[Buffheart]

I have tried, only to find it stolen, so I keep it to myself (except for the story I have not started, that has to be postmarked by the 31st)

[Blessings2You]

Stolen how? I think we own the copyright to anything we write, wherever we "publish". I could be wrong, but you might want to look into that.

If someone publishes something you've posted here, I think you would have a case.

[Buffheart]

I don't know if "stolen" is the right word, but I used to post on websites when I was younger (mostly on Neopets, shame on me), and I found a poem one day that had the same theme as mine, similar structure, and some of the same wording and lines. Of course, it wasn't my best work, and it was probably some 10 year-old kid who thought it was fun, but it taught me to never post my work online again (unless I really don't care much for it)

[braingonebad]

I keep my writing to myself. There are too many places for it to be published for me to even know if it's been stolen. And it's really tough to prove or recoup losses, so it's not worth it unless I'm paid to publish online. Then the site that paid for it is obligated to protect it.

The only exception to that is on the writing forum, where I trust my fellow writers. They're better than me anyway so why would they pilfer my stuff?

[whispers]

I have written a lot throughout the years. I like to share my poems and my thoughts. Usually they represent a contribution to other posts trying to comfort others. I also start my own to give others the opportunity to post theirs.

In that sense, I guess I feel safe because I am sharing just as others are. I never posted anything on the web. I am not very brave... If I did post, it would be for money. I could always use some...especially in today's economic situation.

I hope nothing else was stolen from you.

[Jaime_S]

I've shared my Poetry online for a few years now. I started off posting them on a couple of official sites where they are copyrighted to my name, now I just put my copyright on them...{©2008 Jan B....} (Full name in some places!).
It doesn't always make them safe from copying/stealing...but there's nothing you can do really...all I know is...I haven't found anything of mine copied/stolen yet online! lol