You brought a smile to my face. I remember the first time an editor explained this process to me.

First I add you as a writer. Then you click the dropdown box.

If your story has NOT been published, when you click the “Submit” button it will appear in the list of stories for my publication. I click publish and it appears in the publication on the date I approved.

If your story has already been published, I can still accept it but it will appear on the date you originally published it. Medium does not allow the date to be changed.

I accept both published and unpublished atories. Most writers know the dates of published article can not be changed but they submit them anyway. I suppose because they want their content exposed to new readers.

Whatever the reason they submit, I accept both drafts and published stories.

I have added you as a writer. Looking forward to your submissions.