Q. I’d like to post my work to showcase it and get some feedback, but won’t I lose future copyrights if I do? Must I copyright my work before submitting it?
A. No and No. Quoting from U. S. CopyRight Office, “Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.” Further, “No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration.”
Q. How can I make sure someone doesn’t simply copy my work and claim it as their own?
A. Copyright law offers some protection and is stated at the end of every post. People do break the law though, so many writers regularly check for illegal copying by setting up Google Alerts on phrases or names very specific to their work.
Q. I’ve heard that Copyscape can protect against plagiarism. How does it work?
A. At the Copyscape website you enter the URL of your post and Copyscape searches for duplication. Since you initiate the search manually the free Copyscape only protects against plagiarism that has already occurred. There is a premium version which you can purchase to protect your work.
Q. I published my post but it’s no longer showing up on FWP’s site. Why not?
A. Editors review every posting to assure it complies with FWP standards. If your contribution was deemed unsuitable for general audiences an editor removed it and contacted you.
Q. What are the minimum and maximum word counts for material I want to post?
A. At this time there are no minimum or maximum word count requirements. Remember this is a showcase for your work and online viewers seldom read lengthy postings. Be as brief as you can to capture your readers and showcase your talents.
Q. How do I break up my story into multiple pages for better readability?
A. Enter the edit screen for your post. Click on the HTML tab. Locate your cursor where you want a page break. Insert <!- -nextpage- -> (No space between the dashes; it’s <!dashdashnextpagedashdash>). See the Wordpress document covering nextpage. Repeat for multiple pages.
Q. How many posts can I contribute to FWP?
A. Once accepted, you can contribute as many posts as you like.
Q. Should I keep copies of material I post?
A. Absolutely. FWP is backed up regularly, but is not responsible for assuring continuity of your material.
Q. How will I know how many people are reading my work?
A. The number of views are noted at the end of each post.
Q. How can I increase readership of my work?
A. Build a network of fans, beginning with family and friends. Expand your fan base by joining social networks and encouraging readership by offering a short paragraph or summary of work you’ve posted along with a link to the work on FWP.
Q. Does FWP promote my work to agents and publishers?
A. No, that is your responsibility. FWP will promote the total site to networks of writers, agents, and publishers.
Q. What if someone is just being a jerk and leaves a nasty comment on my work? Can I delete a comment?
A. All comments are moderated by FWP editors. Personal attacks, profanity, or obvious attempts at spam will be discarded before they appear publicly. Thoughtful, respectful comments, even if unflattering toward the writing will be accepted.
Q. How much can I make by including Google Adsense ads in my posted fictional material?
A. That depends on the number of people who view your work and click on your ads. FWP is just beginning (as of Fall, 2009), so readership is low and contributors should expect only minimal earnings until readership builds up.
Q. I want to use a Google Adsense ad format different than the three specified for FWP. How do I do that?
A. That is not presently permitted.
Q. How do I insert ads from other ad networks in my posts?
A. At this time FWP is not supporting other ad networks. Send your recommendation to the editor and it will be considered.
Q. How will I know how much I am making from my ads?
A. Your Google Adsense account displays that information.
Q. I know writers are prohibited from clicking ads on their own posts, but what if friends and family members click ads from different computers? What’s the harm?
A. Click fraud is treated very seriously. Contributors will be banned from the site and their material removed if click fraud is evident, even if the writer is unaware that family or friends are trying to be helpful. Writers are responsible for informing their network of family and friends of the seriousness of click fraud.