I had been thinking about what to write today.

I was mulling over the idea of writing about gratitude and thankfulness for my life.

But then this piece caught my eye and I got thrown onto a train that was heading in an entirely different direction…

I don’t know why I’m surprised when stories like this show up.

I am pretty sure all my great meditative tricks would have flown out the window and my head would have exploded if I received the email that blogger Monica Gaudio allegedly received from managing editor Judith Griggs at Cooks Source.

Gaudio had discovered that her blog posting had been lifted, edited and then used in Cooks Source magazine with no notice or compensation. When she wrote to tell them this, she was apparently told that they could do what they wanted because everything on the web – including her blog – was in the public domain and free for the taking.

Griggs apparently told her Gaudio should be grateful that they edited and fixed up her work.

The arrogance is rather staggering. It’s bad enough that writers end up feeling compelled to sign gutting contracts from so many of the publications out there, but to then be told that we have no rights to our work at all is supremely insulting.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Recently I had a request from a magazine that wanted to reprint a story of mine. When I checked, I realized I had no rights to it for the next three years. Meanwhile, the paltry sum I received was supposedly compensation for the publication to use it in print, on the web and wherever in the world (literally), and in whatever form they felt like.

Yes, I know I signed it, but it would have been no sale at all if I hadn’t. Just for the record I will not be revealing what story or publication that was. I still would like to continue to be published.  

I’ve had stories of mine used without permission in various places and have fought hard to have them removed but I’m sure there is even more of my work floating around out there that I haven’t yet traced.

So, for any of you weasley types who are scooping photos and text and thinking you’re getting away with something? 

It’s called theft. It’s called operating without integrity. It’s called bad karma people.

I hope you come back as the worm you are.

I guess I’ll be writing about gratitude another day…