Noticing Newbies

I wrote the bio. Followed the rules. Kept it to the maximum 650 characters. Oh, wordy me! Had to pare it down a bit.

In a nutshell, I'm a Woman of a Certain Age who finds herself actually writing with a goal! Like many, I've written since childhood for private consumption only. Now, I'm no longer burdened by the day to day rhythm of those busy decades: Youthful ignorance, student bliss, career, relationships (one an encylopedic failure), children, adult parents, and the cycle completes itself -- now a wiser version of the other me! Ha.

You ask what I write. Focus is poetry with a random bit of prose. I'm told (and it's totally true) I write from the Dark Side of life's adventure. Of course, some of it is comically sad. But, I've earned the right to write and write I am!

My work has appeared in three anthologies in the last two years. Not a lot, but a good start. There's a book (think chapbook) in the wings. My mentor/instructor/inspiration herself a solid author, award-winning, with velvet coated critique skills. I'm SO grateful to be under her tutelage. I've been in a writing group the past two years (you might guess this corresponds to a major life event): Retirement at Last!

So, Word Artists, here's my question: Yes I have copyrighted pieces in anthologies but anthologies are collective works so I wasn't involved in anything other than submissions and title. I'm a bit naive though I've Googled and Googled -- copyright, specifically the Copyright Act of 1976. I 'could' ask my instructor but we're on a hiatus at the moment.... here I am at the keyboard and printer, words, words, words. I don't want to lose my momentum. I would love to post on Writing.Com for some honest critiquing BUT I've reached the point in life that I'm not embarrassed to express my ignorance. How exactly does one protect her/his material by copyright? For instance, what are the assurances posting online (this website would be an example) and having one's original work somehow lifted/atttributed to another writer?

I'm a fairly benign and decent human and I surely hope a) this is the appropriate forum to ask this question, and b) moreso that I've not offended anyone in my ignorance.

Hoping to hear back privately or publically and thrilled to join the ranks of other committed writers.

PS - I'm soon packing up my writing tools, prompts, and enthusiasm off to a writing retreat/workshop on the Baja. This will be me being me, sharing the week with several other seriously published people. I've written what I feel is a solid opening piece for this 'collection' and I'd love to have some honest feedback.... but waiting for an answer to my above-stated question. My mentor/instructor/inspiration offers this retreat yearly and says it will be a wonderful, wonderful week. She assures me that my level of writing will be a good fit with this group. Oh My God.... I can't quite believe it's true. Sunshine and Words woo hoo....

LuluWritesNow