Handley Part V & Chapters 57–62: Publishing Rules for Online Writers

[Audio] Handley Part V & Chapters 57–62: Publishing Rules for Online Writers By: Ronte Britton CM_323_ON1.

[Audio] Why these chapters matter These chapters explain the ground rules of publishing in a “we’re all publishers now” world. They focus on ethics, permission, attribution, and making issues we face every time we hit “publish” Strong publishing habits protect your reputation and build reader trust..

[Audio] Big idea #1: “We’re all publishers now” Digital tools removed old gatekeepers, but not the responsibilities of publishing. Handley argues that when we dropped some old school publishing formality, we also dropped important principles and ethics.​ Online writers need clear rules about what’s okay to copy, share, and remix..

[Audio] Big idea #2: Permission, copyright, and fair use Copyright protects most creative work the moment it’s created (posts, images, newsletters, videos).​ “Fair use” is narrow: small excerpts, transformed with commentary, and not harming the original creator’s market.​ Handley’s practical rule: when in doubt, ask—seek the original author’s permission and honor their terms.​.

[Audio] Big idea #3: Always attribute as you write Fact‑check names, quotes, and numbers; keep track of where you found each idea. Cite sources in the text (not just in your head): name the creator, link to the original, and make the source visible. Build the habit of “cite while drafting” so you don’t forget to give credit later.​.

[Audio] Big idea #4: Curate, don’t plagiarize Curation = selecting good sources, adding your point of view, and crediting clearly.​ Plagiarism = lifting ideas, words, or structure without clear credit or transformation.​ Good curation diversifies sources, discloses conflicts, and uses trustworthy data and experts..

[Audio] Example: A “bad” vs “better” Substack move “Bad”: Screenshot a long tweet thread and paste it into your newsletter with almost no commentary or credit. “Better”: Pull a short quote, name the creator, link to the thread, and add your own analysis for your specific audience.​ Question for class: Where is the line between inspiration and copying in your own writing?.

[Audio] How this improves our Substack writing Clear rules help you avoid legal trouble and accusations of stealing. Ethical, well‑sourced posts feel more trustworthy and professional to readers. Consistent attribution and thoughtful curation can become part of your recognizable voice..

[Audio] Discussion questions for the class Which of Handley’s publishing rules do you currently follow, and which do you ignore? Why?​ Have you ever used an image, quote, or screenshot you weren’t sure you had the right to use? What would you do differently now? What’s one specific change you can make this week to how you quote, link, or curate in your Substack?.

[Audio] Quick recap We’re all publishers now → responsibilities didn’t go away. Ask permission when in doubt, and always attribute as you write. Curate thoughtfully instead of copying—and use these rules to strengthen your Substack voice..

[Audio] Question 1 Question 1 When Ann Handley says that we’re “all publishers now,” what is her main concern? A. People are focusing too much on print media. B. Writers are ignoring the ethical and practical rules of publishing. C. There is not enough content being created for audiences. D. Social media has replaced the need for editing. Correct answer: B Because she argues that as we dropped old‑school publishing formality, we lost important principles and ethics..

[Audio] Question 2 Which action best reflects Handley’s advice to “seek permission” when using someone else’s work? A. Copying an image from Google because it appears on many websites. B. Quoting a full article and listing the URL at the very end. C. Emailing the original creator to ask how you may use their image, getting written permission, and following their conditions. D. Using any content as long as your newsletter is free and non‑commercial. Correct answer: C She recommends contacting the original author, getting permission in writing, and honoring the agreed terms.​.

[Audio] Question 3 According to Handley’s publishing rules, what is the most important reason to attribute your sources as you write (rather than later)? A. It makes your writing longer, which looks more substantial. B. It makes it easier for search engines to find your work. C. You are less likely to forget where ideas came from and accidentally fail to give proper credit. D. It allows you to avoid using any direct quotes. Correct answer: C She stresses citing sources during drafting so you don’t lose track and skip attribution..

[Audio] Question 4 Which newsletter behavior best fits Handley’s idea of ethical curation instead of plagiarism? A. Reposting an entire blog article in your newsletter, with no comments added. B. Summarizing an article in your own words, linking to it, naming the author, and adding your opinion. C. Changing a few words in someone’s paragraph and posting it as your own. D. Embedding someone’s tweet thread without naming the account. Correct answer: B Ethical curation includes transforming ideas, adding your perspective, diversifying sources, and clearly crediting the original author..

[Audio] Question 5 Handley says checking facts and using trustworthy sources is a key publishing rule. Which example follows that rule best? A. Relying on a single anonymous blog for statistics. B. Using viral numbers from a meme without verification. C. Confirming data in multiple reliable sources and naming those sources in your piece. D. Skipping numbers entirely to avoid being wrong. Correct answer: C She urges writers to verify facts, find credible experts, and ground content in reliable data with clear citations..