[devilman2045]

I was planning on writing a book at one point in my life, and actually had a small portion of it written (read very small portion), and a fairly good outline of it. Needless to say, that's long since past, and the book was never written.

I'm starting to think that I'd like to get into the writing scene again, and would like to do a continuing story online, like post a chapter online every week or so, similar to how Lady does a page every week. I was hoping that you all could tell me if that's something you think would catch fire on the internet, and at that, how I would go about obtaining a copy right for it?

[Tenshi]

From what I understand of US copyright law, your works are copyrighted if they are published into a public domain. You may also want to obtain a proper copyright in case of infringement (if you're concerned about that). There's a wealth of information in this PDF file about it all. Registering your copyright with the government isn't free, however.

As for it "catching on" on the internet, I think that largely depends on the style and caliber of the writing. Also, you have to know your target audience. If you're making an opinion book, your target audience may be mostly bloggers and so on. If you're making an "observations about life" book...well, it'll still mostly be bloggers, but more philosophy bloggers. If it's a normally novel-length story, I know that personally I prefer to sit down for hours at a time and chew through novels like crazy. I'm not sure I fit into your target audience there, but they're probably still out there.

Anyhow, hope that helps. Good luck!
_________________
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords

"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton

[devilman2045]

[Asa]

I think what he meant was posting in installments v posting it all at once.

If you want you can post it in the Writing Section first to see what the response is, then post it online. Alternatively, there are sites like Fictionpress.com and others that give an online copyright as soon as you post, and make uploading chapters very easy indeed.
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[devilman2045]

[Asa]

My pleasure. My pseudonym on fictionpress.com is Aspiring Author, feel free to check it out! ^_~
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[Tinalles]

In general, formally registering a copyright is overkill. Just slap a copyright notice on it and give it a go. If it gets popular enough that you start making money off it, THEN you can register a copyright formally.
_________________
Keeper of The Remnant Minuon (cognomen Lucy, the Eaten One) and the Emissary Caeli

[Nem]

Save each chapter as a separate file then computer a timestamped cryptographic hash function based on the file, never alter the file after this or you'll change the hash function mind, and publish the hash function through a source that can verify your identity. Should an issue of copyright ever come up you can prove that the hash function derives from the file and thus authenticate your ownership.
_________________
Never forget,
We stroll along the roof of hell
Gazing at flowers.
- Issa

[Tinalles]

That would be a checksum.
_________________
Keeper of The Remnant Minuon (cognomen Lucy, the Eaten One) and the Emissary Caeli

[Nem]

Cryptographic hash functions tend to be much more mathematically complex than a checksum, making them harder to mess around with, although I guess the principle is the same.

Edit: Or at least according to the wiki article I should say.
_________________
Never forget,
We stroll along the roof of hell
Gazing at flowers.
- Issa

[Tinalles]

That's true; but plain old CRC check sums and what-have-you actually don't protect against modification of the file very well. They're great against accidental file corruption, but fairly easy for a human being with malicious intent to spoof. So hashing functions like MD5 and the SHA series work better.
_________________
Keeper of The Remnant Minuon (cognomen Lucy, the Eaten One) and the Emissary Caeli

[electricpanda]

Or you could put it on a CD and mail it to yourself - the postal service will timestamp it too. Just don't open the envelope.
_________________
Dubbed Pants by AsA, via the way of the electric pants.

[Nem]

It wouldn't stand up in a British court, well not if the other person was competent at attacking you, since you can mail yourself an empty envelope and then put whatever in it; I don't know whether American courts are different.
_________________
Never forget,
We stroll along the roof of hell
Gazing at flowers.
- Issa

[electricpanda]

Isn't there some kind of sealing thing? I don't know, I was only told this. I'm not overly concerned with copyright. I don't think my stuff's really good enough to steal, and even if it were, I don't expect I'd have the resources to fight it.

Alternately, you may be able to deposit it in a bank, or something.
_________________
Dubbed Pants by AsA, via the way of the electric pants.

[devilman2045]