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The Official Author's Hangout 2014 Earth Day Contest Support Thread

There are ways of knowing such things without doing statistical analysis. If you post a story a week, there are practices and patterns that pop out at you. Not every reality is based on statistical analysis. When you see something happen twice you are no longer in "it doesn't happen" territory.
 
Mara12 said:
I am curious what your "policy" is regarding folks who favor you and/your stories - do you respond to thank them or not? Did you do it at first but no longer (now that some of you have lots of such "hits") ? As a newbie, being "favored" is a very nice compliment (and infrequent), and I feel like I should respond in some way, but maybe some would consider spamming. Just wonderin'...
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My policy is to respond to those who directly indicate they'd like response (as long as it isn't trying to pick a fight--and I've have precious few of that kind of comment). I don't assume someone favoriting me as an author or one of my stories or even commenting favorably on one of my stories as wanting a thank you or other response to me. I put this in the "they possibly will think I'm sucking up to them for more good responses, regardless of the story" bin--which, I think, cheapens their original effort to comment. I have thanked, though, readers who have followed a lot of my stories and given glowing (or particularly introspective) comments on them. I try to make this a simple "thank you for the encouragement," though, not a plea to continue doing it.

I will note that readers who want to pursue the underpinnings of a story with me will get some possibly interesting background on the story and the inspiration for it. There is, in fact, background and inspiration to provide on most of the stories I write.
 
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I think it's probably easier for newer authors with lesser followings or comments to thank people. For those with large followings it gets impractical. I don't think of it as fishing for more compliments. Its nice to get that additional input from someone.
 
Seanathon said:
I loved the twist at the end of your story, and it seemed to me that Josh didn't have any reason to be complaining. And your 'twist' ending felt far more believable than some other first time stories I've read. My guess is that most people lost their virginity to a more experienced partner. I know I did.
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Yeah. I didn't. Doopey and I were fumbling in the dark. :D
 
On the note of strategies someone whipped out the infamous "quotation marks" to start a title.

In addition to it the title isn't really a title its just three big time key words.

Clever.
 
The weird thing is, Lit is selective as to who is allowed to use the quotations in a title.

I submitted a story years ago titled "Are you sure about this?" and the quotes were taken out when it was approved.
 
HeyAll said:
The weird thing is, Lit is selective as to who is allowed to use the quotations in a title.

I submitted a story years ago titled "Are you sure about this?" and the quotes were taken out when it was approved.
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Favoritism and inconsistency on lit? No!!!!:rolleyes:
 
Speaking of strategy, it's been mentioned that big holidays such as Christmas & New Years are horrible for new releases- which makes sense.

But what about lesser holidays such as Memorial Day weekends? Do you guys think those are great weekends (Friday-through-Monday) because a lot of people will be staying home?
 
HeyAll said:
Speaking of strategy, it's been mentioned that big holidays such as Christmas & New Years are horrible for new releases- which makes sense.

But what about lesser holidays such as Memorial Day weekends? Do you guys think those are great weekends (Friday-through-Monday) because a lot of people will be staying home?
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I've always been pressed by publishers to have a Christmas release. Not any other holidays, though.
 
HeyAll said:
The weird thing is, Lit is selective as to who is allowed to use the quotations in a title.

I submitted a story years ago titled "Are you sure about this?" and the quotes were taken out when it was approved.
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Probably because it doesn't really convey anything to have the quotes.
 
HeyAll said:
Speaking of strategy, it's been mentioned that big holidays such as Christmas & New Years are horrible for new releases- which makes sense.

But what about lesser holidays such as Memorial Day weekends? Do you guys think those are great weekends (Friday-through-Monday) because a lot of people will be staying home?
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holiday weekends no, everyone is traveling. Valentine's is one though that I think does well. Christmas too because most people get some time off and have the time to read.
 
lovecraft68 said:
On the note of strategies someone whipped out the infamous "quotation marks" to start a title.

In addition to it the title isn't really a title its just three big time key words.

Clever.
Click to expand...

Using quotation marks in a title seems strange, but how is it strategically infamous? Does it move the story to the top of the list alphabetically?
 
Seanathon said:
Using quotation marks in a title seems strange, but how is it strategically infamous? Does it move the story to the top of the list alphabetically?
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Yes because it will show up before the letter A.

Someone who's name we won't mention made that move sort of infamous a few years ago.

There's no reason for it in a title other than to try to keep it at the top of the lists. I wouldn't describe it as cheating, more like manipulating the system.

I was less put off by the quotation marks than I was the fact the titles isn't really a title just key words, an all out effort for visibility.
 
Seanathon said:
Using quotation marks in a title seems strange, but how is it strategically infamous? Does it move the story to the top of the list alphabetically?
Click to expand...

Yes it would, if permitted. To my knowledge, publishing doesn't use them to surround complete titles--which would be the reason I suggested they were meaningless. I guess they might if part of the title wasn't in the quote (e.g., "Murder," She Screamed), but I don't think I've seen them used in this instance either.
 
I also noticed there were 70 entries for the Valentine's Day contest and only 20 so far for this one. I wonder if there will be a rush of stories in the next 10 days or if writers have lost interest in the Earth Day contest (there were 61 entries for ED last year).
 
Seanathon said:
I also noticed there were 70 entries for the Valentine's Day contest and only 20 so far for this one. I wonder if there will be a rush of stories in the next 10 days or if writers have lost interest in the Earth Day contest (there were 61 entries for ED last year).
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Earth Day is usually the least entered. Its been discussed to have it replaced. In fact last year Laurel even started a thread taking suggestions, but....whatever.

