Yes, I am a Pay Per Poster...this is my confession...but I won't apologize for it. I enjoy what I do.
First, I get to talk about things that I would normally talk about. I don't have to take a post if I don't agree with the terms, or don't like the service. Basically I don't have to be a hypocrite in order to write posts.
Second, I make money blogging. I get paid to do what I normally would do. How cool is that? All I had to have was a PayPal account, an email address, and a blog. Simple.
Now, I haven't been doing this very long...maybe six months and I only write when I want to...but what little I have written has earned me over $100. I've only put in maybe two hours all told to earn that $100, so you do the math. I'm hoping to put a little more time into it in the next two months, and earn another $200 for a trip to Los Angeles I'm taking in August.
If you like to blog, and think that it would be cool to make a little extra money doing it, then I really suggest using this great service. Just click on one of the links to get started...
Photographs. Generally, they're used to promote products or services, to enhance life, to save memories, or to simply radiate beauty. Not many people think of the ramifications of stealing photographs, especially in the computer generation where theft of such intellectual property is simply a click or two away. Not many people think of the ramifications should a personal photo from someone's site be posted all over the net.
I know the arguments. If the person did not want the photo to be seen or taken by anyone, then they should have set it for private viewing. Photos on the web that are not specifically copyrighted are public domain and are therefore free to be taken.
Those arguments are wrong.
According to copyright law, anything posted by the author, photographer, or artist on a website is protected by copyright law. Now, certain images or works relating to "fanfiction" or "fanart" are sometimes ignored by the owners of those copyrights because of the free publicity that comes with them, but this is no guarantee that they will not take you to court. Also, just because a photo is posted for all the world to see, does not mean that it is public domain...even photos of celebrities. These pictures are the work of others and therefore protected. The only way that they can legally be used for any purpose is to ask the author, photographer or artist.
Then there is the ethical standard that is being violated here. Recently a photo of a celebrity was posted on a website. This photo was sent to the person who posted it, on the condition that it not be posted anywhere else. That agreement was violated, and the photo distributed anyway. This picture contained images of the celebrity and his family including a minor. The same argument came into play. He posted it on his site, therefore it was public domain. He didn't post it as private, therefore it's ok to take it.
The fact is, it was not only a violation of copyright law, but also unethical to take that photo and post it elsewhere. That is someone's family who's privacy is being violated. They did not agree to have their picture all over the web. They had no idea. Just because a celebrity was involved however it had somehow become "OK" to violate their rights. It wasn't, isn't and never will be "OK".
Just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should. Just because it is extremely easy to take a photo from a website without asking, doesn't mean that you should. Just because it is a celebrity involved, doesn't mean that people's rights can be violated in such a manner. They cannot. Think about this...How would you feel if you suddenly found that your child's photo was being bandied about on a website without your permission? How would you feel if your family photos were being used for no other reason than that one person in them was "hot"? Would you appreciate it? Would you think that it was "OK"? I sincerely doubt it.
My new book is now available on Lulu.com! "The Ties That Bind" of a man torn apart by treachery. He returns home after seven years only to find that the dreams he held to save his sanity have shattered. One woman holds the key to his past. A woman who's love and loyalty he desperately needs to find what he's yearned for...absolution. Only together can they uncover the secrets that threaten them both. Only together can they discover that sometimes it is the only the ties that bind that bring salvation.
Look for this and my other book, "A Light in the Darkness" at Lulu.com now!
Writing a book is not an easy task. Getting published is even harder. Most unsolicited manuscripts sent to publishers are rejected. Not some, most. Up to 98%. It's a dog eat dog business and many authors end up being the eaten.
Self publishing is one alternative that authors have to get the words of their mind out to the public where they can do some good.
One genre that's been getting a lot of attention lately is Christian writings. Christian Publishers can help. This website is packed full of useful information on the publishing process and helps authors get their work to the public. The site offers answers to FAQs, resources for authors, and even a free guide book to getting your work published.
If you're tired of waiting for the inevitable rejection letter, it would be a good idea to take a look see at this site and see what they can do to advance your publishing dreams.
*this is a paid post
Everyone knows that I write books. Well, this is a portal for whoever wants to buy one or both. I thought I'd just slide in a little shameless advertising for my work.
As all of you well know, I've written a couple books...three to be exact, and I'm working on my fourth at the moment. I've self-published two of them, but they really aren't selling well. I'd like to see if I can get them seen by a major publisher. The only problem with that is, I really need an agent.
What I need help with is the wording on a query letter that would sell my book to an agent. And advice on how to write a synopsis. I'm great when it comes to long writing, but when I have to break something down into a few words, I'm hopeless. (as you can see, I'm supremely long winded.) Anyone that can give me advice on either would have my eternal devotion.
