Authors Beware!

[MorganHawke]

Dear Literotica authors,

This note was brought to my attention from a public board:

***
I am looking for someone who has experience writing/editing adult stories...I need some stories done. Please email me : **** or just reply to me on this board.
-thanks

***

Thinking that this sounded interesting, I answered:

***

My name is Morgan Hawke & I write erotica.

Go to: DarkErotica.Net & vist my Erotic Visions page for a complete list of my online published works. Click the individual links to read. It is a private site - not a professional so you do not have to have a membership or shell out your Credit card.

Morgan Hawke

DarkErotica.net
http://www.darkerotica.net

***
The conversation continued thusly:

***
Hi,
What I am looking for is someone who can take stories that exist and re-write them so they are unique and sell those to me.

I am only after cumshot/blowjob/facial related stories...and would need a pretty nice number of stories done....around 100-200 stories.

Please let me know if this is possible also give me your prices, etc.

-thanks
-Steve

***
Hello Steve,

Rewriting stories are easy - it's crafting them from whole cloth that's time consuming. I understand that you need about 200 stories.

A few questions:

What is the expected word-count for each? (A short story averages between 5000 & 6000 words.)
Are your stories already outlined, or written, (however badly) to work from?
*These will give me some idea as to how much time each tale will take.

Who is your target audience? Male or Female?
*This will determine my writing style & language.

Do I get credit as the author?
Can I use a psudonym?
Will there be an editor for my finished products, or at least a proof-reader?
What do you intend to do with these pieces? (I don't need names or specifics - for the Internet, paperbacks or magazines will do.)

I am the editor for an adult magazine - most magazines & lower end romace novels pay a penny a word. This is normally my going rate.

Morgan Hawke
DarkErotica.Net

***

Yes rewriting stories is correct.
The length would be 2000-5000 words.

It would be easier for me if you got these stories from the net....yourself. So they would be already written and you would choose the ones that work best for you.

Male audience only.

Yes you can have your name as the author on the story....and no proof reader it would be all you...

Internet use only.

Keep in mind facial/cumshot/blowjob stories only.

-thanks
-Steve

***

Steve,

Let me see if I have you correctly...

You do not have a set of Your Own stories or a set formula / outline to work from - I am to find 200 stories that were written by other people, at random, steal them, and make cosmetic changes.

This is a bad idea.

I had someone take one of mine & do so. I have been posting tales for 2 years now - but my stories are so popular they are Very recognizable. Fortunately, he was so bad at writing, that he didn't even change the sentence structure, just a few colors & names. The rest of the tale was basically whole.

I was notified by one of the main editors of the site I normally publish on.

That plagiarist was not only kicked off - but blackballed. There are only so many sites you can post written stories on.

I and any other legitimate writer cannot afford to do this - it would cost us our reputation.

I do understand that you need these in a hurry. I completely sympathize. However, the best fix for your situation is to make an outline yourself, of the tales you want. You only have 3 categories, so this should not be difficult, then hire a writer to use your 'Formula' to craft fresh tales. This is how Harlequin Novels does their short paperback books - they use a specific formula.

1-Boy meets girl in first paragraph.
2-They Fall in Love by third chapter.
3-Fourth chapter, they break up.
4-Spend next 6 chapters trying to get back together.

There are 10 chapters, at 1000 words per chapter (give or take.)

Ta-Daa!

The main drawback to this is that your subject matter is not conducive to 5000 words. I mean, just how many ways Are there to describe, facials, blow-jobs & cumshots? If you are lucky - you Might get 2000 words per story. This is not a bad thing - there are a LOT of sites that prefer 2000-3000 words. The average pay site does this.

The other drawback is time. It takes time to craft an entire story. Especially 5000 words worth of material.

If you look at mine - you will see 2 things.

One - my material is completely original - no one anywhere was writing these types of stories - That's why I wrote them. I wanted to read them & there just weren't Any to be found.

Second, I actually have one hell of a vocabulary. Women prefer their tales highly descriptive. Lots of big flowery words. Surprisingly, I have just as many male fans as I do female because I take the time to be Really graphic between my big flowery words.

I specialize in erotica. What you need is a porn writer. Porn-writers are a dime a dozen. One that can actually use the English language & knows something about sentence structure may be a little more difficult - but not impossible.

Come up with a formula & I will definitely give it a try. If I am only writing 2000 words, it will take less time to write and be more graphic. If your readers are male then they don't want to read a 5000 word story anyway. They just want foul language and sex. Two things I am very fond of.

I'm sorry - but I cannot steal another person's work. I just can't.


Respectfully,

Morgan Hawke
DarkErotica.Net

***

I have received no reply - as of yet.

Authors Beware -

Someone is out there is Paying people to steal your work.
Sooner or later - someone WILL take this gentleman up on his offer.


Morgan Hawke

DarkErotica.Net
Literotica.com / Author's Page:
http://literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=814

 

[Sabledrake]

Yeesh ... I've seen stuff like this happen before, had it happen to a couple of my stories ... but this is a new low from my experience. Thanks for the warning.

