I received my new copy of CCC in the mail the other day (Sept 2006). Checking out the “Guidelines for Writers,” I was a little surprised to read, “Authors must obtain written permission to use unpublished work — memos, student writing, Internet postings, and the like — before quoting it in manuscripts” (127).
I have not qualm with obtaining permission to quote memos from colleagues or others, or my student writing. These works are, though arguably “published,” at least expected to be private, and certain ethical standards make it obvious that to publish them without permission would be a breach in confidentiality. However, to call Internet postings unpublished is to take away the power of the use of the Internet as a place where writing (and other modes of communication) is instantly publishable and the author knows this.
If I didn’t want something of mine re-published somewhere else (meaning a quote), I wouldn’t publish it online. Just like if I didn’t want someone to quote me in their work, I wouldn’t publish a book. The standards of what is published and what is not published is arbitrary.
Dear Reader: Consider this your written permission to quote me in anything.