I'm sure there will be a rush in the second week. I tend to think that is strategy more than "not having time" as there is plenty of notice for the contests.

I am sure there will be at least one 11:59 entry on the last day.
 
Seanathon said:
...Just curious if any other writers here have received negative feedback for trying to mix political themes (i.e. environmentalism) with erotica in their stories?
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I posted one in 2009, "The Browning of America", a sexed-up political satire that got 20 public comments, 8 from happy readers, 12 from anonymous haters. Loving Wives can be a tough crowd, with, apparently, a distinctly conservative mindset.

My dilemma this year: do a final rewrite on a non-political Earth Day story, or get my taxes done?
 
PornHub confirmed that less people watch porn during holidays. I'm going to move some of my stories which were going to be released during Memorial Day in May.

http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2...+11+2013&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Furthermore, viewing dropped by 29 percent in the U.S. on Thanksgiving, but Americans made up for the following day, proving that the only thing more important than getting a new laptop for the low is rewarding yourself by watching porn on it.

New Year's Eve represented the largest worldwide decline, presumably because people jump the gun and make resolutions to masturbate less in the new year.

Traffic also dropped during Super Bowl XLVI and the 2012 NBA Finals because, well, priorities
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Real-time watching of videos and buying storable e-books are two entirely different animals, so I don't see the relevance of your post to buying e-books, HeyAll. December has been the biggest sales months for my erotica e-books for the several years they've published. (Of course, if others want to see watching porn as the same thing as buying storable e-books and avoid publishing in December, that's just fine with me.)
 
humble pie

I really hate to admit this, but contest stories do get a lot more views and votes than normal submissions. I know you guys have been saying this as long as I've been visiting AH (and probably before too), but I never quite believed it. Not even after my VD story because in my mind that just happened to be this fluke romance story that captured the attention of readers. :)
But now I have this run-of-the-mill contest story, that certainly isn't as good as most of my normal stories (and nowhere near Personal Cards). Which is most fairly reflected in the score too. Yet in the week since ED started, it's still managed to get 110 votes and almost 20,000 views. That's far more votes than any of my non-contest stories except one, and more views than any of my other GM stories except one.
And this is the surprising part: this story has a lot more views than my VD story. I'm wondering why? Is it because there are fewer stories in ED, so readers looking at the contest just reads everything?

On the other hand I'm not seeing that much of an increase in attention to my other stories, as some writers do. But then again it may be because I did warn people reding PPC ch 2 that I don't do romances (GM or otherwise).

But I guess I'll just keep eating humble pie and enter contests, because you're so right about benefits (including the odd troll or two ;) )
 
TimothyM said:
I really hate to admit this, but contest stories do get a lot more views and votes than normal submissions. I know you guys have been saying this as long as I've been visiting AH (and probably before too), but I never quite believed it. Not even after my VD story because in my mind that just happened to be this fluke romance story that captured the attention of readers. :)
But now I have this run-of-the-mill contest story, that certainly isn't as good as most of my normal stories (and nowhere near Personal Cards). Which is most fairly reflected in the score too. Yet in the week since ED started, it's still managed to get 110 votes and almost 20,000 views. That's far more votes than any of my non-contest stories except one, and more views than any of my other GM stories except one.
And this is the surprising part: this story has a lot more views than my VD story. I'm wondering why? Is it because there are fewer stories in ED, so readers looking at the contest just reads everything?

On the other hand I'm not seeing that much of an increase in attention to my other stories, as some writers do. But then again it may be because I did warn people reding PPC ch 2 that I don't do romances (GM or otherwise).

But I guess I'll just keep eating humble pie and enter contests, because you're so right about benefits (including the odd troll or two ;) )
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Let me be the first to say I told you so. (Even though I may not have. I certainly meant to. ;))
 
TimothyM said:
I really hate to admit this, but contest stories do get a lot more views and votes than normal submissions. I know you guys have been saying this as long as I've been visiting AH (and probably before too), but I never quite believed it. Not even after my VD story because in my mind that just happened to be this fluke romance story that captured the attention of readers. :)
But now I have this run-of-the-mill contest story, that certainly isn't as good as most of my normal stories (and nowhere near Personal Cards). Which is most fairly reflected in the score too. Yet in the week since ED started, it's still managed to get 110 votes and almost 20,000 views. That's far more votes than any of my non-contest stories except one, and more views than any of my other GM stories except one.
And this is the surprising part: this story has a lot more views than my VD story. I'm wondering why? Is it because there are fewer stories in ED, so readers looking at the contest just reads everything?

On the other hand I'm not seeing that much of an increase in attention to my other stories, as some writers do. But then again it may be because I did warn people reding PPC ch 2 that I don't do romances (GM or otherwise).

But I guess I'll just keep eating humble pie and enter contests, because you're so right about benefits (including the odd troll or two ;) )
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Good to hear your story is getting good numbers.

As for attention on other stories that can be good or bad depending on the rest of your stories.

When I did a romance a couple of years ago people were like "I'm heading off to read your other stuff"

I can just imagine the reaction if they went from that story to SWB or Breaking of Allison:eek:

Got a lot of fav/unfav on that one.
 
lovecraft68 said:
When I did a romance a couple of years ago people were like "I'm heading off to read your other stuff"
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You got a comment like that on this contest story too. Almost had me spewing my tea all over the keyboard LOL

patientlee said:
Let me be the first to say I told you so. (Even though I may not have. I certainly meant to. ;))
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Glad I could brighten your day with an opportunity to say 'told you so', Lee :)
 
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