PUBLISHED or NOT~How do you determine this?

Here I go again in my own research of what is PUBLISHED, concerning credits given as an author. I guess I will probably piss (but hope not) a lot of people off blogging on this subject , but I guess I will take that chance. Am I, or am I not publishing these words for all of you to see? Research tells me, in a large and certain degree, that anything I put on the web, is published. OKIE DOIKE, enough of that.

I have two books on LULU. PUBLISHED, or self PUBLISHED? Same thing, right? That is the question! Anyway you look at it, if copyright, and a book is up for sale or not, or ordered, paid for, regardless if you pay for it yourself, it IS PUBLISHED, and all laws protect you in this.

Lulu, ((whom, I am a party to, and have READ everything concerning the rules and guidelines and regulations, which I abide by, and on and on, etc. yada, yada, yada,) is NOW a published book. GUESS WHAT, I am NOW a published Author. HORRAY for me! YIPPEE!

I know I am making some fun of this, and I like having my book at LULU, as I really wanted to see my works in print, and that was enough for me, and I knew it would go no further, unless discovered in the other thousands of those which are also there. BUT, guess what, I now have the opportunity to do, (which I never will) is to put into everything I write, on any SITE and on any web space, BLOG, POEM, (you name it) I can find, as well as any signatures I use , that I am a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

I guess I come from the OLD school, and I know enough published authors, or have at least read their books, (not to mention countless other books that touched my soul, just like the ones you know so well that started you into the wonderful world of writing, and I do NOT say that with humor at all, but with honesty and heart) to know that when (or if) I am published, (not self published) that I will eventually get a paycheck from it, if discovered, or my words are worth it. And I take my chances on that theory, and I still put written words on, things I hope are needed to give the inspirations to myself and others to continue the journey, and realizing that I will probably not earn much financial gain from it (but do find on the INTERNET needed personal glory, such as awards of being recognized, writing sites I feel I need toward growth of my quest, and feedback and critique that helps me along the way) because I want to just share it, and hopes that someone will see it, respond, recognize it. That alone holds its personal glory for me.

With that last statement made, do not get me wrong, as I think it is very important to PROMOTE your own writing , via Internet or snail mail. And to be aware of being rejected many times over. I expect to be rejected redundate times. And I intend to use that rejection, and any other outlets, facets, and all possible routes to get my words possibly published one day, and hope when I finally find that "certain thing that works" where my words will be noticed, ( in luck, like I have any of that of late), but, maybe, it can happen. I might even be approached by book deal, as others have proved to be. Here I go again, making a long story long, instead of short.

Final words in short, I do not expect to make a fortune by considering my books being published on LULU, and certainly never would consider PA as a publisher for me to make my voice in the world to say, "HEY, Guess what, I am a published Author, and guess by who!"

Getting off my soap box now, and hoping I do not get kicked off of it, by those who do not understand. But, am willing to take the chance of being kicked off with opinions concerning this.

Katie

SPAM~SCAM~FRAUD~THEFT & OTHER INTERNET HORRORS

SPAM~SCAM~FRAUD ~THEFT~and OTHER INTERNET HORRORS!!!

It is no wonder we do not want to open our email on the Internet today. As so much of it is filled with SPAM, SCAM, FRAUD and THEFT and so much more. It is hard to tell what is real, good and positive (no matter how exciting it sounds) without having to do hours of research to tell if it is a good thing or not. So discouraging. Sadly, this really hurts the really exciting and productive things on the Internet.

My husband (and I help a great deal) are POWERSELLERS on eBay, which makes us a direct target. Recently, our eBay was high jacked, (second time around) and PAYPAL was also included. Thankfully, we have learned in hours of research how to avoid this to a hopefull high degree. Trust me, it is very time consuming, not to mention frustrating. And, I wanted to write a great deal on this, and eventually will, but until then~let me just give some education (and advise) that I have learned without links right now, to help you with this, and I start with eBay. eBay now has a protective toolbar that is free to download, which can help you stay updated with what is going on with your eBay as a protective measure. And, this is needed NO MATTER if you buy or sell on eBay.

Also, eBay has incorporated a "MY MESSAGES" which can be found on any eBay account, buyer or seller. USE it, if you get a "uh, that is not right" or frightful message, go to your eBay personal page and read that before you respond to any email.

