Please don’t steal my work!

The Ruby Files reviewed The Cestus Concern Cover Rough

Please don’t steal my work!

I’ve had this issue pop up a few times recently and wanted to address it.

While I understand you may enjoy some of the work I post here on my website – heck, I understand you might even hate some of it – especially if it involves me posting a review of something you’ve written. I know I love to read positive reviews of my stuff. And you’re more than welcome to quote the material I’ve posted…of course, I’d appreciate a link back in exchange, but it’s not “required” – just polite.

With that being said, no one has the right to copy an entire article/review/piece of mine and repost it whole hog onto their own site, with or without crediting me for it. Even if it is the great review of your novel ever posted, you still do not have the right to steal someone else’s work. It’s no respectful and you’re essentially stealing my work when you do it.

Now, there have been a couple of cases where I’ve allowed someone to repost or cross-post one of my articles. That’s fine. As long as you have my permission you’re golden.

My gut reaction when this happens to me is to go ahead and post whatever piece I’ve reviewed, in its entirety, for free on my site for people to download and view. I haven’t done it yet, but it has been tempting. I mean, if it’s ok for you to pirate my work then the reverse is true as well.

The point I’m trying to get across is to have a little courtesy and a little respect for the work of others. Treat them how you want to be treated. Yes, I know suggesting respect and courtesy on the Internet is an insane thing to do.