Would posting my writing online for public criticism diminish its chances of bei

Question:

Would posting my writing online for public criticism diminish its chances of being published?

I have a short story idea I've been kicking around in my head for a while, and I'm preparing to actually write it. My question is: Would posting a draft of the story on an Internet forum I frequent for the purposes of obtaining criticism from a wide range of readers (as opposed to just friends and family) hurt my chances of getting it published in a printed form? I'm concerned that by offering it for free on a public forum, I might cause the piece to not be as desirable to a publisher.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There's always a debate about this and some editors don't care and other do. To be on the safe side, you should explain the circumstances in your cover letter and let the editor decide.