So I am having a test of my Web 2.0 faith:

I am currently writing a book that has to do with a particular type of professional development that is aimed at education administrators, a group I feel could really use some work on the old “how to conduct decent professional development” front.

I think it is unique.

I think it can be helpful.

I want to be David Warlick and self-publish a book and have enough people purchase it so that I can put my kids through college. I don’t  want to be a millionaire. I don’t want a new career. I just want to add to the conversation, and maybe, just maybe, make a few bucks doing so. At least that is my plan. I may fall flat on my face. People may laugh at the idea. I may only sell a copy to my wife. I may end up with a box full of them in my garage that I end up giving as Christmas presents for the next few years.

So here is my test of faith:

I talk a lot about collaborative work. I talk a lot about sharing. I talk a lot about using professional networks to enhance learning and your professional work. So here is a perfect example of something that I can put “out there” for my PLN to critique, add to, subtract from, tell me I am full of it, or give me a pat on the back. I want folks to work with me through the process, to share, to be part of the product. Everyone would get credit.

However...I just hesitate putting it out there because I keep thinking that it is going to be ripped-off before it is done and someone will take my idea and run with it.

If I put it out there, to share, it becomes freely sharable. I could add a Creative Commons license to it  like this:

But how much does that protect me? Doe sit really protect me from idea predators?

What do you think? Should I share? Should I put my money where my mouth is?