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Issy made a very good point a couple of days ago regarding a query on posting chapters and whether this infringes on what is considered an already published work. She was concerned that some of our writers at the Board might post their work and then find out a publisher doesn't want it because it might be viewed as already published. I sought some advice from Harper Collins Publishing in Australia and its advice is:

publishing/broadcasting a couple of chapters on the Net would be fine for writers who are NOT CONTRACTED to a publisher. Emerging writers may mention they've published an early extract on this Board. In other words, first drafts are fine and you can get more universal comments. After that ask a couple of the people you trust for advice if you can email them more recent drafts for their personal review. I would also recommend that you keep the work you publish at this Board down to just a couple of chapters.

The only dangers HC could foresee are: publishing an extract might compromise your eligibility to enter various literary competitions for that story, and you just never know who is reading at this Board. Many people surf and don't declare themselves. Some people might 'borrow' your ideas which is why you keep the posting brief and you don't reveal the plot perhaps until you're one on one with trusted draft readers.

Hope this helps. F

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Áctually thought I had responded with a big THANK YOU to this one Fiona.

Having the word from a publisher on this subject is excellent.

Fang, Cue, Fang, Cue, Fang, Cue!

Tfa (Terame)

"These are endless galaxies which are yours. You can travel to infinity though the endless passages of the cosmos. Even better this belongs to you. This is your mind."
Joe Hunt

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I realize that this is a rather old topic, but I just saw it today. It's good to have an official word, indeed. On another board I visit, this very problem is the reason why there are restricted parts in it, which only certain members can view. I don't know if it's possible to do that here, but it's one solution to the 'being published' and 'steals ideas' problems. :rad

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Hi there This was covered in another thread, the long and short of it was that while having a protected area is a good step, it was agreed that more author control over who could view their stories was needed. So the Fiona's Scribes site was created.[a=http://www.fantasyscifi.com/scribes/]Click Here[/a] It allows writers and readers to chat and get to know one another, and thus allowing the writers to securely give access to people they feel comfortable with. Here is the url text. [a=http://www.fantasyscifi.com/scribes/]www.fantasyscifi.com/scribes/[/a] :y