Question about online stories to novels

[Jack_Roberts]

I realize this is not the place for this question, but I searched all over the site and couldn’t find a spot.
I’ll ask it here and if it needs to be, maybe someone can move the thread to where it’s supposed to go.
Here’s my problem.
I cut my writing teeth at my other favorite website. I wrote a lot of small stories for the site and created tons of characters.
When I was basically hit over the head with my muse, the lead character in my novel, the first thing I did was try writing her and her brother on that website.
I did all sorts of short stories with her there. Only one of those stories was heavily modified and placed into the novel. The rest just sit on the site’s archives.
The site manager is going to try and delete them for me, but for the moment they are still there.
I really want to take these characters into the professional realm. It’s the story that won’t let go of me. The one that has a partial arriving at an agent’s office.
I’d rather destroy those online stories (even though 99% are not in the novel) then allow them to destroy my chance to get this published.
What can I do? What are my rights?
Please help.

[blackbird]

The only one you need be concerned about is the one actually in the novel. As for the others, these are your characters and you can do what you want with them. As long as it's not the same, identifiable story as the novel, there should be no problem.

[emeraldcite]

I’d rather destroy those online stories (even though 99% are not in the novel) then allow them to destroy my chance to get this published.

You can't erase publishing history. But it doesn't matter if you leave them up or take them down unless they are in your novel.

As blackbird said, the only one you need to be concerned about is the one integrated into your story. If you own the rights, no biggie. Usually a little "blank" story originally appeared on the site blank in 2006 does the trick.

Flip through the books on your shelf. I'm sure you'll run across a few with chapters that appeared as stories in magazines, etc.

Unless you are embarassed by your previous stories or you think that they would have a negative impact on your novel's chances, don't stress over it.

[Jack_Roberts]

Blackbird, thanks!

That's a relief! They are little short things that stand alone and have no connection to the novel.

emeraldcite, thanks to you, too!

It's a shame I can't erase it completely. I suppose it exists out there somewhere.

My friend Jason (who operates the site) is going to delete them from that site for me. I'm making sure the one that is similar to the novel version is the first to go.

Thanks guys for calming my nerves!

Hey emeraldcite,

What is Pale Immortal about? What kinds of vampires? I might just do your suggestion and pick it up!