Posted in Writing

Suspicious Minds

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I’ve been submitting some of my writing to different online journals, etc. and have had the good fortune to have a few of those submissions picked up and published.  Recently, I had a website solicit me directly.  I did not approach them.

They want me to publish my writing on their site.

The website has been created by an individual that is possibly trying to get their foot in the door for website design, publishing, possibly poetry, or something else pertaining to the literary world.  (I’m guessing)  I can tell that it’s a small operation by the amateurish look of the site.

Looking at some of the other’s people’s posts, there is just a TINY link with the person’s name and a VERY brief description of who they are.  (about 2 sentences)  There is no place to link back to their blog, or any other way to reach the author.  I also saw nothing on anyone’s post that showed any copyright; neither the author’s nor the site’s.

So I’m hesitant to participate.

These people may be perfectly legitimate.  I may be suspicious for nothing.

I know that you are always taking a chance if you post online.  Even if you copyright you’re work, there is always someone out there able to steal it.  IF I participate and post my writing, I see NO way to protect my writing.

Am I just being overly cautious?  What would you do?

Copyright (C) 2018 Penny Wilson

*Day 3 of my Post-A-Day. 🙂

Author:

Penny Wilson is an international writer who writes in several genres. She has written articles for WOW Women on Writing. Her poetry has been published in online journals, such as Ariel Chart, Spill Words Press and the Poppy Road Review. Penny is a member of the Austin Poetry Society. Her poetry has been featured in the publication America's Emerging Poets 2018 & 2019 by Z Publishing and Poets Quarterly and Dual Coast Magazine published by Prolific Press. Most recently, you can find her poetry in an anthology by WordCrafter Press called Poetry Treasures. Penny is an advocate for Mental Health Awareness and has the page "Mental Health Help" on her blog. She writes about the struggles of mental illnesses and Depression. She is passionate about spreading awareness for Suicide Prevention and Domestic Abuse. She expresses her passion through her writings of poetry and life experiences. You can find more of her writings on her blog at https://pennywilsonwrites.com/

26 thoughts on “Suspicious Minds”

  8. You’re not being overly cautious. You’re being smart. You need to protect yourself and your work. That’s the bottom line. I don’t even open suspicious communication.

    You’re right about the risk of people stealing your work. I’ve found some of my photos online (used without permission) and had to call the thieves out on using my copyrighted images. I don’t give away my photos. That’s the bottom line.

    We creative types need to protect our art and people need to respect what we’ve created as ours. Not theirs. I cannot even begin to tell you how often I get inquiries about using my photos “for credit and a link.” Nope, you’re not going to get my work “for free.”

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  11. I’m not generally as worried about copyright as I am about permanence. Of course, even many printed journals have online versions these days–but those online journals look professional and have good archives, so your work won’t disappear! All that’s to say, I think you’re right to go with your gut feeling.

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