Hi all, just a warning about sharing work. I am in a writers group at my local library, and as my novel is in the final stages of "our" editing, before letting an editor near it, I let anyone in the group who wanted to, take a look through dropbox. The week before last the young woman who runs our group, pushed a self published book over the desk for me to look at. later she said I think you need to take a look at the story. Then said I don't think she has done it deliberately. She was being kind. My story had been woven into a quite sexualy explicit story which she had told us someone had told her to make it less explicit. Not only making it less explicit she has woven into it a large part of my plot which is so clear that when I spoke with the young woman who passed me the book to read said, I know I'm sorry she has stolen your work. So people, don't trust anyone with your work, I have no idea what to do. Regards Paul.
That's a timely warning as I'm about to cast around for beta readers, not having anyone in particular to ask. I thought I might email a copy of my work to myself so that I have proof with date, but have no idea if that would stand up if something like your problem happened? You must be so angry.