ouipa

OK, I don't know how all this works, so I'm looking for advice.

I came here because I wanted to get my work critiqued. Of course, it's tough to receive a critique on some aspects of a novel until enough is posted where the characters start getting fleshed out. I really want people to see my work and tell me how they like it.

However, I've received word from some people, including a published author, that I've got talent and could get published. It's something I'd always wanted, and if my novel turns out as good as I hope it will, I'd explore that option.

But how much can I actually put on this forum and expect to get it published later? Or can I just delete it later if I decide to get it published? I don't want to get stuck in one option. What should I do?

Randomthought31

You're not able to publish something if you've posted it online? Well, that really stinks, because all the stories I write I write online but if it were possible I'd like to get them published as well.

Non Serviam

Depends what you do.

If you post your material in a password-protected electronic critique group site, then it isn't published, because it isn't available for the general public to read. So you can do that and preserve your first publishing rights for later resale.

If you post the complete text for anyone to read and download, then some publishers will consider that you've "published" the work and they won't buy first publishing rights (although they may buy other rights). Even if you delete it later this could still apply, and your work may still appear on google or archive pages even after you've deleted it from here.

That's why there's a Writers' Workshop forum on this site. It's only visible to members and won't appear on google--so it's effectively a private critique group that you can use for work you think there's a possibility you might eventually publish.

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Non Serviam

Oh--yeah, I should say that I don't want to raise any false expectations. Unless you're a genius of some kind, the first million words or so that you write won't be publishable quality. Look on them as practice.

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Thoughtcrime does not entail death. Thoughtcrime IS death.

ouipa

So I'd be safe if I put it in Writer's Workshop?

And don't get me wrong. I'm not saying everything I write is perfect and marketable from the get-go, but when I get good feedback, it definitely gives me the motivation to hone and perfect what I write, taking into account the critiques I get. Shouldn't it be that way for everyone? And I have been writing fiction off and on since I was eight, though all of it was basically garbage until very recently.

Randomthought31

I actually wrote a decent story, at least 50 pages long, when I was about 8. All I know is I was in fourth grade and that's when I decided I wanted to be a writer. Unfortunately, up until recently, I've never been serious enough about it.