summary as well and was one of the main reasons I read it. I was like '... it's rated T, it's on fp, and the main character says outright there are two types of penises, hmmm...' hahahah, and I got dragged in from there.
And then everything pulled me in because I do believe that was the first time I read a story about a non-white (or at least full white) character and I just loved the depiction of her relationship with her family and how close she was to Moo who didn't treat her like crap because she wasn't a supermodel.
And I also liked the fact that Es lived with her extended family and things were tense between her and her mother and then it got worse because of the drama with her mother over her boyfriend being a white man.
So, I do remember plot points (unless I'm remembering the wrong story here, LOL) and it did make quite an impression actually since the more I think about it, the more I remember, but only bits and pieces [like when they're in the bathtub and the caterers were still downstairs!!!! I remember feeling mortified for them and laughing out loud].
I definitely understand the amount of people wanting to read it again but at the same time I understand why you'd be hesitant since you want to get published, either way I'm sure they'll get a chance to read it again at some point, either in it's original form on fp orrr in it's improved and edited form when it has been published.
[and I also remember liking the fact that the guys they were interested in weren't assholes, (even if I do have an unhealthy love for bad boy alpha males) and then flipping and thinking his brother was super hot even if he gave off some hardcore vibes].
Interestingly enough, I don't remember anything from the second one. Which is weird because I know I read it, or started it at least. I know I didn't finish the third one because I started reading it thinking fun drama and getting hit with this super intense opening scene. Part of me loved it, but at the time personally I wasn't in the place to get put through the wringer with the characters and it seemed like we were going to get put through the wringer, LOL.
And if I am wrong and the third book wasn't about his twin and his love interest [someone's sister?] and the opening didn't involve something about a blood moon/bad luck and a prediction then my bad, and I don't know why I'm thinking it is.
And sorry for the long response, lol, but your comment had me thinking of other things that stuck with me and yeah, I felt I should share, lol.
You're right there was one book that was more of a spin-off called "Hostile Kisses" that featured Adam and Daisy. That book wasn't as humorous as the Es and Moo books. It's been a long time for me too, I haven't reread them since they were on FP. I'm glad to hear about what you remember most in the books, and I'm glad they're taking up a little storage space in your head :)
ReplyDeleteI do understand your concerns, and I totally get why you're hesistating.
ReplyDeleteIf I was in your position and had this gem of a story I would probably waver too.
I probably wouldn't post it online again, truthfully.
But I just want to read it again, lol.
Do you have a editing staff? People that get to read your stories to get feedback, can I be a part of it please?
I won't be able to promise anything constructive other than lots of squealing and laughs, but at least I'd be positive?
And I have never imagined Caleb and Adam to look like that. I was actually a little dissapointed... Ian Somerhalder...or something like that, from The Vampire Diaries. Only taller, he would make a GREAT Adam.
I would probably post on Authonomy or LiveJournal, before I would post on FP for several reasons.
ReplyDeleteAuthonomy is run by a publisher and is frequented by people who want to be writers. It seems less likely someone would steal a story from there. With Live Journal, you can control who sees what. You can make your profile private and screen people before allowing them to read your stories.
On the issue of publishing online, I would say that since you're planning to revise the stories heavily, it's not really the same. You won't be sending KM out the way we'd be reading it. Another positive- readers would be offer suggestions for revisions.
I would probably go with LJ above the others, simply because of the control you have and it's easier to develop a relationship with your readers.
@Sammy: First off, Ian Somerhalder is beyond hot. I love him in Vampire Diaries, but I feel like he's a little too young looking for Adam/Caleb. I actually think about his Damien character for one of the guys in my new book. Mmm... so cute! Secondly, I have a few people who are my set go-to readers (people I know in "the real world"), but I would consider having another reader/editor. I think you have the ability to be constructive or at least to be honest. So I'll let you know.
ReplyDelete@Colleen: I think I might have a page on Authonomy still or maybe I deleted it. You're right that that would be a good place to post things because it's a little bit more legit-feeling than FP. I've never worked on LiveJournal before. I like the idea of developing a relationship with readers, but I'd rather do that here on the blog. I don't really want to have to screen people. I like that anyone can access my FP page or blog to read (the only downside is stealing, but that only happened once with A Starter Boyfriend). You're right though, publishing online does allow for instant reviews/feedback, which is always good.
He's actually 32 in real life, which seems like the perfect age for Adam and Caleb, in my head at least.
ReplyDeleteI checked out Authonomy when you posted it on your blog, but I didn't really like the page settings and such. Maybe if I was a more regular user I wouldn't find it so annoying but I did.
I like with Live Journal you'd have your own security in place, but again it wouldn't be 100% because you don't actually know us. Plus it wouldn't actually stop anybody from stealing once they did get in. Assuming you let people in who've previously read your story.
And I just totally put you off, lol. Sorry.
Honestly dissapointed with the editing reply, but did I really expect a yes...no. But at least I asked, and it was a nice reply. Thanks, lol.
Haha, I guess in my mind I see him in his early 20s (that's what I'm assuming from the show). I have like four episodes saved that I need to watch, which will make for a great weekend. Don't be disappointed... it wasn't a flat-out 'no' after all :)
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't actually look 32 does he? Lol. I was kinda surprised when I saw it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you have saved episodes, I'd go crazy not getting my weekly TVD fix, lol. Sometimes I wish I lived in the U.S. You have all the great shows, House, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, Smallville... and stupid UK has to wait. Although with TVD you guys were only 3 episodes ahead. When they had the break here in the UK, I was SO close to watching the next three episodes online.
I love Supernatural as well and have a couple episodes waiting for me too. I like to save them up and then have mini-marathons. I think I watched four or five episodes of Vamp Diaries last weekend. And don't short change UK shows! the U.S. has brought over so many, most recently "Being Human." :)
ReplyDeleteFor a while I wondered if Dean would make a good Adam, but he's too short in my eyes, and doesn't have the appropriate wardrobe, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe only UK shows I watch are Dr Who, Primeval, Merlin and Hustle, they're the only ones I really like.
I can't stand Being Human, I think it's a load of crap. Don't find it amusing at all.
And I can't believe I forgot The Big Bang Theory, the funniest show ever, I LOVE Sheldon. Also US, go figure.
I like Dean a lot, more than Sam I think. Yeah, he does always wear the same thing, huh?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, when I first watched the UK version of "Being Human" (I only saw 1-2 episodes) I was like... ehhh. But I'm kinda into the US one (not sure how similar/different they are). I was watching the UK version of Law & Order and I enjoyed that a lot (it's the first show that was adapted from the US for the UK, I think).
I recently started watching Big Bang--funny show! I don't know if you get it out there yet, but we've got a show called Modern Family that's a big hit right now. Super funny and smart.
I like Law & Order when I watch it, but then I kinda forget about it and I end up missing the series, same with CSI.
ReplyDeleteWe do get The Big Bang Theory here, but I only started watching it at the starting of this series. Can't believe it took me so long to find it...
I've never heard of the Modern Family on UK television but you never know. It might be on a channel I don't watch...