So how do you paste from a “Microsoft Word” document?

We have a tool that allows you to paste from “Word”. Right above the box you would write into is a gray shadded area with icons (little pictures). The icon on the farthest right hand side is for an advanced toolbar. Click it. A new row appears. The little picture of the clipboard with a “W” is the paste from “word” icon.

Copy your story from “Word”, then go to your post page and click the “copy from word” icon. Then click “Publish” under the text box. Without this feature, the software will not remember your page breaks…it’ll look like one big paragraph.

I want a different “Pen Name” to show up under my story title?

Simple, after you login, click the “Update/Change my Profile” link. You can enter your real name or a pen name, and also a nickname. Then click the drop-down box and select the name you want to post with your story titles. Click the “Update Profile” button to save your changes and “ta-da” all your stories will have the new name.

Can I advertise my web site with My Strange Story?

Sure. You may have noticed we rate up on top on major search engines with strings like Strange Fiction or Stories and such.

Give yourself an honorable mention at the end of your story with a link to your site. You can even post a banner if your internet savvy. One more…Login and select “Update Profile” and add your website to your profile, it’ll show up in comments you leave on other stories.

How is my copyright protected when publishing on MyStrangeStories.com?

Any original work is at risk from copyright infringement. However in most countries, you can identify yourself as the holder of the copyright on your work by publishing it with your name listed as the author, and the date it is posted. This is why MyStrangeStories.com lists each author and the date the story is posted.

In the U.S. The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration, which allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies.

To register a work, send the following three elements in the same envelope or package to:

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20559-6000

1. A properly completed application form (Form TX or Short Form TX).
2. A nonrefundable filing fee for each application.
3. A nonreturnable deposit of the work being registered (For more details, please visit the The U.S. Copyright Office

The following sites contain useful information on copyright protection in various parts of the world:

• The U.S. Copyright Office
• Nolo – Copyright Registration and Enforcement
• The U.K. Patent Office

How long will my story be posted?

Currently there are no plans to take any posted stories off MyStrangeStories.com. All Strange Stories will be moved to the archives where visitors will continue to enjoy.

However, if a story is too far outside our genre, or if it contains “hate-ful” or “prejudice” language directed at any specific person or group of people, it may be removed at our discretion. We will try to distinguish between language used in sarcasm as opposed to the same language used with anger.

I went to AlarminglyStrangeStories.com and ended up here…what gives?

When we switched to an interactive format where writers can post their stories and have them posted on the main pages in real time, we decided to change the name. The “MyStrangeStories.com” reflects the new user interface while keeping the feel of the old site. We like it.

I wanted to tell a friend about a story, but can’t remember the name?

The new site has a search box on the left hand side. Put in anything you know about the story give it a try. On the older pages (AlarminglyStrangeStories.com) the search box is on the top of each page (select “search theweirdcrap” button).

How can I get my story featured on MyStrangeStories.com homepage?

Once posted, your new story will show up automatically on the home age. It usually takes about 10 minutes to refresh. At any given time, the latest 8 stories show up on the homepage, so once that 9th one shows up, it gets bumped off.

Also the most recent five stories are posted in the left side column of every single page of the new site! This I hope will help increase exposure to stories that deserve it.

What if I want my story taken off MyStrangeStories.com?

So you sold your story to a magazine or got that big book deal that wants exclusive rights? Just ask, and it will be removed -no strings attached.

Who can I contact if I have further questions about publishing at MyStrangeStories.com?

If you have any questions, we can be contacted at
publishing@theweirdcrap.com