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Author
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Comment
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/19/05 6:40 pm)
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Can I Publish This?
I'm posting this because I value your opinions.
Please keep in mind that I am a mere fifteen years of age and do not know the qualifications of getting work published, so critique/info in that area will be appreciated.
I am in the process of writing a modern take on Hansel and Gretel. I'll reveal the basic synopsis, as I have already copyrighted it :) Gretel's character is a girl named Eithne, which means 'little fire'. She is a Pyromaniac who is about ten. Hansel's character is replaced by Hayden, a gentle twelve year old who cannot relate to other boys for this reason. They are not siblings but soulmates. One day they hear laughter and their fear of it drives them into the woods, where they meet a woman named Chris, who has previously become obsessed with them after seeing their school picture in the newspaper.
And here's where my plot gets tricky.
I have always associated Hansel and Gretel to have a sinister sexual underlay, and so I wanted to work this into the story. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this would work, as it would make it an adult story with young protagonists. Please help me here. I want to make Chris, the witch character, a maker of adult films (if you catch my drift), which is why she resides hidden in the woods. She wants to put Hayden and Eithne in them. (During these parts I DO NOT go into detail; instead I insert dark poetry that subtley gets the message across). Eithne is forced to be a slave and Hayden is set to be slaughtered, until Gretel finds her inner strength and sets Chris on fire. Then Hayden and Eithne disappear into the woods. It's up to the reader to decide what really happens to them, but of course I would not have them return to their parents/adults, who cannot understand/appreciate them. Yes, surreal parts will be added ; I follow Chris building up the gingerbread house, and the Laughter stands fo ignorance/reality. As for plotholes or things to add, can you help me? What should I edit? Thank you to anyone who replies. :)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/19/05 6:46 pm)
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Another Thing
I just wanted to add that the Laughter that drives them into the wood is also a metaphor for society. I feel that instead of poverty being the motivation behind them leaving, it is ignorance and society. On a second note, I am also having trouble finding where I can insert the breadcrumbs. Obviously I will have to use them metaphorically speaking, but still any suggestions would be great.
Thanks!
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Writerpatrick
Registered User
(12/20/05 10:26 am)
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Re: Can I Publish This?
What you're asking isn't if you can publish it but rather if it is publishable. About anything can be published, as long as it isn't illegal. As for being publishable, that will depend upon acceptance. It's definately not a children's work, but a literary publisher could take an interest.
When working from fairy tales, you're best working with multiple sources, particularly those no longer under copyright, to avoid copying a copyrighted source. For instance, if you're only knowledge of Snow White is the Disney version, you could easily copy something Disney created which isn't original to the story.
Publishability isn't something to worry about while you're writing it (unless you're writing for a specific publication). Stories can be rejected for many reasons, and not all have to do with the story itself. Just write the story and worry about getting it published afterwards.
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princessterribel
Registered User
(12/21/05 3:17 am)
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perhaps...
Patrick is right that you should not be worrying about getting it published at this stage although there is always potential.
It definately sounds like you have thought about what kind of emotions affects and current affairs you want to bring into the story. Indeed, your ending probably makes more sense than the original in which the parents leave their children. However, I am a sucker for a happy ending...no mater how gruesome it is. Couldn't you have the witch/woman be discovered as a paedophile that had,had her eye on many children in the village...then they could set her on fire, then they could be celebrated rather than disappearing like they have done something wrong?
I don't know...I really don't man to tamper with your story as it is of your won making and I appreciate that.
Good luck with it.
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Dark Siren
Unregistered User
(12/21/05 8:10 am)
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Copyright
Good luck with that.I'd read it!:)
How do you copyright something?You have to pay,don't you?Someone's going to be very happy and very rich when I find out how to do it.
Can you tell me,please?
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Heidi Anne Heiner
ezOP
(12/21/05 8:16 am)
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Re: Copyright
Go here to learn more for in the US:
www.copyright.gov/
Heidi
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rosyelf
Registered User
(12/21/05 11:28 am)
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hansel and gretel retelling
GretelBreadcrumbs, I would read this story. As the other people have said, it's impossible to say whether someone would publish it or not, but it may find its niche. I like your sensitivity to the story and yes, there is something very sinister about that woman-she could well be a paedophile.
I always did have trouble with the ending though-them returning to the father who was so useless before, failing to stand up to his wife when she wanted to abandon them, etc. Why would they want him now ? They have matured so much through their terrible experiences-as people usually do in fairy tales-I imagine they would want something else, something better for themselves. Of course, it is YOUR story !
As for copyright, I am in the UK and the laws may be completely different, but my understanding is that copyright automatically belongs to the author until and if they choose to give it away. In other words, the author doesn't buy it, but they can sell it.
Good luck with your writing :)
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DawnReiser
Registered User
(12/21/05 4:40 pm)
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copyright
In the US it is not necessary to copyright your material as it is deemed copyrighted the moment it set to record, either in written or electronic form. The copyright belongs to the author of the material. If the material is written over a period of time, the copyright date is the original date of creation not the date of completion.
