Author selling story I edited...without posting to Lit

[CambriaRose]

Is there anything I can do about someone who had me edit their story in 2011, then I found out tonight that it was never posted it on here at all. It is published in a book, not on Literotica. That seems to be a violation of Lit's rules for contacting VE's and not only that, but I think it is highly unfair I edited part of it and got nothing in return, while she got free editing instead of steep editing fees!

 

[LadyVer]

Is there anything I can do about someone who had me edit their story in 2011, then I found out tonight that it was never posted it on here at all. It is published in a book, not on Literotica. That seems to be a violation of Lit's rules for contacting VE's and not only that, but I think it is highly unfair I edited part of it and got nothing in return, while she got free editing instead of steep editing fees!

I would guess there's not much Lit can do, especially after 3 years, but again, I'm guessing. I track all the stories I edit in an Excel worksheet. It helps me keep track of who I've edited for, how long a project takes, and when stories are published.

The thing is, a story can be published here for free, and then published later somewhere else. It would be nice though if stories that were edited and published here, and then published elsewhere on a paying site, that the editor would be compensated in some way. I haven't had a problem so far, but it would only take once to make me decide who to no longer edit for.

 

[_Lynn_]

Is there anything I can do about someone who had me edit their story in 2011, then I found out tonight that it was never posted it on here at all. It is published in a book, not on Literotica. That seems to be a violation of Lit's rules for contacting VE's and not only that, but I think it is highly unfair I edited part of it and got nothing in return, while she got free editing instead of steep editing fees!

According to your post, you only edited part of the story. That would mean the author more than likely had to find someone else to complete the project. You want 'steep editing fees' for part of a job? And for something you didn't keep track of for over two years?

 

[sr71plt]

Is there anything I can do about someone who had me edit their story in 2011, then I found out tonight that it was never posted it on here at all. It is published in a book, not on Literotica. That seems to be a violation of Lit's rules for contacting VE's and not only that, but I think it is highly unfair I edited part of it and got nothing in return, while she got free editing instead of steep editing fees!

If you had edited the whole piece (you didn't post why you didn't edit the whole thing or how long it took you to get back a partial edit or the author waited for a full edit), I would suggest that, if the author still had an account at Literotica, you notify Laurel. Yes, it isn't right for someone to ask for and receive an edit here for something published elsewhere other than here, but this story doesn't seem to be complete. If you didn't complete your end of the deal (edit the whole story promptly), it may be that you abandoned the author and negated the connection yourself.

 

[kbate]

Volunteer means Free.

Your only recourse (without a contract) is to write a bad review of the book on Amazon or wherever the author is selling it.

 

[QuantumJumping]

Don't Worry

Is there anything I can do about someone who had me edit their story in 2011, then I found out tonight that it was never posted it on here at all. It is published in a book, not on Literotica. That seems to be a violation of Lit's rules for contacting VE's and not only that, but I think it is highly unfair I edited part of it and got nothing in return, while she got free editing instead of steep editing fees!

This post you composed has an error. If your editing had one error per paragragh undetected, then they got what they deserved...for free.

 

[kbate]

This post you composed has an error. If your editing had one error per paragragh undetected, then they got what they deserved...for free. :

Your post's errors are intentional?

 

[sr71plt]

Volunteer means Free.

Your only recourse (without a contract) is to write a bad review of the book on Amazon or wherever the author is selling it.

Ummm, no. It happened here on Literotica. If the claimed offending author is a registered member of Literotica, the Web site administration can at least zero them out.

But again, a partial edit isn't a completed transaction. So all of this story hasn't been revealed. There very likely is another side to the story.

 

[Bramblethorn]

This post you composed has an error. If your editing had one error per paragragh undetected, then they got what they deserved...for free.

Big assumption there. Nobody can edit their own writing effectively; an error in a forum post doesn't mean they're a bad editor.

 

[LadyVer]

Big assumption there. Nobody can edit their own writing effectively; an error in a forum post doesn't mean they're a bad editor.

Or a bad writer.

 

[CambriaRose]

To address a few things:

The book is made up of short erotic stories. I edited one of the stories under the guise of it being posted on here. It makes me wonder if the rest of the stories were also edited by other people on Lit. for free. I did hold up my end of the deal as a VE. I edited the story in under 24 hours. We are volunteers and yes we are free, but that is only for this site. Not so someone can avoid paying a real editor! That is the part that makes me the most irritated. It isn't about the money, it is about the fact I take time out of my schedule to help people achieve their dreams of posting a polished story- only to have someone use me that way.

I am very thorough when it comes to editing. This post is not part of my editing, so you can at least be thankful I didn't write in the dreaded text lingo.

The book was just released on Amazon, which is why I never found it until now. The author still has an account here on Lit. I do tend to keep tabs on the authors I edit because I want to make sure they do well with their stories. I've checked periodically and it never was posted. I thought it was weird, but decided maybe she changed her mind on posting it. It was when I ran across it on Amazon that I realized what happened.

I figured there wasn't much I could do about it, but I thought I'd ask just to be sure. Thanks.

 

[lovecraft68]

Not that I can know what the author was thinking, but it could be that he had intentions on placing it on lit and either chickened out or changed his mind or something happened in real life.

Then down the line he decided to take a shot at paid publishing and used the part that you edited as a bigger piece.

Not sure its fair to assume it was the intent from the start to "screw" you. To me if it was he would have had you edit the entire thing.

The fact it was only a piece of the story takes some of the sting from your point as well.

But I think it is a rule lit VE are for lit only unless a writer does it the right way and approaches them about an off lit piece and negotiates a price with them in advance.

