I think everyone should realize one small point -- legally, placing a written document online in any form is considered to be a feat of publication. In other words, Fel already is a published author, just not a 'mainstream author,' which is what 'dead tree' publishers would prefer us to regard as the ultimate goal of any writer.kal wrote: if fel wanted to be published anyway lol!
Speaking as someone who was first 'published' in magazine format in the early 1960s it is much more fun (and a lot easier) to be 'published' online. Posting a story online actually brings you closer to your readers and feedback is actually considered to be part of your 'paycheck' -- it doesn't put groceries on the table, but it sure does feel good to post something and have feedback inside of hours instead of months (or even years).
Now I can't really compare myself to Fel, because I write in an older style and a different genre than he does, but I can tell you that if he were to try for 'publication,' his work would be considered relatively easy to market because he writes in a style that has become extremely popular. Hollywood and television have brought both 'D&D' and 'Fuzzy' characterizations into the limelight and made them extremely popular to a vast audience. However, there are various hoops to jump through to be 'published' and 'recognized' by the 'dictators' of the 'publishing empire' and woe to the writer who steps on the wrong set of toes. Copyright lawyers are not known to be sympathetic.