How much should you reveal?
Writing and blogging. They’re both very revealing in many ways.
When I started blogging about three years ago I quickly learned two important lessons about the blogosphere’s drawbacks. First, if you published something on your blog a top newspaper or magazine usually will not buy it and publish it. Hello? It’s already been published on your blog! Second, there are folks out there who will steal your stuff right off your blog. That’s right, folks. Steal. Your. Stuff.
It happened once and I don’t remember the name of the site that was pilfering posts from a long list of blogs and reposting them without permission. It had nothing to do with being paid, it had to do with the fact that the work belonged to me and not them and they did not have permission. Having my posts on their site gave me no credibility, it did not add to my clips. They were posers.
It was that stark reminder that this is the World Wide Web and that we can literally and virtually cut and past anything at all and plop it down where ever we want.
Now this harkens back to high school plaguerism, but if you’re trying to write and publish an article, story or book, it’s worse than that.
I’ve seen posts and comments all over the blogosphere as to whether or not it’s safe to send your chapters and manuscripts via email to agents, editors and publishers. Then it’s just “out there” so to speak. But, as long as you’re sending those chaps and mss (gotta love the lingo) upon request, yes, it’s perfectly safe. According to a recent post on the Guide to Literary Agents blog,”Agents and editors don’t steal work; writers steal work”.
Oy. Sad but true.
It’s why I caution friends of mine who’ve posted parts of unpublished books online to whisk that baby back to a Word doc. I think most writers are honest and only want their own ideas in their own books, but you just never know. It doesn’t mean you can’t write your heart out on your blog to make a good show of it. I know a smattering of bloggers have gotten book deals from their blogs, but it’s truly a smattering and that was due to the writing on their blog – the subject matter and voice – not showcasing a chapter or two of fiction. Frankly, these folks don’t write fiction, they compile their blog posts into memoirs or books of essays. All great and wonderful, but different from wanting everyone in cyberspace to read Chapter 1 of your novel.
I think about these things with all those critique sites out there. I don’t get showing work to strangers. It’s like asking a really nice lady on a Mexican beach to watch your kid while you go horseback riding. Oh right, I did that. It’s nothing like that.
Trustworthy and amazing people have read my work. But it’s good to be prudent — even wary, especially if you meet a brand new possible critique partner. My suggestion (since you asked) is to have him or her review some of your older work, something already published or something that you know won’t be before you show something new. And always swap work.
You know, you show me yours and I’ll show you mine.
Amy, Very interesting and useful advice. I took my excerpts off of Red Room after hearing your thoughts on this. I hope to meet w/my copy editor within the next week, and I’ll let you know what she says. As far as my blog writing goes, I’m inclined to let it all hang out and just have as much fun as I can with it. Cheers!
Great advice as always. I’ve had a few articles, stories, etc. pilfered from the Web (no blog posts, that I know of), that I’ve discovered by googling or through google alerts. Just think of how many more might have been “borrowed” without my name attached to it (or yours to your own work), or with changed titles. There’s really no way to track those down. Grrr.
You know that I really relate to this post!!
I only show work to people I know and trust — especially for constructive criticism. And I’m a big “swapper”!
Thanks for this.
P.S. It’s a great idea to look into a Creative Commons license. You might want to consider adding one to your sidebar, to protect your writing here. I learned about this at BlogHer. You can see the one on my blog.
I think making work available in a free format can be incredibly important for building a readership. At least in fiction, you only get 2 months after publication for your book to “prove itself” before returns start coming back.
A lot of books take longer than that to build a following. So if a writer has a platform first, that’s better. Even for fiction.
When I publish my blog it’s automatically copyrighted. If I find someone stealing from me without crediting or linking back to me, I’ll send a cease and desist letter.
All of the fiction I’ll make available will be formally copyrighted with the copyright office. If I find someone stealing from me, they’ll receive a cease and desist letter with a threat of legal action.
