Workshop Vs Published

Well from what I’ve learned in the fifteen years I’ve been writing and submitting, ownership to my own work means just that. And having access to what’s rightfully mine has never been taken away from me by any online E-zine that publishes articles, article directories, article showcase websites, or workshop sites such as this.

When there is a rating system in place, the purpose behind this rating system should be based on the importance of editing and improving one’s work, or to simply remove or replace a selected article. One cannot learn or benefit from the site’s service if one cannot revise their own work.

At Helium however, a poorly written article only hinders a writer’s exposure but mainly the writer’s chances to actually be paid for their work. This useless point system that assigns negative points for poor work only defeats the purpose and contradicts any positive points accumulated from the writer’s exceptional work. If Helium actually paid upfront for the non-exclusive right to exclusively edit and literally own a writer’s work that would be different.

But this site is set up like a workshop and forum site whereby writers submit their work and review others work. There is not one site out there set up in this manner with a rating system that counts backwards. Of course it’s feasible when the pennies owing to each writer begin to add up. Then by all means this negative point system does the site justice in saving them additional expenses in paying their writers. It’s far more advantageous to them to fork out the $5 as oppose to the $15.

Bad Reviews

There are just too many bad reviews about the integrity of this site inclusive with past members claiming to never have reached the mere $25 needed to cash in on their pot of gold. Furthermore, it’s not the quality of work that benefits the site, it’s the quantity. They earn their revenue on quantity which explains the terrible rating system. They are not concerned with skill. Just toss over all the content you wish, the more the merrier.

Helium is in actual fact a user generated article database with a workshop and rating environment. Work submitted here is not considered published work.

So What Defines Ownership in a Workshop Rating Environment?

The writer’s right to submit, edit, re-submit or delete their own work. After all it’s their work is it not? The right to do justice unto themselves in keeping the excellent ratings and points they’ve worked hard for. And the right to submit their own work to real publishers.

Lastly, the right to the work they own until it is deemed published.