Sabledrake

 

[Sateema Lunasi]

I have been offered something similar about a year ago, only by a different person. I didn't do it either. I am glad you didn't. Easy money is tempting but I am glad you have integrity. Thanks you.

 

[MorganHawke]

Story Thief Beware!

- Thank you SableDrake, (nice website by the way!)

I've only had one of my stories stolen, so far - and the moron had the gall to post it Here - on Literotica! (Thank you again Weird Harold for spotting that!)

- Thank you Sateema,

I have been contacted by site owners to have my tales put on their sites before. In most cases I have done so, because they were nice enough to Ask, (and I was flattered.)

But This is Different. It seems to me like someone out there has a new story site & is in a hurry to collect quality post for his site. Very likely it is a Pay site - so the quality had Better be high, or he loses all his customers.

This is where it complicates things for the authors of Literotica -

Literotica is considered one of the Very Best (if not The Best,) of the story sites. The quality of the stories are consistantly higher than most of the other sites - including most pay sites. (Thanks to the Editing folks!)

Because of this - that makes us easy prey. Everyone knows that the best tales are here - so we are more likely to get ripped off.

It sucks to be so good.
(Too bad we can't help it!)

We'll just have to keep an eye out for each other.

 

[Chicklet]

Is there any way to protect ourselves from this, or do we have to just sit back and frown as it happens?

Chicklet

 

[Quint]

P'raps I should stick to writing "how-to." Doubt THOSE are in jeopardy!

Morgan, I haven't even seen other erotica sites (besides anime fanfiction, which on megasites IS pretty terrible), so just the availability of Lit puts it at risk. (Hence the damnable lawsuit.) You are definitely too good to be hacked, and your work is quite recognizeable. Someday I might even be able to say the same bout my own...once I actually have enough posted to be granted a "style."::wistful sigh::

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm terribly naive, and I hadn't even considered something like this happening. And who in their right mind wants 200 cumshot stories, anyway?

 

[Route66Girl]

There probably isn't any way to prevent it. It's part of the price we pay for relative freedom on the internet.

I know that Literotica assures its authors that their work remains their own after publication here, etc. And I understand that they can't help it if some jerk decides to steal our stuff.

But I've also noticed that some authors put copyright notices on the stories themselves. Does this prove to be a good deterrent, signaling to a would-be plagiarist that you're especially vigilant about looking after your material?

 

[jon.hayworth]

I use the copyright symbol on my work. It probably does not deter the out and out pirate. However if I saw my work being stolen I assure the theif I would take all steps possible to take action against them.

In the UK we do not have to register our work for it to be copyrighted, only have some means of prooving the date the work was created. - Some people do this by putting a copy in a sealed registered letter and sending it to themselves, keeping the unopened, datestamped, envelope and contents on file.

It would appear that the date of posting a story on Literotica, would also serve (in a UK court) as proof of copyright. Copyright is (almost) universally recognised and therefore provided you have satisfied the requirements of one country - probably the place you reside - your copyright is recognised worldwide. The problem is the costs of enforcement, fortunately in the UK copyright infringement is a crime enforced by the police and Trading Standards.

Hope this helps,

jon

 

[p_p_man]

It would appear that the date of posting a story on Literotica, would also serve (in a UK court) as proof of copyright.

That's what I bank on as well and that's why most of my work is submitted to Lit first before being submitted elsewhere.

Though I suppose e-mailing your story to yourself would serve the same purpose.

 

[Elizabeth Brandon]

Strange emails

I have received some strange emails asking me to allow this site,
(for the life of me I cant think of the name SEX.EGO *I think*)
to have my stories to post there now I like people reading my work but wouldn't it have been better just to invite me to the link then see if I wanted to post there...seems they just want to fill
space... I said no I am wondering if anyone else got the same email?

 

[Quint]

For the second time....

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80251

 

[ChaoticLil]

Re: Strange emails

I have received some strange emails asking me to allow this site,
(for the life of me I cant think of the name SEX.EGO *I think*)
to have my stories to post there now I like people reading my work but wouldn't it have been better just to invite me to the link then see if I wanted to post there...seems they just want to fill
space... I said no I am wondering if anyone else got the same email?

i just checked my mail here and had one also. Since they can't even formulate a simple sentence, i'm not going to even respond. This is the letter that i had waiting:

From: EGO - Erotic Stories <sexstory@ego.net.ru>
To: ChaoticLil <ChaoticLil@literotica.org>
Subject: Publication of your stories
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 08:20:29 +0400

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello, ChaoticLil !

You are disturbed by administration of project EGO. In the near future we plan
to create a site devoted to erotic stories (it is possible to familiarize with
the prerelease version of the given site to the address
http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/index.php ).

Therefore, we ask from you of the sanction to the publication of following your
stories:

1) The Morning After
2) A Day In The Life Of A Slut

Please, click the link
http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/check/yes.php?email=ChaoticLil@Literotica.org if you
resolve to us the publication of these stories.

If you do not resolve the publication of your stories on our site, please, click
this link
http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/check/no.php?email=ChaoticLil@Literotica.org .

