So I was taking a look at some of the poetry I've posted on this blog and thinking, "Wow, this is so far from your best stuff..."  Then I remembered why.  I have been trying deliberately not to post my best stuff on this website.  Whew, for a second there, I thought I had no talent!

But why would I do that to myself?  Why would I present myself to the world as having less than an amazing amount of talent?  After all, plenty of people flood the internet all the time with every emo piece of crap they ever put to paper!  Well, the reason is simple.  If you take your writing seriously in any way at all, you're not going to post it on a blog or on the internet.  There are dangers in it you might not even be aware of that could stop you from becoming successful if you feel that your future is riding on that one perfect poem or story you just had to put on your blog.  Here's why you should avoid publishing your best work or work at all on a blog:

The obvious reason is that things posted on the internet are stolen and turned in by every middle school, high school, and college student out there.  People will take your stuff and make it their homework, because that's what the internet is good for: plagiarism.  But it can also go a step further than that; they might go so far as to claim something you wrote as their own under more serious circumstances than school.  However, this is not what should be most worried about.

The thing to really take note of is that everything published in a blog becomes copyrighted.  If you'll scroll to the bottom of this page and take a look at the fine print near the credits for who created this layout, you'll notice the words "Copyright Notes From Carcosa."  You might think that this is a good thing in that it puts a stamp of ownership and a time stamp on the things that you post, but this is wrong if you're seeking to get your work published in a serious magazine or anthology or even if you want to publish your own book.  Publishers, as a legal precaution, almost never publish anything that has been published somewhere before.  If they don't hold the original copyright, even if you just published it in some nothing little school journal or some such, they could find themselves in a legal predicament if someone notices what they've done.  Publishers want your work to be new to the world through them, and they want to avoid any snags that might bring their company trouble.  Many calls for poetry from magazines will specifically ask for "first time publications only."

I suppose I would consider it prudent to post portions of plays or previously published items, as there is little danger of repercussions in those areas.  A play is generally something you hang on to until it is produced rather than published, and something already published clearly belongs to the publisher and to you to advertise it or cite it at your discretion.  It's also perfectly safe to post something you have no intentions of ever seeking to have published professionally.

On a side note, publishers never consider it professional for you to have copyrighted your work on your own, so if you've written an amazing novel or story, don't rush out to the copyrighting office and get your stamp on it; it'll never get published.

I hope you've enjoyed my tips, and I look forward to sharing with you any publications that my writing may appear in.  I haven't submitted anything in ages, but I'm going to have a little break before graduate school during which I can get my work out there.  I appreciate all of your support!