Many Members Making Content Available Free to Everyone

In my case, I thought about that for quite some time, but came to the conclusion that it just might encourage people out there to become members if they saw what was being produced.  There is a danger there, however, that since this site has no safeguard regarding copy/paste that our writing could be stolen easily.  How hard would it be to add the coding to make copy/paste impossible (unless one know how to do it)?

Tom

I don't think this option should even exist.

I am of two minds about this. I have read that it is good to get people interested in your book, before it is published, as the more interest you can drum up for it, the greater its possible market value. I've heard that some people have gone so far as to use Linked-In and Face Book to post drafts of their opusi. (What would the plural be to that word?)

I know that you cannot put a copyright on an idea for a book, nor can you copyright a book title. So, if someone else wanted to use your title and plot, it would be perfectly legal for them to do that. Icky. However, basic plots have been rewritten many times over. See for example: http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/04/13/nnp/18425.html

Is there any record that this site is being monitored by other publishers? You see, on the one hand, I do want to protect my story, but on the other hand, I want to build up as much interest in it as possible.

Genevieve

A copyright does nothing to keep people from stealing your work.  Absolutely nothing.  It merely gives you a method of taking action against someone once they have already done it, which is a far more painful process than taking reasonable care not to open up unpublished work to the entire Internet.  The trouble is, it's highly likely you'll have no idea you've had your work stolen.

I never put my stuff out just on the net, not even Goodreads. The things I've had published are copyrighted before it goes to print. That's why I asked about certain sites overseas. Bokus.com, for example.

Slightly off topic. Question:
How many member here actualy try to get their work published through the original method of sending hard copies; and or, sending a digital copy to a publishing house?

Lots, but I think more and more lately writers are leaning more heavily toward self-publish. I'm still working with an agent however because I'm very keen on the foreign market and movie rights which is very hard to do with self publishing unless you reach sales in the amaze-balls range.

I published the most profound avant-garde science fiction novel in the history of the Internet (PRUNELLA) through an Indian publisher in serial installments. Even though I never finished it (illness), a year later I found it being hocked on sites from evil terrorist lands to used car dealerships in Canada.

One note: I now understand it was just too avant-garde for the likes of tNBW (har-har). I also realize that dagnee, my only steadfast reviewer for this comic masterpiece, is a true genius!

The default is to only make it available to groups and connections, which does not make it available to the general Internet. You do not have to go through all of your previously submitted work. This is also the default for newly published content.

I noticed some users were changing it from the default and I just wanted to make sure they understood what this meant. It sounds like for the most part, users do understand this.

Sol

I am a true genius...who knew? I remember Prunella...and her killer vagina....glad to see you, Max...