Coach Teresa here . . . my clients email me their manuscripts–their work being transmitted on cyberspace. This is why I ask all my clients to submit their manuscripts (mss.) in the same format that agents & publishers want them in–your name and book title in the header on every page.

The following information is from http://copyright.gov/

What is copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

What does copyright protect?

Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “What Works Are Protected.”

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

When is my work protected?

Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?

No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

Mail yourself the entire ms. (U.S.mail) but don’t open the envelope when you get it back–the postal mark/date and the unopened envelope serve as evidence.  Note:  You must register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office before you bring a lawsuit for copyright infringement.

My trademark attorney is Robert Pimm. He is also a copyright attorney.

Cheering for writers!

Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Want to attract agents  & publishers?  Want to be your own publisher?

• Get your manuscript professionally edited
• Build your writer’s platform NOW

918-6222  ( 510 area code )

Email:  writingcoachTeresa    at    gmail.com

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Coach Teresa  LeYung-Ryan

specializes in:   novels   / children’s novels  / memoirs

DIVISION 342 – THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE: NOVEL, MEMOIR, OR SHORT STORY
Sponsored by Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of  Love Made of Heart http://lovemadeofheart.com

First place winner:  “My Chinese American Experience” by Patricia Tsang

Second place winner: “Dancing Among the Tombstones” by Ellen Six

Third place winner: “Culture Shock” by Lucy Murray

Honorable Mention: “Message Deleted” by Evie Groch

Honorable Mention: “Caught in the Current” by Uldis Zebergs

Honorable Mention: “The Luck of the Irish” by Martha Traynor

author Teresa LeYung Ryan writes fiction to help mothers and daughters and prescriptive nonfiction to help writers

Dear Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Sue Barizon, Elliotte Mao,

Bardi had invited me to attend the award ceremony on June 11, 2011 (San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts writing contests). I had wanted so much to be there, to thank everyone in the SMCF offices and the writers who entered the contest I sponsored  – “The Immigrant Experience”

A previous commitment prevents me from being there with you on June 11th.

Could you  3 wonderful hearts Bardi, Elliotte, Sue (Sue, I read what you said about Bardi in The Patch) please print the attachment and bring it to the June 11 ceremony and one of you read it for me?

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Greetings from author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan , the sponsor of The Immigrant Experience Writing Contest. . .  I wish I were with you today.  I’m visiting my friend Patty in the hospital who is another hero like Bardi.  I thank Bardi, and everyone who helped her, for orchestrating the many wonderful writing contests. I thank all the writers who submitted entries to The Immigrant Experience category.  The manuscripts I read touched me deeply.  A second judge, Mary Knippel, and I discussed the merits of each piece. Thank you, Mary.

I extend this offer to all the contestants:  If  you email me at WritingCoachTeresa…I’m at gmail.comI will give you some pointers to polish your piece.  And, I’d love to meet you.  Please go to my website: WritingCoachTeresa.com and look at my Events Page.  On Friday June 17 I’ll be at San Mateo County Fair with my California Writers Club buddies.  I hope to meet you all in person, on facebook,  or through my blog at WritingCoachTeresa.com where you’ll find lots of resources, including links to my Youtube channel and to Amazon for my 22-day workbook, to help you build your writer’s platform to attract agents and publishers.  Remember me as Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writing career. Stay connected with members of California Writers Club!”

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San Mateo County Fair. Go to Expo Hall, the Literary Arts Stage, San Mateo Event Center, 2495 So. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA

Events at the Literary Arts Stage are free, but there is admission and parking costs to enter the fairgrounds.