You write serial fiction for HubPages - why do you not want to publish it elsewh

1. 60

   Roman Trendposted 14 years ago

   You write serial fiction for HubPages - why do you not want to publish it elsewhere?
   
   I have been impressed with some of the serial fiction that I have read here. Therefore I was surprised to hear that it was not intended for publication elsewhere, and would like to understand the reasons.

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2. 0

   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   The reality is that nobody really knows what it takes to get a manuscript published. How can a writer decide they want to get a story published when they start posting the first few chapters of an online serial? It is also safer not to put your best work online. There is the risk of plagiarism. Someone could take your ideas, which are not protected by copyright. And there are quite many publishers who are not interested in material that has already been posted online.

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3. 85

   M. T. Dremerposted 14 years ago

   I haven't personally published any fiction on HubPages, but I can see the appeal. HubPages doesn't restrict what format your fiction is in. Obviously if you want to submit something for publication in a magazine, or some literary journal, you have to adhere to their guidelines, and any mistake will lead to your manuscript being thrown out, even if it's a good story. For example, if it is just a few words over the limit.
   
   If the publication requires a physical submission (not digital) it can be months before the author hears back, and with both digital and physical submissions the rejection rate is very high. A story everyone told you was great, could be rejected by every publishing company you try for. While I think that rejection is part of growing as a writer, I can understand how it can get discouraging after a while. HubPages will not reject your story and you have full control to edit it or remove it at any time.
   
   So I think, overall, its a feeling of having more control over your story and less chances of rejection that makes HubPages appealing to fiction writers.

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4. 58

   draybecposted 14 years ago

   Anyone who worries about plagiarizing online, needs only to file the right copyright for their work by registering at the copyright office. That is a sure way you can take a case of plagiarism to court. That's if, someone is foolish enough to copy that creator's work and claim it's his/her own instead. Which is not that common with self publishing individuals. Especially with indie writers and comic artists.
   
   These mediums strike more copper then gold. No offense, I'm a writer and artist too. Despite the adversity in this industry, we all have a good air of insanity to us to believe 'yes we can make it.' Publishing online, is now the best way to truly know how far you can go. As to take a chance with a traditional publisher in the twenty first century without having a known name is worse then playing the lottery.
   
   It's not true, that writers don't know what it takes to get published. Writer's digest puts out a great guide every year for a long list of publishers for what it takes for each specific publisher. That improves the odds only enough to prevent your work from being thrown out after glancing the first page. That's the medium we continue to write in. So, there's a lot to appreciate for a writer who gives it his/her all online by publishing online, copyrighting, and marketing.
   
   And there is potential profit to be made if your good at it. Different ways online to make some cash online with your fiction. It's also fair to note, traditional publishers will from time to time publish good online fiction. There's evidence of this online.
   
   Still, it's good for any creator to find someone to give them some humility. Using proofreaders and editors that will review their work without having automatic fan syndrome (friends & family). Surprisingly, many writers cannot stand criticism. A good writer however, will preservere and use most or all of that feedback to create a better product. Writers and artists can also use the feedback gained from publishing online to improve their work. So, that's a few of a long list of reasons why to publish online.
   
   If nothing else, it can create a sense of accomplishment that is lacking by having it sit on the hard drive for years.

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5. 79

   Garrett Mickleyposted 14 years ago

   That's a good question and I'm excited to see some answers from those who do just that.
   
   Personally, I post all of my fiction on my website.

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