The thing about stealing your work is, if you’ve got it copyright protected with the copyright office, if they stole it and got rich and famous off of it, then you can fight it in court.
And it’s PR for you.
If someone steals from you, even if they don’t get rich and famous off of it, you can fight it in court, and it’s great PR for you.
Most of us have more of a problem with obscurity than we have with theft of our work.
And yes, often if you publish your own work, whether it’s a blog, ebook, podcast, whatever, a publisher won’t want to publish it because first rights are gone and it’s “out there.” But unless one only plans to write one book their entire life, I don’t see how that matters.
For articles and such I wouldn’t know what to say about that, because that’s not my area of writing.
Z
Zoe:
That said . . . I would add one big caveat. You don’t want to be published by a mainstream publisher. Not now, maybe not ever. MOST writers do. When a publisher sees someone has podcasted or e-booked 20 books, a red flag goes up. Again, for those WANTING traditional publishing, the question becomes, “What is wrong with this writing that this person has no agent or no book contract 20 books later” or “just how much is this person churning out and how can all of it be decent” or whatever.
I know a writer who has e-pubbed probably 25 books. I have gone to her site and read excerpts and in my own humble opinion, the flaws are embarrasing. Not typos, etc., though that’s there, but just fundamental character and story issues–cliches all over the place–rampant cliches. Characters asking themselves dozens of questions (always a “device” that screams out: HERE READER, this is what you are supposed to be asking). Whatever it is. Basic writing lessons that those who stick with it long enough learn. So even if tomorrow she wrote the world’s greatest novel–truly. If she learned so much from all those other books that she had a great novel in her . . . there’s the old stuff just screaming out from her site that for years she couldn’t attract a book contract and for good reason.
Again . . . we’re talking traditional route. We’re talking “what does it say”? And it also isn’t about those who put up one chapter or one story, but just keep doing it, with no discernment and no attention to “is this my best showcase.”
Again, doesn’t apply to you, but it does to a lot of people.
E
I’ve never understood the thinking behind posting chapters on blogs. I’m not sure what the writer’s intent might be with this. I’m with you, hold it close, show it to trusted people or professionals in the business. If your goal is a book, it is a business actually, and should be treated as such.
Erica: I posted a reply to Zoe yesterday that I inadvertently deleted when I got THIRTY spams to this post. (Yes, I did. I’m just that lucky) I said the same thing. Since Zoe doesn’t want traditional anything, it works for her. But if someone is looking for mainstream publishing like I am, then it doesn’t fly. For me it’s much less about someone stealing my work than it is about not being a consummate professional and knowing how the industry works.
Joanne: Me either, but I think it’s a bit of naivete. Some writers think that if they post online then an agent will read it and want to rep it or a publisher will read it and want to publish it. I think many think it builds a fan base and perhaps that they can say “my blog readers love my novel.” Again, they are only guilty of being naive. I just hate to see someone good shoot themselves in the foot because they don’t know better or don’t do their homework, ya know?
Erica, I never said I NEVER wanted to be published by a mainstream publisher. What I’ve said is that if I never am, I can live with that and be happy as an indie doing my own little thing.
But there is no way in H*** that I’m getting near a NY pub, without a platform. And if I can’t do that over several years, then I shouldn’t be in this business on that level. If I CAN do that, then I will be rewarded accordingly. But I know the odds are against me getting there, either way.
So I’m not putting my eggs all in that basket.
Most of my acquaintances who now have big contracts, have them BECAUSE they shared their fiction for free, in ebooks and podcasts. This is how I believe fiction writers grow platform.
Numbers talk, and since regular midlisters sometimes take a while to break out, I don’t see why that should apply any differently for indies. And I’ve yet to meet an indie who has put out 20 books, who didn’t want to stay an indie. People who arent’ turning a profit after a certain amount of time, usually quit.
Also, if someone is worried about sullying their name with a publishing company, they should just share work under a pen name. Then when they’re “ready” they can switch names. Mainstream published authors do it all the time. They stop selling, they pick up a new pen name and start all over.
