[development] D7 additional content type settings [was: D7 node flow]

Still unclear on this...not for lack of searching. If I add a field to node_type_form with hook_form_alter, how do I access that field's contents when NOT on the content type page? For example, if as a result of hook_form_alter my content type form shows the following: Default options Published Promoted to front page Sticky at top of lists Create new revision My option The setting for My options shows up every time I edit the content type, but how do I access it when content is being created for that content type?