I think it's rather improbable that anyone will steal (beyond in the peripheral way in which we all steal).
For once, most other writers are convinced that their stuff is the best ever, so see no reason to steal your "inferior" idea.
For another, the sites are password protected. And most include a long list of legal disclaimers as to what happens if someone does steal an idea.
So I won't say that it can't happen - or that it never happens. But I suspect that it happening is pretty rare. (At least on reputable sites.) There's not a huge amount of financial gain, and there's a lot of potential risk.
Plus, it's a risk you take anywhere, with any story. An agent could steal it. A publisher could. So either you keep them all hidden on your computer or figure, "I take my odds" and go for it. (And sue anyone who does steal. The penalties are crazy harsh - far more than most of us will ever make for selling a story!)
no subject
For once, most other writers are convinced that their stuff is the best ever, so see no reason to steal your "inferior" idea.
For another, the sites are password protected. And most include a long list of legal disclaimers as to what happens if someone does steal an idea.
So I won't say that it can't happen - or that it never happens. But I suspect that it happening is pretty rare. (At least on reputable sites.) There's not a huge amount of financial gain, and there's a lot of potential risk.
Plus, it's a risk you take anywhere, with any story. An agent could steal it. A publisher could. So either you keep them all hidden on your computer or figure, "I take my odds" and go for it. (And sue anyone who does steal. The penalties are crazy harsh - far more than most of us will ever make for selling a story!)