Concerning PAYPAL, which is a horror story in itself, especially if you are new to it, you can be captured and stolen from. Internet Thief's are so good at what they do now. They are able to duplicate pages to make it look so real, and can scare you to death! I sometimes think I have a cardboard tag on the front of me (as if walking around the street) saying "I am going to get to you eventually, signed- PAYPAL theif." Not this time buddy, I wised up to you, regardless of who you and your scam, fraud, thief friends are. I NOW get sometimes 10 a day from PAYPAL schemes (to my personal email account), and I send all of them to spoof to Paypal. Here is just a hint on how to recognize a fraud email from PAYPAL. It does not have your registered name as PAYPAL always sends to you in their messages (and sometimes you still have to be careful on that), it says that your account has been violated, it says that you bought something you know you did not, it says they are updating records, and so much more. GOOD GRIEF!! Don't trust any of it. Send it direct to PAYPAL spoof, even if you are not sure. They will get right back to you, and you will recognize their response.

I have been meaning to write on this for a VERY long time, and something today made me sure I WOULD write on this. Today I got an email from a fraud concerning Pictures.com, a place where I did submit and entered some pictures on my pets, and they were included in a few books with Pictures.com. This email got me so excited. AT FIRST, as I was told I won so much, and included links to prove so, and on and on, which was very exciting, and then wanted money. Yea, right. I know a lot about this site, and I remember it well, and the last thing they asked was for MONEY! Not only that, the REAL site has ALL my email addresses, and other snail mail addresses (which is how they informed me the pictures would be included in books.)

I have gotten pretty good at this. If it sounds to good to be true, sadly, it more than likely is. And as a protection measure, if not sure, google it, yahoo it, research it. Type keywords in of the site and signature of the major signature in question, that was in your email. (That you got so excited about!)

OK, I am now done with my RANT AND RAVE and MADNESS of this blog, but am still pissed, but can probably sleep better tonight. (today?) I hope the example below helps, written to me, SCAM, FRAUD, THEFT!

Katie


Dear Katie,
In the past, we informed you that you and your artistic accomplishments could have been honored at the International Society of Photographers Convention and Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada -- even though you were unable to attend.
Please note that because so many people took advantage of this opportunity, we have extended the time for you to elect to receive your awards, and benefits of ISP membership, provided that you will allow us to present your photo "Premature Kitten~2 Weeks Old~Sweet" (see your photo here) at our next convention and that you have elected to receive all of the awards and benefits of ISP membership that we have scheduled for you. Your awards, which will be shipped to you at this time, include your custom engraved Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl (see it here), your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and your Full Basic Membership into the International Society of Photographers for 2006.

In this regard, we have arranged for your photographic artistry to be prominently displayed at a future international gathering of photographers. Your photograph, along with your name, will be presented exactly as you created it, so that your artistry receives the exposure it deserves. In this way, hundreds of attending photographers and their guests, who come from all over the world to attend the convention, will appreciate your photograph.

And let me tell you a little about the actual awards and ISP membership benefits that you will receive by mail immediately after you confirm your participation in this prestigious event by allowing us to showcase your photo:
-- Your Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl (a $200.00 value) is a magnificent work of art in itself that measures over 10 inches across and over 11 inches high. It is handcrafted in silver and has your name custom-engraved on a beautiful cherry-wood base (see it here). It is certain to enjoy a special place of pride in your home and will serve as a fitting symbol of your unique photographic artistry.

-- Your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion is a deeply etched bronze medal (a $40.00 value) brilliantly displayed on a 25-inch red, white and blue satin ribbon. -- And your Full Basic Membership into the International Society of Photographers for 2006 (a $60.00 value) entitles you to a personalized membership card, special discounts and contests, and a free subscription to our quarterly newsletter. Please note, if you are already an ISP member, your benefits will be extended an additional year.

Katie, all that's required for us to immediately send you all of these Awards is for you to allow us to formally display your photograph "Premature Kitten~2 Weeks Old~Sweet" at the next convention. Additionally, because you were not present at our last convention, we must also ask you for the necessary funds ($169.00 plus p+h) to cover the costs of the time and effort required to present your photography before future convention attendees, and to cover the costs incurred in insuring and shipping to you these extremely bulky and heavy awards.
Katie, we are, of course, ultimately most interested in meeting you and having you personally present your artistry in front of the thousands of other photographers who attend these live events. Unfortunately, this is was not the case, so we're trying to do the next best thing. But we sincerely hope to personally present you with your most deserved awards in the future.

Sincerely,Craig FosterInternational Society of PhotographersConvention Awards Chairperson

P.S. Your Outstanding Achievement in Photography Silver Award Bowl, bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and personalized membership card, will be shipped to you by Federal Express (your subscription to our newsletter will arrive separately) and will be accompanied by a 100% money back guarantee of your complete satisfaction. If for any reason you're not 100% delighted with your Awards, simply return them any time within 60 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked.

