Question about "free re-print" section

[puppylove531]

Hi everybody. Okay, this question is probably answered somewhere... but I can't find it.

I posted a few things in the free reprint section today. My question is: if someone wants to use one of my articles are they required to contact me so I know where it has been used? I hope the answer to this question is YES.

Thanks!

Love, Teri

[glorybee]

Sorry, but no. Mine have been printed and re-printed many, many times, and not a single person has contacted me.

It's okay with me that I don't know--I can only pray that someone is being touched by what I wrote. But yeah, it would be nice to know.

[Deb Porter]

As Jan said, the answer to that is no. With free reprints, there are no strings attached. Although there is the option for them to contact you (and I always do for the magazine), very few do. That is one of the things with free reprints. The idea is to just get your work out to the public.

Love, Deb

[puppylove531]

Wow... okay. Well, Jan - how do you know when yours have been used? Do you just stumble across them?

Love, Teri

[Deb Porter]

Teri, jumping in for Jan.

You get a rough idea if you see that someone has printed or reprinted your work. If it is printed, that means they went to the page that had a printer friendly version and printed it off for their own use.

If you see that you have one reprint, that means someone has clicked on the "Use Article for Free" link at the top (or what it is), and may have copied the plain text or HTML version of your article for use in a print or online publication. No guarantees. Sometimes people click on the link and don't do anything at all, but it will still be noted as a "reprint" or "print" when you look at the "Manage Your Articles" page.

If an article has been used in a print publication (church bulletin, magazine, etc), then you really aren't going to have much success tracking it down. If it is online, then you may eventually find it by doing a Google search for your name.

I've always given my work away because it's ministry first. But this is why members should only put things in the free reprint section that they are willing to have used without their knowledge. It can be helpful to do a Google on the titles of the articles from time to time as well. That may show it up as well.

Love, Deb

[puppylove531]

Ok... I did not realize we would know if someone clicked on it, etc. I am fine if someone uses the stories - I only posted the ones that I wasn't planning on submitting elsewhere. I would much rather them get read than sit "rotting" on my computer. LOL

Love, Teri

[puppylove531]

It's me again. Obviously I'm still getting the hang of things. I just figured out the "manage my articles" button.

Good grief. My stories have gotten quite a bit of action already. I can see why this is a great way to get your name out there!

Love, Teri