Everything I write is my intellectual property, subject to protection under US and International Copyright Law.
If you want to share my stuff with others, the following rules apply:
1. Online Reposting:
If you want to repost something that I wrote in its entirety on your blog, website, forum or any other online medium, you need to ask my permission first.
Don’t post it, and then ask. Ask first.
Here’s how you do it, email me at the address posted on Stonekettle Station’s main page, provide me with a link to your website so that I may look at it as part of the decision making process. I want to know where my material is going and in what context it will be published.
If I give you permission to repost my material on your site, unless I specifically state otherwise the following guidelines apply:
If you alter my material in such a manner that it appears to support political, intellectual, social, commercial, or religious positions that I did not intend or endorse, I’ll sue your ass into the poor house, so don’t do it.
I have standing agreements about republishing my stuff with certain websites. They are exempt from certain portions of this rule, they know who they are. Do not assume you are one of them.
2. Linking and sharing
If I give you permission to repost my material on your site, unless I specifically state otherwise the following guidelines apply:
- The article will be reposted verbatim. No modifications, no additions, deletions, or edits. Period
- I get the byline. My name and a link to Stonekettle Station will be clearly included at the top of the article
- If you make money off of my article, then I make money off of my article. The compensation and payment schedule is to be agreed upon prior to publication
If you alter my material in such a manner that it appears to support political, intellectual, social, commercial, or religious positions that I did not intend or endorse, I’ll sue your ass into the poor house, so don’t do it.
I have standing agreements about republishing my stuff with certain websites. They are exempt from certain portions of this rule, they know who they are. Do not assume you are one of them.
2. Linking and sharing
You're welcome to share my stuff via email or on social media sites, such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and so on. If you want to point people at a post on Stonekettle Station (and thanks for that by the way), the standard rules of Common Usage apply
- You don't need my permission to post a link
- You may post a couple of lines from the article, or even a short paragraph, verbatim
- You must include a link or the URL to the rest of the article at Stonekettle Station
There are a number of buttons for sharing with social media sites located on bottom of each article. I add or remove other buttons, such as a Facebook “like” badge, on the articles as social media systems evolve. These are the easiest ways to share Stonekettle Station posts without running afoul of my huge pointy-toothed wolverine-like legal department.
3. Quoting me in your own articles, blog posts, and social commentary:
Again, the basic rules of Common Usage apply:
4. Inclusion in Print or eBook Media:
Contact me, we’ll talk about it. Have your checkbook ready.
5. Everything else:
The basic rule of military life is this: if unsure, salute. Same thing here, if you’re unsure of how I’d feel about use of my material, then contact me, we’ll discuss it.
6. Your Stuff:
I don't do guest bloggers on Stonekettle Station. Which is not to say that I can't conceive of some unusual circumstance where I might publish articles written by somebody other than me on the blog in the future. You can ask, but I'll likely say "no thanks." Prepare yourself accordingly.
3. Quoting me in your own articles, blog posts, and social commentary:
Again, the basic rules of Common Usage apply:
- You don’t need my permission to quote me
- Quotes should be short, no more than a paragraph
- You must quote me verbatim. In context would be nice too, just saying.
- Proper attribution is required, though you don’t actually have to include a link to Stonekettle Station.
4. Inclusion in Print or eBook Media:
Contact me, we’ll talk about it. Have your checkbook ready.
5. Everything else:
The basic rule of military life is this: if unsure, salute. Same thing here, if you’re unsure of how I’d feel about use of my material, then contact me, we’ll discuss it.
6. Your Stuff:
I don't do guest bloggers on Stonekettle Station. Which is not to say that I can't conceive of some unusual circumstance where I might publish articles written by somebody other than me on the blog in the future. You can ask, but I'll likely say "no thanks." Prepare yourself accordingly.
If you comment on Stonekettle Station, the comment becomes mine and may get included in future posts or books or other projects or become the object of ridicule. So, you know, follow the rules. One other thing, don't include somebody else's proprietary content in your comments without proper attribution.
I generally do not engage in reciprocal linking. If you link to my site, don't expect me to link back in return or provide an endorsement or sing your praises. There's a page on Stonekettle Station for that stuff, feel free to avail yourself of it.
And finally:
Here’s my one immutable rule: if you’re making money off my stuff, then you damned well owe me a piece of the pie. If you don’t like my attitude about this, then go write your own stuff, simple as that. Everything else is negotiable.
I generally do not engage in reciprocal linking. If you link to my site, don't expect me to link back in return or provide an endorsement or sing your praises. There's a page on Stonekettle Station for that stuff, feel free to avail yourself of it.
And finally:
Here’s my one immutable rule: if you’re making money off my stuff, then you damned well owe me a piece of the pie. If you don’t like my attitude about this, then go write your own stuff, simple as that. Everything else is negotiable.
