Is Downloading the same as Publishing?

Bsharper · May 14, 2011

I have an extremely timely short story (based on an event that is scheduled in the very near future) that I've submitted to several online and print magazines and contests. In my cover letter, I mentioned that I was simultaneously submitting the story to other publishers. Each publication requests that writers notify them if the work is accepted elsewhere.

I would like my friends and contacts to read my story while the event is taking place, but have not sold it, yet. I was thinking about offering it as a download from my web site. Would that be considered 'publishing' and void my submission to others?

Maryn · May 14, 2011

I'm no expert, but making a story available online, whether read at a website or available for download, seems like it meets the qualifications for publication.

Maryn, keeping you company waiting for the experts

Jamesaritchie · May 14, 2011

Yes, that's publishing, which means you will lose first rights. It does not automatically mean no magazine will take the story.

MJNL · May 14, 2011

Public access= published. That's why the share your work forum is password protected. If you can do something similar on your site, where access to the download is password protected, that would solve the problem (of course, you can't then make the password public, that would defeat the purpose). Why not just e-mail it to the people you'd like to have read it? That wouldn't create any kind of publication conflict.

And I think it's really important to protect your first rights. Lots of publications aren't interested in reprints, and even if they are they pay far less for them than new stories.

Jamesaritchie · May 14, 2011

And if it's just friends and contacts you want to read the story, then attach it to an e-mail and send it to them.

pattyjansen · May 24, 2011

Bsharp said:
I have an extremely timely short story (based on an event that is scheduled in the very near future) that I've submitted to several online and print magazines and contests. In my cover letter, I mentioned that I was simultaneously submitting the story to other publishers. Each publication requests that writers notify them if the work is accepted elsewhere.

I would like my friends and contacts to read my story while the event is taking place, but have not sold it, yet. I was thinking about offering it as a download from my web site. Would that be considered 'publishing' and void my submission to others?

Yes. Don't, if you intend to sell the story's first publication rights

Is Downloading the same as Publishing?

Bsharper

Maryn

Not Any More

Jamesaritchie

MJNL

A Little Lost

Jamesaritchie

pattyjansen