Joanne: I believe writers deserve to get paid, but you don’t get paid for work sitting in a drawer, ever.
I don’t think Jeremy Robinson, Jeff Rivera, Scott Sigler, Or JC Hutchins (boy we need some girls in there), are naive for getting their work out there, building a platform, and getting contracts.
Sigler I have no doubt, is the next Stephen King. Watch this guy. He’s going to bust it wide open.
We really need some girls in this list.
Zoe:
All I did was add a caveat. First of all, I didn’t say “never”–please re-read my post–sentence #3. I said “MAYBE not ever.” Second, I am also not talking about people who seriously vet their work and put it on their site. I am talking about the numerous writers who put extremely unpolished stuff out there, one after the other, after the other. And the message it can send IF they want to be published mainstream. I am not talking about people who start e-Zines, write in certain niches, etc. There are certain people who toss out schlocky story after schlocky story, who cut to the chase e-pubbing or self-pubbing, and a cursory look tells you in an instant WHY they are not published by the mainstream. It was a CAVEAT not a rule. It’s something to keep in mind. Are you showcasing your very best? That is not a foolish question to ask if you have different aspirations than yours, Zoe. I concluded with “does this showcase your best”–it is a WISE thing to keep in mind–again, a caveat. If you re-read the post with an open mind, I can’t imagine you would find cause for disagreement. The people you cite, I imagine ARE showcasing their best work. Many people aren’t or are still so new as writers they don’t even know what’s showcasing the best might even mean.
E
Zoe,
My warning is to simply BE CAREFUL. Writers do steal work, copyrighted or not. And, my personal belief is that MOST (not all) writers who put chapters or books are doing so in the hopes of something that will not happen.
If you query an agent, or meet with an editor, and say “my blog readers love my work” it’s like saying your mother loves it. No one cares. If you have thousands and thousands of unique and valid hits per day, maybe it’s different. Maybe.
Ah, good point Erica. Sorry about that. When you said I said I didn’t want a publisher, even though you said “maybe not ever” the connotation went straight to “never” for me, but I can see where you were only reinforcing my actual position.
Fair enough on the caveat and putting really unpolished stuff up. And it’s an absolutely fair point.
I agree with “showcasing your very best.” But I think it’s also important for my own goals. Because if I don’t “showcase my very best” and keep improving, then I can’t grow my own audience of any size. Not for indie publishing, and not for any later selling out which may or may not occur, depending on the numbers.
And yes, you’re right. I’m not sure why I so easily hit the defensive button now. There is a LOT of stigma against what I’m doing. And I do think having a platform is better than not having a platform. So even if someone isn’t ‘self publishing’ something to sell, then if they are putting out quality work, then doing that to start building a platform with an ebook or podcast, is smart.
But this is definitely something I have to watch out for. This is the path I’ve chosen, which means I have to own it. And owning it means not becoming bitter, angry, or whiny about it when I’m part of a “stigmatized group.”
Although I made a joke on your blog about it, I don’t have the right to become a martyr in the path I’ve chosen. I can be a big girl and suck it up, or I can shut up.
At the very least, I can read posts/comments from others without assuming they are on a war path.
I’m going to add a P.S. here because I visited Jeremy Robinson’s website because Zoe said he was someone posting online and self-publishing and taking an alternate route to success.
I recommend you read his Bio.
He did self-pub his first book. BUT he was incredibly well-connected in the very incredibly main stream world of publishing and screenplay writing. His book was a self-pubbed best seller on the internet. He is one in a million and again? He was working in the industry he wanted to succeed in. He was working with people who could help him along eventually.
That isn’t posting chapters online. That’s not only working hard, that’s working smart — and within the parameters of the industry you want to conquer.
Hey Amy, hehe, you’re right too. (see my comment to Erica, it applies here.)
This is a habit I have to break myself of NOW. Or yesterday, preferably.
