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[ardwyad]

I've almost finished my first book, have a preregistration with the copyright office. And I'm curious as to when, or if, I should go ahead and get the copyright?
Does that "lock" the book in? In other words, could I continue to make a few little changes?
Is it necessary? I have all the computer records and no one else has the complete file, so is it already protected by Intellectual Property laws?
I've heard that this angers editors/publishers, but why?

Much thanks for some answers and insight.

[andor25]

You do not need to register the copyright. Reputable agents, editors, and publishers will not steal it.

If you register it now, and then have to make editorial changes to make the work more marketable (happens even to good authors), it has to be registered a second time, so the money is wasted on the first one.

You only need to register a copyright when there is a need to do so (like when getting published, and the publisher will do this for you, and in your name). In the very rare event that your work is stolen, you have a grace period in which to register in order to file suit.

Mailing a copy to yourself (known as a poor man's copyright) is a myth. It does not register a copyright and does not even prove you wrote it.

When sending manuscripts to agents or publishers, you want to appear as professional as possible. Having a copyright on a work has two big problems
1 - it is the mark of an amatuer, and from experience, many agents and publishers know that amatuers are often difficult to work with because the either believe their work is so brilliant it doesn't need to be changed, or they know so little about publishing they complicate the process of contracts, proof reading, marketing, etc.
2 - a work with a copyright has a date on it. Even good books sometimes take years to sell when the markets are not open. You handicap the manuscript with that date because it can say "my work wasn't good enough six years ago and it probably isn't good enough now, either". A busy agent or editor might not even read it.

[thom]

It does lock the book but not from you because it's your material. You own it and can do whatever you like with it.
It only angers editors/publishers because they then need to edit it in there files, nothing to do with copyright laws.

Hope this helps :)

[sheridan93]

Copyright flows from the pen... or the keyboard, as the case may be.

Part of what the publisher is responsible for is copyright registration. You do your job: write the book; rewrite the book; make it the best you can. Leave the rest to your agent, editor, and publisher.

[colum]

You own the copyright now.