 

[lovecraft68]

To address a few things:

The book is made up of short erotic stories. I edited one of the stories under the guise of it being posted on here. It makes me wonder if the rest of the stories were also edited by other people on Lit. for free. I did hold up my end of the deal as a VE. I edited the story in under 24 hours. We are volunteers and yes we are free, but that is only for this site. Not so someone can avoid paying a real editor! That is the part that makes me the most irritated. It isn't about the money, it is about the fact I take time out of my schedule to help people achieve their dreams of posting a polished story- only to have someone use me that way.

I am very thorough when it comes to editing. This post is not part of my editing, so you can at least be thankful I didn't write in the dreaded text lingo.

The book was just released on Amazon, which is why I never found it until now. The author still has an account here on Lit. I do tend to keep tabs on the authors I edit because I want to make sure they do well with their stories. I've checked periodically and it never was posted. I thought it was weird, but decided maybe she changed her mind on posting it. It was when I ran across it on Amazon that I realized what happened.

I figured there wasn't much I could do about it, but I thought I'd ask just to be sure. Thanks.

If they are still on lit have you contacted them?

 

[sr71plt]

To address a few things:

The book is made up of short erotic stories. I edited one of the stories under the guise of it being posted on here.

You having only now made that clear, I suggest again that, if the author still has an account here, you report it to Laurel, because I can't see where the Web site would be happy with editors here being taken advantage that way.

No, I don't think there's anything else you can do about it.

 

[rwsteward]

Let me toss this out.

What if me, as the author, expands on a story posted here on LIT?

I took one of my stories, and expanded it from 18,000 words to 60,000 words. It's been published.

I paid to have it professionally edited.

Does that violate the LIT guidelines?

What about the reverse? Say I take one of my published stories and condense it down to five or six LIT pages. Does that mean I cheated those that paid for my work and then handed it out free ( in the abridged version)

 

[sr71plt]

No, in both cases. I presume you're asking a new question, since those weren't scenarios offered before on this thread.

 

[rwsteward]

You presumed correctly.

 

[Laurel]

The Volunteer Editor's program exists for Lit authors to get help from Lit readers on work to be posted to Lit. Any other use is abuse of the system - and more importantly, abuse of the Volunteer Editor's kindness and time. If that's what's happened in this case, it's extremely uncool.

 

[kbate]

The Volunteer Editor's program exists for Lit authors to get help from Lit readers on work to be posted to Lit. Any other use is abuse of the system - and more importantly, abuse of the Volunteer Editor's kindness and time. If that's what's happened in this case, it's extremely uncool.

Uncool, but also unpreventable unless Literotica takes direct control over the editing process and the transmission of data/stories/Private messaging/emails between account holders on this site. You'd also have to redesign the site rules and legal agreements so that you own the copyright to every word posted, transmitted, stored or otherwise related to Literotica.com.

That terms-of-service agreement would be something to read. :emote:


I have edited several stories which originally appeared on Literotica and now appear in print magazines and in one print anthology, and a couple which were never posted here yet were published on Amazon. I say, good luck to them. I wouldn't edit for any but one of them again but I don't feel cheated of the $800 I would be due for the print anthology. I had no contract and had no expectation of payment for the work completed.

 

[LadyVer]

Interesting. And there's been discussions about naming editors publicly who didn't reply to emails. Nothing compares to an "author" who enjoys free editing on a free site, but prefers to showcase his freely edited story on a paid site.

 

[PennLady]

Interesting. And there's been discussions about naming editors publicly who didn't reply to emails. Nothing compares to an "author" who enjoys free editing on a free site, but prefers to showcase his freely edited story on a paid site.

Then those authors should be named as well.

 

[sr71plt]

Then those authors should be named as well.

Yep. And I would have given that opinion if the topic had come up. I'm all for protecting the editors too when they are being dumped on.

 

[CambriaRose]

The Volunteer Editor's program exists for Lit authors to get help from Lit readers on work to be posted to Lit. Any other use is abuse of the system - and more importantly, abuse of the Volunteer Editor's kindness and time. If that's what's happened in this case, it's extremely uncool.

That's exactly what happened. I almost bet the whole book was edited by Lit volunteer editors sadly.

 

[CeasarBoobage]

<snip>
I have edited several stories which originally appeared on Literotica and now appear in print magazines and in one print anthology, and a couple which were never posted here yet were published on Amazon. I say, good luck to them. I wouldn't edit for any but one of them again but I don't feel cheated of the $800 I would be due for the print anthology. I had no contract and had no expectation of payment for the work completed.

This brings a thought to mind. I have several stories here on Lit, and I removed one of them about two months ago to re-write and post to smashwords (and affiliates, minus amazon, but thats another discussion). I have NOT used an editor here on Lit for any of my work, I used friends (or no one) for editing.

What would the correct thing to do in the case of having a Lit editor work on my story, posting it here, then some time later taking it down to be sold elsewhere, whether or not there was additional work done? Should the editor be asked/notified in advance? I know there is no legal reason to do so, and nothing to stop the author from being a jerk, but what would you editors prefer to see happen?

Would you want input? To be listed on the published work? To have a chance to say 'no' but no power to stop it? If you were consulted or informed prior to the re-publish, would you still black-list the author?

Edit:
My revised story is also free like it was here on Lit. If I were to sell the edited story, would the VE be happy if they were paid a percentage? Keeping in mind, of course, that most people's sales records are horrid.

 

[sr71plt]

If it was edited for Literotica and was posted to Literotica, I wouldn't expect you to worry about where else you posted or published it.