P.P.S. You'll also receive a $100.00 gift certificate off the registration of a future ISP convention so that we can formally recognize your photographic accomplishments in person at a date that's convenient to you.

Writing Scams ~NOW, click this link to see exact same letter, without my name. (but , I am sure someone else was included and probably fell for it.)

PRIVATE MESSAGES~How Private are they? BEWARE

Private Messages~How Private Are They? BEWARE!!!

I am having a problem with this, especially on advertised sites that which go to other well known sites, web pages, blogs, any anything they can find, to advertise that the members have the opportunity to send PRIVATE MESSAGES to one another--in privacy.

OK, anything on the Internet can be copied and pasted, per the discretion of the owner of the private message, to show up in forums, and many other ways, as they are now the owners of such material. Many times it is taken out of context, and it will be (and can be) expected--right or wrong, it happens.

That is NOT my question, but the question that really disturbs me, is: IF ADVERTISED that you have the right to Private Messages, who is allowed to read them, besides you and the one to whom it is addressed? And shouldn't the person reading, take into consideration what is being talked about, or have all the facts, before making assumptions or accusations? (before considering of what you as the sender or the one you send it to goes on?)

DOES the Owner or any of the staff (moderators) of this site have the right to READ your PRIVATE MESSAGES? (OK, I agree they do to a certain degree, if there is a problem--for example, problems that are concerned with the law, and their considerations, (example child issues, flaming or fighting crime~real problems that need to be investigated, might be a problem.)

I know personally of a web page site that reads PRIVATE MESSAGES, and when I heard about it for the 10th time (Or more) , I decided to research it, but guess what, it was down and under construction, with a broom as an ICON (Sweeping the dirt away.) At least it was a good ICON.
Not only that, but due to this website owners, operators, moderators, reading the PRIVATE MESSAGES, while unsuspecting users (members) did not know of, or did not expect, they were BANNED from this site, and bombarded (Should I capitalize BOMBARDED) with hateful emails, and with bullies in toll telling the user of how AWFUL they were, because of what the unexpected users wrote in PRIVATE MESSAGES. READ MY TYPE (since you cannot read my lips) PRIVATE MESSAGES!!

Since I am writing a book on Internet problems, I get these stories of PRIVATE MESSAGES being not so PRIVATE all the time. And from what I can tell, just a simple word or two was used, (non derogatory or not intentional trying to cause harm by the users) , expressing thoughts in PRIVATE MESSAGES.

I am very interested in this, and I am doing a great deal of research on this. My thoughts concerning PRIVATE MESSAGES, and meaning will be ten (10) fold, if not more. To me, it is kind of like opening mail delivered to you. Once you open it, you have the right to share with whomever, but until you do, I consider it PRIVATE. And should be protected by the word of PRIVATE.

Thoughts on this are appreciated.

Words From The Wise

Since I am touching and dealing with sensitive subjects, I did want to point out things my mother wrote in an effort to teach herself, and I think others possibly as well, as her wisdom teaches not just me, but has reached many more, and maybe you, or at least gives you things to ponder on. Things to think about, as we do all think on close subjects to these thoughts, but I, as I am sure many others do, write really long blogs on such simple and profound words, that touch our soul, life or in between space. It amazes me how I can write or think on just one word. Just one word tells so much.

BTW, these words were written in the 1980's by Addie Williams.


It is passing,
This journey into naught.
Mark it well.
It will not come this way again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Truth is a dark cave
Not a point of length.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words are an insult to truth,
Upon their reading at a later time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awash in the dregs at the bottom.
Oh, for the light at the top.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Pride goeth before a fall"
And so doth hope -
And humility, too,
Sometimes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Truth, Justice and Beauty -
We have no right
To ask for more,
And if we're wise,
No desire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inordinate ego
Must die
If Self would live.
~~~~~~~~~
We are all two faced
One visage out there
Another in here.


Authors Den~Addie Williams Site

Still not real good with what to do with the blogs, but I think the bloggers that keep in touch with knows what I am doing. Help is still needed.

VISITORS TO THIS BLOG

I guess everyday, you learn something new. I have had quite a few visitors interested in my blog concerning Trolls, Flame Wars and Cyberstalkers. The majority of these visits are from Canada, but another individual also visits quite often. While I never did give their name, I did give where they are from, and I apologize for this. I received a comment from them, which they asked me not to publish, and I respect their wishes, and this blog was written for you to offer my apology. Katie