I can’t be Pollyanna if I’m whiny.
While I can agree with what you’re saying: “most writers put out work with the hopes of something that will not happen.”
Most writers query agents with the hope of something that will not happen. It doesn’t happen for everyone.
If you have thousands of readers, it does make a difference. This is how a few podcasters have gotten their work picked up.
Hey Amy, actually I’ve been in contact with Jeremy. He got James Rollins to blurb his book, but he was a complete nobody when he contacted him. He wasn’t well connected until he started making connections.
First James Rollins blurbed him. And then once he got on Amazon.com an agent discovered him. These were not connections he had prior to seeking them out after having written his book.
And no, he did not post chapters online. I don’t really think “posting chapters online” is the most effective method. I think if one wants to build platform they are far better off giving away a free ebook or doing a podcast.
And yes, he’s in screenwriting, but he was by no means a “name” anywhere. He started out publishing on lulu.com. If he had stronger “connections,” he wouldn’t have had to do that, I would think.
Zoe, you need to read his bio. He might not have published conventionally but he was working in the industry. He had people who could pay attention to him, and they did. He worked his ass off in LA swirling around the publishing and movie industry where he could get noticed.
And for me, “a few” podcasters getting picked up means nothing.
I wish you much luck with your ebooks and podcasts.
You’ll have to buy my book at a bookstore.
Hey Amy, I HAVE read his bio. Jeremy’s book: “POD People” about POD publishing, and that book goes a lot more in depth about his novel publishing path.
James Rollins didn’t know him from Adam when he contacted him. He read his book though, liked his book, and blurbed his book. Yes, this was incredibly lucky. But, James Rollins was not a former connection for him.
His agent came to him (again via his story in his book written about POD publishing) via discovering him on Amazon.com After he had gotten blurbed by Rollins, and self published with lulu.com of all places, and put his book on Amazon.com.
Neither of those big “breaks” the blurb, or the agent, had anything to do with any film connections or industry connections he may or may not have had. None of this had to do with him being “Jeremy Robinson: in the business.”
My point about mentioning the podcasters is…these are recent events. And this type of thing is happening more and more. This is how I believe the publishing industry is shifting. I could be wrong, but this is my forecast.
Nonfiction authors didn’t used to have to have a platform to be published by a major publisher. Now, they do.
Fiction authors don’t currently have to have a platform to be published by a major publisher, but… with things like changing technologies, and ebooks, and podcasting and social media, more and more fiction writers are starting to build a platform.
This is attractive to major publishers. I believe this trend will continue. And as it does continue and grow, I believe eventually that to have a major NY publisher (as opposed to a small pub or epub), fiction authors will need platforms via these methods.
It may not happen, but in ten years we can look at the state of things and see if my prediction about fiction writers and platforms held true.
I hope to find your book in a bookstore, assuming the chain bookstores don’t go under (like chain record stores did.) Otherwise, I’ll pick your book up at Amazon.com, a niche independent bookstore, or Walmart or Target.
I once had an irate email as a result of pulling some business pages off my website as they were out of date. She was USING THEM, she told me, for a class she was teaching. How dare I remove them. I probably would have worked with her to sort something out if she’d asked, but it was the demanding tone and implication that I had done something completely unreasonable.
Lately, as I see more and more of my stuff pop up on random scraper websites, I realise that she was the polite one and what most people do is, as you say, cut and paste and hey, who cares about the original source.
One of the nice side effects of my odd blog format is that this is less of an issue. Twice people have typed out my words to put onto their own blog but they’ve also made sure to link back and offer credit. There’s something to be said for breaking copy-and-paste although that was never my intentions.
I know of no incidents of poetry stealing on-line, probably because there is no money in the genre. I know of several published poets whose work I admire who publish early drafts of their poems on their blogs and Facebook pages, and none of them seem concerned about plagiarism. I am reluctant, however, to publish non-literary prose on-line that I hope to be paid for.