Writing.Com General Discussion

If you are self-publishing, then where they were published before does not matter (provided you hold the rights, which WdC does not hold). You can put them up here, get reviews, suggestions, etc., and then collate and self-publish.

Traditional publishing is where it gets tricky. I have had 5 short stories that first appeared on WdC traditionally published (1 magazine, 4 anthologies). The way it is not considered "published" is to restrict who can read the works. I either do a private entry and give it a password override, which I give out to those reviewing or who ask for it, or set it to registered authors and higher only. I have even gone preferred authors and higher only for some works. These works are not findable by search engines as they are not in the general public sphere. Of course, some publishers do have different definitions and don't even like it being here at all, but I've only encountered3 or 4 who have had that issue.

Hope that helps.