I’m rather fond of my blog title. It came around as I was pondering to my good friend Sian while we were driving to work, what to name my blog. I loved the line I was using in one version of my query letter ‘screw being the damsel in distress’ but I felt it was too long for a cute, snappy blog title.

Enter the brilliant Sianus who off the top of her head suggested ‘Damsel in a Dirty Dress’. A thousand thank-yous!!

Recently it occurred to me that another way to advertise my blog could be via bumper stickers or something similar. However after looking at the price for a hundred of them I thought again. Not that we’re broke but we are getting rid of bills so I really don’t need to add to that. So I thought of t-shirts instead.

Yes I know t-shirts are pricer than bumper stickers (I’m not that dense *grin* and no that’s not why we’re in debt! Well… not exactly..).  Anyway. I thought it would be a nice gift for those people who make the effort to critique my full work. As mentioned in a previous blog – it ain’t easy! So as a thankyou I would get a shirt printed with

‘Damsel in a Dirty Dress’ on the front and ‘Screw being the Damsel in Distress’ on the back *grin* Neat idea huh!

A cute memorable gift and advertising at the same time *grin* Oh so entrepreneur of me ; p

But then I was concerned that someone might copy it. After all it’s cute and quirky (we’re currently sketching concepts of the ‘damsel’, ideally some adorable little female in a ragged dress with an enormous sword ‘hidden’ behind her back). So I had a read up on copyright and discovered these interesting facts!

Copyright automatically applies as soon as the work is put in material form – i.e written, performed, broadcast etc including works on an internet site.

Protects all works whether or not the copyright symbol is shown.

Prevents piracy and unauthorised use of works.

Lasts for the lifetime of the author PLUS fifty years from the end of the year of death.

For more information if you’re interested here are some links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright
http://www.copyright.co.nz/
http://www.nzfact.co.nz/
http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/copyright/index.html