If you had any questions, contact us on e-mail sexstory@ego.net.ru .


With the best wishes,
administration of project EGO.

 

[MorganHawke]

Progect Ego

Damn - they didn't send Me a letter!
I must not have what they are looking for.

 

[Axeltheswede]

Ego shit

Damn, no email for me either. I am outraged at missing the opportunity to be outraged. I kind of feel I was slighted to be left out of the "disturbed" category.

 

[Closet Desire]

If you want to protect...

...your work then don't give it away. Don't post it and don't rely on the courts or the cops or trading standards to jump to your defense when a porn site in Russia or Hong Kong nicks your work. They have better things to do.

Yes, you own the copyright the moment you create something, but everything you do from that point on determines how much compensation you might be awarded. If you are not in the habit if earning money from your work then it's hard to claim damages. You need to be able to prove not only that but how much your potential losses were as a result of the theft. Then, if by some miracle you do get an award, you have to collect it--from somebody who had no scruples in the first place.

I've said it before--if you like writing and sharing your work then that is your reward. Posting your work on the web is to expose yourself to the risk of theft. It's like leaving your car unlocked with your stereo in plain view. It's gone and no court is going to have much sympathy because you didn't "mitigate your damages."

If you want to protect your work then don't post it where it's practically an invitation to steal.

BTW there are actually quite a few really good erotic lit sites although Literotica.com is the biggest one I've seen.

 

[Velius]

Anyone....

I don't write much erotica (mostly I do sci-fi fantasy)...but I am thinking this guy could use one pulled over his head. I don't have any plan in mind, but it's still a nice idea...

 

[SweetSexyLady]

To think that ppl would pay others to actually steal stories makes me ill!!! I am grateful that I may not have any thing to worry about as yet, since my stories aren't quite worth stealing, yet...I hope.

 

[MsLinnet]

Closet Desire

I AM WITH YOU ON THIS
If you don't want it pinched dont post it and as you say the police are not intrested or don't have the time to waste we are not writing a noval are we?
love the AV

 

[Closet Desire]

Thanks!

I'm glad you like the AV. Her name is Monica Harris and she's a struggling young model in the UK. We've used a different shot of her on the back cover of our newest book. She is lovely--both through the lens and in person.

 

[MsLinnet]

Re: Thanks!

I'm glad you like the AV. Her name is Monica Harris and she's a struggling young model in the UK. We've used a different shot of her on the back cover of our newest book. She is lovely--both through the lens and in person.

so its not you...
so you are an imposter

 

[Closet Desire]

ha...ha...ha

That's a riot. If I posted MY picture Laurel would have no choice but to remove it. Some old, grizzled 40 something with a mop of hair and a beard? Who wants to see that on Lit?

You must be thinking of ClosetDesireable--my other half! She's appeared in my AV before. Say, I'll post her later today.

Just as an aside--just spent a few days in Devon--Torquay actually--for a conference. Lovely country--pleasant change from the flat lands where I am.

 

[MsLinnet]

hay i wasnt joking i would love to see you for who you are
love linnet

 

[Dragonette]

Yes, I got that one!

Hello, Dragonette !

You are disturbed by administration of project EGO. In the near future we plan to create a site devoted to erotic stories (it is possible to familiarize with the prerelease version of the given site to the address http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/index.php ).

Therefore, we ask from you of the sanction to the publication of following your stories:

1) My New Slave or Am I His?
2) Dreaming
3) A Shower
4) Lady Gillian
5) I Am
6) The Pirate Queen
7) Surrender Ch. 1
8) Midnight
9) Surrender Ch. 2
10) Gladiator Slave Ch. 1
11) Surrender Ch. 3
12) Surrender Ch. 4
13) Surrender Ch. 5
14) Surrender Ch. 6
15) Surrender Ch. 7
16) Surrender Ch. 8
17) Dragonette's Tears
18) Knowledge Over Feelings
19) Christmas Cheer, No!
20) I wish for an ending
21) Gladiator Slave Ch. 2

Please, click the link http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/check/yes.php?email=blue_dragonette@yahoo.com if you resolve to us the publication of these stories.

If you do not resolve the publication of your stories on our site, please, click this link http://ego.net.ru/sexstory/check/no.php?email=blue_dragonette@yahoo.com .

If you had any questions, contact us on e-mail sexstory@ego.net.ru .


With the best wishes,
administration of project EGO.



Now I am truly disturbed! LOL
Had a quick look at the site, didn't answer the email

 

[DVS]

Not to be the messenger that gets killed with this information, but if anyone is downloading mp3s of registered songs, it is very similar. Napster is gone, but up to 10 other sites took over.

The difference here may be they have made money from their song, but it is still stealing.

And I agree if a struggling writer (high emphasis on the struggling) gets a story stolen, it just compounds the struggling.

The Internet is a great tool for the struggling writer or composer. But, it is also a great tool for those planning on thieving their work.

 

[bearlee]

I'm not very computer literate but when you somehow post the email you received and it contains links couldn't somebody come on here and "resolve" you one way or the other?