How do I protect my work?

I hope this is the right place to ask this question but how do I protect my writing from being stolen or misrepresented when handing a finished work to someone who is essentially publicising it for me but not in written form? I think it'd be a great idea to use to get my work out there but i don't want to risk losing it at the same time if my wording here makes any sense. I'm finding it difficult to find the exact words i want to describe this accurately right now. Please any advice on this would be very helpful.


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Just to clarify - you've finished something, let's say a short story. You want someone to help you promote your work so you give the finished version to someone so they can write about you on their blog/website for example. You're wondering how you keep your work safe from that person so that person doesn't then claim your work as their own?

If that's the case, I think your best bet is doing a ton of research before you reach out to someone for publicity. Make sure they're a professional person who is charging reasonable fees, has a professional looking website, has references, etc. Look at people they've promoted before and try to talk to those people about their experience if you can. You can look on Absolute Write to see if there is any chatter about them being a scammer.

Well this is more for a podcast but would the same thing apply in that case too?


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I think it depends on where you're publishing it. I would make sure they have an easily-accessible Copyright Policy, and if they don't have it available to view, demand to see one. Don't show them any of your writing until you see their policy.

Iggy wrote:I think it depends on where you're publishing it. I would make sure they have an easily-accessible Copyright Policy, and if they don't have it available to view, demand to see one. Don't show them any of your writing until you see their policy.

Thank you. I am new to sharing my work in this form so is as unsure how to go about things.


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I'd recommend checking out Writers Beware for tips and their blog which you can search for existing scams, and for clues on what to look for.

I don't fully understand your situation so it's hard to give anything more specific than that unless you can give more details?

Also, if you want you can drop a link to the company offering to publicise in here and some of our more experienced YWS hounds will see if they can dig up anything fishy.

Well tbh it was just messages from what seemed like a start up project thinking about it there doesn't seem to be any sign that i would have any guarantees beyond promises so I'm thinking as awesome as it would be i best not.....


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Sounds like a good choice.

I sometimes feel bad for people who try to start projects and don't really get the response they want, most of them have good intentions, but at the same time good intentions are not always responsible intentions. If they're new at this then as a writer you have to take those steps to protect your work.

If you're looking for publicity with audio stuff then local or charity run radio stations might be willing to do something in return for volunteer work. Mine was quite happy for me to read my work on air and keep all rights to it as long as I filled an specific slot once a week on their program.

To be honest umm not sure if that would be the best way to promote my work as i have discovered i am definitely a novel length sort of writer.


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