Protecting Your Manuscript: Steps Before Sharing with Agents and Publishers

Writing a book can be an incredibly personal and creative journey. However, before you start showing your manuscript to literary agents and publishers, it is crucial to take certain steps to protect your work. Here, we will guide you through the process to ensure your idea remains yours.

Why Protect Your Manuscript?

Even with all your hard work and creativity, your manuscript is vulnerable to plagiarism. Intellectual property rights protect you, but sometimes, these might not be enough. This article outlines essential steps to safeguard your work as you prepare to share it with literary agents and publishers.

Step 1: Register Your Manuscript

A good start is to register your manuscript with organizations like the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Library of Congress. This provides you with an official point of registration and helps establish a timestamp for your work.

Register your manuscript with the Writers Guild of America (WGA):

The WGA is a union representing screenwriters, novelists, and other writers in the entertainment industry. By joining, you can file a claim as a writer and gain rights to your work.

Register your manuscript with the Library of Congress:

The Library of Congress provides a registration system for authors to file their works. This step ensures that you have a formal record of your manuscript's creation, which could be useful in legal disputes.

Step 2: Gather Feedback from Trusted Readers

Show your manuscript to trusted readers who can provide valuable feedback. This could include friends, family, or online groups dedicated to reading raw manuscripts. Their insights will help you refine your work.

Feedback Process

Choose Trusted Readers:

Select individuals who can give you honest and constructive feedback. This could be a writing group, beta readers, or fellow authors in your genre.

Request Detailed Feedback:

Ask your readers to provide detailed feedback on your manuscript. This will help you identify sections that need improvement.

Revise Based on Feedback:

Take the feedback seriously and make necessary revisions. If a section confuses or bores the readers, it’s likely to do the same in the market. Fix it to make the story more engaging.

Step 3: Secure a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Before showing your manuscript to literary agents, it's essential to have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place. This legal document helps protect your idea from unauthorized disclosure.

What is an NDA?

An NDA is a legally binding agreement that ensures the recipient of sensitive information (such as your manuscript) will not share it with third parties without your explicit permission.

How to Use an NDA:

Once you have received positive feedback and have made necessary revisions, approach literary agents with an NDA. This ensures that your work remains confidential and protected.

Step 4: Secure Copyright Protection

To further protect your manuscript, it's advisable to seek professional help in drafting a copyright document. This will legally bind the copyright to your work.

Hire a Lawyer:

Consult with a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law. They can help you draft a comprehensive copyright document that protects all unique aspects of your manuscript.

Costs Involved:

While drafting a copyright document may incur costs ranging from several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, it is a worthwhile investment to prevent potential theft or misuse of your work.

Conclusion

Protecting your manuscript is crucial before you share it with literary agents and publishers. By registering your work with the WGA and Library of Congress, gathering feedback from trusted readers, securing an NDA, and obtaining copyright protection, you ensure that your idea remains yours. While the likelihood of your idea being stolen by a major publisher is low, safeguarding your work is the responsible and safe approach.