Also, just because the retelling deals with very delicate and painful issues does not mean it cannot be a young adults book - - The original gory Grimm tales were not meant only for an adult audience but had moral tales for young adults as well and who better to be warned the dangers of a predatory pedastrist than young adults.
But really, the others are right. Write the story, your story, and when your done - whether that's in a week or a decade - then worry about publication. But don't bother trouble and worry until the tale is told.
Good luck, too.
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princessterribel
Registered User
(12/22/05 3:06 am)
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How To Copyright
OK, In the UK this is a legitimate FREE way to copyright your work. Write it, date it , add you name and signature, give it a title, etc. Then put it in a self addressed envelope go to the post office and have it sent to you recorded delivery (where you will ahve to sign for it when it arrives). Do not open the envelope.
Now it is copyrighted to you.
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Writerpatrick
Registered User
(12/22/05 10:40 am)
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Re: How To Copyright
The postoffice method is NOT a legally recognized system in many countries. It's a myth. It's too easy to send an unsealed envelope through the mail.
The fact is that in many countries, copyright is automatic. You don't have to do anything. What isn't automatic is the REGISTRATION of your work with the copyright office. But this only costs a nominal amount. I beleve it's $30US in the States and $65CDN in Canada. You don't need to register it, but if without registration you can't sue for plagerism. Because of the cost, few bother to copyright for short stories because one usually makes less than it would cost.
As for novels, that's usually handled by the author after a press has accepted the work but before publication.
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DawnReiser
Registered User
(12/22/05 2:27 pm)
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Copyright Registration
Copyright is automatic making it a property right. Copyrights do not have to be granted, obtained or registered in order to be completely enforcible. The copyright holder is entitled to enforce their exclusive property rights without official registration but in certain cases it has its benefits, i.e., to collect larger damages in a lawsuit.
Also, any work created while in the employ of a company is not the property/copyright of the author but the company itself - - 'work for hire'. For example, the author of 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' created the story as part of a marketing campaign for Montgomery Ward. Therefore, Montgomery Ward and not the author own the property/copyright to 'Rudolph'.
It was my understanding that many publishers handle the registration of the copyright prior to publication and perhaps someone with more knowledge could verify or refute that belief.
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(12/22/05 4:31 pm)
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copyrighting stories
In the US, without registering a copyright you do lose some legal rights for protecting your work; check into it.
I've heard that some authors print out a lot of stuff as a single
manuscript, and copyright it as "Collected Works" or "Work
in Progress 2005" or something like that, so the one $30 fee
covers it all.
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:29 pm)
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Thank You!
Thank you so much for replying! I really respect your advice. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Grace (aka Gretel)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:33 pm)
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Thank You!
Thank you for replying! Yeah, I am a sucker for happy endings too :) I typically don't write such dark subject matter, but it's fun for a change. It's so funny-I get so attached to my characters that I feel like they're people, and I want them to be happy! So, I will experiment with different endings. Anyway, thanks for replying! :)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:36 pm)
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Thank You!
Thank you for replying! I like your screenname :) Um, what I do to copyright is put a copy of my work in an envelope, then send it to myself. That way, there's the date from the post office on it. That's how I copyright all my work-it's fast and easy. Hope that helps! :)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:41 pm)
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Thank You!
Thank you for replying! :) I'm really flattered that you would read my story; many of my peers don't take me very seriously, so I'm really encouraged that all of you cared to respond :) Yeah, I never got the ending of Hansel and Gretel either; it doesn't make sense that they would returm to their father. That's why I want my story to end with them exiting into the woods. That is so cool that you live in the U.K! My dad has family in Ireland, so I'm dying to go visit there. Anyway, thank you so much for replying!
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:43 pm)
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Copyright
Yep, that is exactly how I copyright all of my stuff :)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/22/05 11:46 pm)
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Copyright
Wow, I never knew that! I'm glad that you let me and princessterribel know, otherwise I would've been copyrighting that way for years. :) Um, I hope you don't mind me asking but noticing your username...what kind of writing do you do? I am always interested in other writers and what methods they use, etc.
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Writerpatrick
Registered User
(12/23/05 11:06 am)
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Re: Copyright
Most of my writing is fantasy, although I also write poetry and a little bit of non-fiction. Right now I'm exploring writing styles in order to improve my speed.
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aka Greensleeves
Registered User
(12/23/05 4:06 pm)
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Re: Copyright
Just wanted to add one last note on getting your work copyrighted... when you do begin to submit to publishers, the copyright notice on a manuscript is a red flag that will brand you as an amateur. It can also complicate a sale--for short fiction, publications vary in which rights they buy; and for novels, publishing houses will register the book for you, after a sale. And any writer will tell you--you do *not* want to complicate an editor's life in any way, because it only bodes ill for you. ;)
For a good overview on the subject, check out this
article by authors Glen and Karen Bledsoe. You'll want to scroll
almost all the way to the bottom (although the entire page is worth
reading).
Good luck with your writing!
(and btw--I can't imagine any reason you'd *ever* need to register a copyright for a synopsis. Save your money for paper and ink cartridges.)
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Gretel Breadcrumbs
Unregistered User
(12/24/05 12:03 am)
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Re:Writing
Cool! I write poetry too :)
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