Posting Manuscript on Website

darby · Jun 4, 2008

Hi.
I read somewhere that it's a good idea to start up a website or facebook or something similar on which to post my manuscript. If I am currently submitting the manuscript to agents, is there an ethical problem with this? Also is there any legal problem with this? I.E. Can someone steal my work and publish it as their own? I live in Canada if this makes any difference to the legalities of it.

Vincent · Jun 4, 2008

Yes, there's a problem with it. Many consider that to count as self-publication. You'd be shooting yourself in the foot to do it.

KTC · Jun 4, 2008

very bad idea.

Mumut · Jun 4, 2008

Have a website and blog etc but don't put your manuscript on it. When you're published it will be a good place to advertise your work.

victoriastrauss · Jun 4, 2008

I think you'd be fine with excerpts--the first chapter, say. Don't put the whole thing online, though.

- Victoria

arkady · Jun 4, 2008

Look at it this way: you're essentially telling an agent "I've put my novel on the internet for everyone to read for free. Now will you try and sell it to a publisher for me?"

God knows Victoria's got far more publishing experience than me, but I'd go even further with her advice and put no more than the first page or so up.

darby · Jun 4, 2008

Thank you all. I couldn't understand the benefit of offering it for free as a way to promote it, but, being new to this whole game I thought "they" knew something I didn't.

victoriastrauss · Jun 4, 2008

Some authors appear to have had success offering their books as free downloads (with their publishers' permission), but not until after the book has been published.

For promotion to be effective, you've got to have something to promote.

- Victoria

Posting Manuscript on Website

darby

Vincent

Cheers

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

arkady

darby

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess