I just realized something and I'm not sure what to think about it. Anyone - strangers, creepers, and the general public, can view the stories posted here without being a member. Now I suppose that wouldn't bother many, but I for one am not too keen on just any random person stopping by for a read. Heck, anyone could come on here, and read and "borrow" ideas from all the wonderful authors here. (Not saying that's happened, but you never know.) Having "member-only" viewing can help keep track of such things. Also, a lot of publisher's don't want stories that have been previously put on the web. They allow for "writing groups" but that is because there is member-only access, so instead of ten thousand people reading the story, maybe only a possible thousand have read it. I'm hoping, please, that this option can come up for consideration. I'm all for guests browsing the forums, but is it possible to put "member-only" access on the threads containing stories/poetry? Thanks.
The only people that can view posts in the review room are members of the forum. Guests can only see the titles and so forth but not the actual posts in the forums. I hope that this helps you.
That's true, only members can already see the items in the review section, which includes short stories and poetry. This can help prevent the stealing of work from happening. However having it as a members only forum does not in any circumstances mean that you will still be OK with publishers. According to what I've read posted around this site, most still won't touch you.
Not true. The publishers don't care as much whether the author has published writing on the web, but whether a piece offered for submission has already appeared on the web. In addition to "first published" rights, material previously posted on the web can be more difficult to prove clear ownership, and it also increases the probablility of scavengers trying to stake bogus claims on the work.
Phew! Glad I was wrong, it scared me for a minute. As far as some publisher's, the ones I have checked out are for ezines, most state that as long as it's a member-only site that the piece is on, it's acceptable. Not all even accept that, and once it's accepted they want the story taken down from the other site. I think most publisher's won't accept the story if it's actually published somewhere else.
Psh... I thought of this so long ago AND got the whole thing instated. Go me! Haha... but yeah, members-only is better because it can track people that view our work. It's not a foolproof system, but it does help somewhat. Not to mention, more members!
Lol, haven't seen you around much lately chocolate bear. How's uni? I miss having you around, bringing about political change on the site
Haha... yeah, back in the dog days of summer, Bambi. College has been pretty cool, trying to work on my social life which seems to be relatively null at the moment. I want to start on another story for that competition - $100 is looking pretty nice. My midterms just ended... so many essays. Though my English is making me a better writer - learning about our audience and whatnot. Never really thought about that before. I just need to think of a plot now...
Well it's definitely good to hear you're enjoying it. And if you want a social life, then steer clear of the internet. It kind of eats it...
Well... I just go back on the internet after the other stuff doesn't pan out... or when I'm doing work... or when I'm bored...
Same Plus, my friends aren't in any state to socialise at the moment. I decided I need some normal friends. God knows why I came here then...
what i can't get is why anyone should think a piece of work is any safer from being stolen in a 'members-only' section, than anywhere else... who says all who become members are honorable critters and wouldn't do such a thing?... after all, no one 'vets' the new members and keeps out any who might be prone to thievery, even if such a thing is possible, which it ain't, right?...
Perhaps, Maia. But humans are fundamentally lazy, and the extra effort of registering will be enough to put the most opertunistic of plagerists off. Admittedly, it will do little to stop someone who is sharking for something to steal, but it is at least of some help. Or at least I think so...
Oh yes, I did not mean at all that it still couldn't happen by a member, but the chances do seem to decrease. I am a member on another writing site, and we had a member try to pass someone else's work off as their own on another site they were on... but with all our member's who branch off onto other sites, it was found out pretty quickly. Only allowing member's to read the stories, does kind of add that extra little safeguard, no matter how small, it is a little more reassuring than having nothing at all.
you might wanna check that out because before i was a member i could go in and read i just could not post. You can ask LPSpider. i had to send him a personal email to get registered cause something got screwed up. jim
One of the reasons that brought this issue to my attention was because I just recently discovered that we can see who is also viewing the same thread as I am. I saw myself, another name, and 1 guest. *shifty eyes* I just checked again... and it's saying that there are guests on some, and none on others... (Mind you, this was in the Strong Character Contest, so maybe guests are allowed viewing there?) <----------- Check it out! I'm upgraded from junior to just member!
lol congrats Weaselword lol and yeah they can read the entries in there as far as I know. Just not in the review room.
Interesting to know. I think the restriction should be covering the strong character competition as well. Most people put optimal effort into contests (especially one you can win money in) so if we are going to be covering work in the review room, I think we should cover it in the contest thread too. It might push people away if they realize not everything is being done to keep their work safe. Just a humble opinion.
