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Cheeky! To be honest, I didn't even notice that. I sort of got it into my head that I wanted someone... anyone... to publish anything I'd written... in any form, so I just rushed ahead and submitted (it was free) and a few days later I got an email saying they would include it. There is quite an international feel to the site and you have to state which languages you are happy writing in (in my case, English, French and Italian). I read a few things in German and in English too and a couple I liked very much. I think, or rather I assume, that it is very, very new, hence the lack of posts. But, as I've just said, I didn't look too closely at it - except to note that the author retains the rights to their work. So I haven't completely sold my soul. Ummmm, at least I hope not!
Now I'm feeling foolish. No contract. I'm kind of new to writing in a way (although come from a family of writers - mostly dead now). I wrote a short book about the history of our town (in France) that was published locally in 2007.
I might give it a whirl myself, in fact. See what's what.
No offense taken. Unlike earlier today. I'd added the link to my facebook page and a friend (a real person that I know a little bit in real life!) said: "Umm, not my cup of tea to honest. It has that highbrow, slightly patronizing tang to it." I wished he hadn't bothered to comment at all (it is not as if he regularly comments on my posts, in fact, this was a first.) I guess it really got up his nose. Ho hum@Rachel Caldecott-Thornton I meant no insult I swears, missus!
@Kitty No expert, but everything published there has an "the author retains all rights" type blurb at the bottom, so it looks like they are doing this just as a form of organised self promotion, maybe? If the forums were not such a wasteland, I'd be a lot more enthusiastic about it, but man: they are scary!
I must admit I did see this site as a way of promoting myself to a whole new audience. I didn't want to come across as highbrow or patronizing or pompous. I just wanted to make people laugh.Well, your first mistake is Facebook...No offense taken. Unlike earlier today. I'd added the link to my facebook page and a friend (a real person that I know a little bit in real life!) said: "Umm, not my cup of tea to honest. It has that highbrow, slightly patronizing tang to it." I wished he hadn't bothered to comment at all (it is not as if he regularly comments on my posts, in fact, this was a first.) I guess it really got up his nose. Ho hum
@Rachel Caldecott-Thornton I meant no insult I swears, missus!
@Kitty No expert, but everything published there has an "the author retains all rights" type blurb at the bottom, so it looks like they are doing this just as a form of organised self promotion, maybe? If the forums were not such a wasteland, I'd be a lot more enthusiastic about it, but man: they are scary!
It is hazy, innit? I think the gist of it is that this guy (its just one dude) is not publishing your work. He is merely displaying it at your request. It is a place for authors to advertise themselves, rather than any form of publishing. What use this is, I do not know, but there we are.
Thank you
I'm not sure you are correct there. Unless you agree to a contract - digital or otherwise - that states you are giving them publishing rights, you retain everything. This site does not ask for anything other than you permissions to display the work. Like I say, far from certain, and I am not sure that the site has really thought through what they are doing, but I don't think you lose anything for publishing here.
Useful links @Carol Rose
I like the fact that this guy seems to be encouraging international penfriends too. I think it may not be the best forum for writers, but it is about communication and that is something the world needs more of. So, given that the piece wasn't the best thing ever written and I doubt whether it will ever be published properly elsewhere, I'm going to leave it where it is and not worry about it anymore. I'm always being told to write, write, write in order to improve my skills, so this is just a little lesson I've given myself
I like the fact that this guy seems to be encouraging international penfriends too. I think it may not be the best forum for writers, but it is about communication and that is something the world needs more of. So, given that the piece wasn't the best thing ever written and I doubt whether it will ever be published properly elsewhere, I'm going to leave it where it is and not worry about it anymore. I'm always being told to write, write, write in order to improve my skills, so this is just a little lesson I've given myself
And now you also have more information about copyright and publishing rights than you did before, so you learned more about the industry. And that, too, is never wasted information. 
