The Undiscovered Country

FYI

It seems there is always a concern with uploading our writing onto websites like this one whether or not we're sabotaging our ability to submit said works for publication. A member asked this very question in the "Technical Support Forum" . I answered which then spurred an email conversation.

The user pointed out the item: "Invalid Item"   [] by A Guest Visitor .

For those who add items here to be critiqued and then published, this is a frightening article - until you read the entire thing.

It basically states some publishers, be they books or magazines, consider what we add here as previously published, but they're few and far between.

Still, I wanted answers from more people "in the know."

I emailed Randy Ingermanson

see http:www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog

asking if posting work on sites such as writing.com, faithwriters.com and fanstory.com are considered previously published works.

Here's how he responded:

I don't know absolutely for sure, but the word I've heard is that stuff posted like that would be considered previously published, unless it is on a critique board and is a small chunk of the story. But a story posted on a fan-fiction site is generally considered published.

I also left a post in another writing forum (http://www.christianwritersforum.com/), and the administrator had the following email conversation with Dr. Dennis Hensley:

Hi Doctor Hensley;

I hope you remember us over at the Christian Writers Forum. We certainly enjoyed your chat with us several months ago.

I received the question from one of our members and I am at a loss as to how to answer her. My understanding is that if the rights are not sold then the work is not considered previously published but I am not sure enough to answer her question with any level of authority.

I know how busy you are so if you can just give a quick answer to this > >email that would also be great. We appreciate your help and all you do to inspire us.


Dennis Hensley wrote:

As with any publication, online or in hard copy print, it is important to >verify from the publication's Guidelines for Writers what the rights are that are being purchased. Once that is established, you'll know if you can market the piece again or not. If just "first rights" are offered, then the piece will revert to the writer after publication and can be sold again, but if "all rights" are sold, then the publication owns it. I always charage TWO fees if a magazine wants to print my article in hard copy and then also run it on the web. I consider this two different media, so I expect two payments.
Doc


Gretchen Ricker wrote:

So, posting novels or articles on the Forum or on Writing.com or Faithwriters.com for review by other writers does not constitute being published and does not preclude the work being sold to publishing houses that require first rights, is that correct?

g


Doctor Hensley wrote:

That's the way I see it.

Doc

I conclude then, our works posted here are 'safe' as far as not being considered pre-published. It could be argued blog entries are an exception, because entries are rarely if ever critiqued. Still, I'm not worried about anything I write here as previously published, because whatever I decide worthy of publication would be so re-vamped as to be entirely different from the original. I would also either remove that entry or make it private, because like I said before, I'd rather make money on what I write than give it away for free.

It may be selfish, but that's the way the world works sometimes. I also believe in quid pro quo. I don't expect any of you to give me for free your published works; I expect you to receive payment for your published works just as I do. I also think it's important to support our fellow writers, so I will buy what you've published without hesitation.

Lecture over.

Have a great Saturday!