The 2015 Literotica Awards Discussion Thread

sr71plt said:

You sound clueless about what the issues are here, but I like your idea of stopping this type of lamebrain contest, so I'll give you a big . The contest is bogus and brings forth all of the fakeness in how the site users view reality and in the world that is the Internet, so, yes, driving a spike in its heart is the best remedy I see. The results are meaningless in terms of anything to do with comparative writing achievement/ability and insult the intelligence of writers. Just another "let's game the system" Internet game. And, guess, what, I think that is the grown-up response to this sort of program.

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They already ended. They went MIA for the last 4/5 years and no winners were ever announced for the final one, Biz as usual for how things go here.

Only one person knows why they were buried and why they chose to bring it back. I would think with all the drama last year about the proven voting block that exists here, this contest would be the last thing to restart, then again I think admin enjoys this GB style drama.

Anyway, it was nice to be nominated, but anything from there is a crap shoot that I agree means little. As always there will be a few who will do anything they can to take it home so they can claim award winning status on their social media.

And no-to anyone getting defensive-I am not speaking of the NH/sci fi peeps, but the 'cabal'

Chapter Whore

I want to congratulate everyone who was nominated. I found out about my nomination through an enthusiastic fan who posted to my FaceBook page.

I am surprised and honoured to be nominated by the people who like what I write and I guess like many I was doubly surprised when one of my nominations came in the form of a chapter.

The fan who told me about it said that the whole series couldn't be nominated so she had to choose a chapter. I guess for those who have single complete stories nominated it would be like your fans having to vote for a scene in said story.

I am not here to argue any points so no need to rebut what I have said here as it was only one person's opinion that might help the other chapter writers feel less crappy about what everyone is saying here.

Good luck to everyone nominated, you each have my utmost respect for the time and effort you put into creating something people love to read.

You're welcome. It even debuted on my birthday. Who says I'm not a giver?

By Demon's Driven (4.87) A story of sex, sin and salvation. Hot Contest Winner Novels and Novellas 04/10/14

Too bad it made more on the contest win than as an e-book

My mind goes back to Ann1971's (all of her second post to Lit.) "requires no justification" post. I'm sure why I said her post sounded "young" was because it comes right out of the "American Idol" form of contest--for a singing contest, vote the girl from your hometown, the guy with the dimples, and vote as many times as you can punch a telephone number into your smart phone in the time limit given. That's a "requires no justification" contest. That's a contest that insults the intelligence of everyone involved when some high purpose title like "Most influential writer" is put to it. Why not just be honest and call it "Favorite Author" or "Best Buddy on My Social Network"? In terms of a writer's site, the current title with the "American Idol" approach and mind-set is just intellectually dishonest and insulting and brings out the worst in voters (as well, quite possibly, voters with no real connection to Literotica, writing, or the category they are voting on).

It's amusing to point out, I think, that, as an example, Ann1971 has only been a member for a week and a half, wasn't here to be influenced by anyone at Literotica in 2015 for any reason, and certainly wasn't moved by any author here enough to have favorited him/her--or anyone.

sr71plt said:

My mind goes back to Ann1971's (all of her second post to Lit.) "requires no justification" post. I'm sure why I said her post sounded "young" was because it comes right out of the "American Idol" form of contest--for a singing contest, vote the girl from your hometown, the guy with the dimples, and vote as many times as you can punch a telephone number into your smart phone in the time limit given. That's a "requires no justification" contest. That's a contest that insults the intelligence of everyone involved when some high purpose title like "Most influential writer" is put to it. Why not just be honest and call it "Favorite Author" or "Best Buddy on My Social Network"? In terms of a writer's site, the current title with the "American Idol" approach and mind-set is just intellectually dishonest and insulting and brings out the worst in voters (as well, quite possibly, voters with no real connection to Literotica, writing, or the category they are voting on).

It's amusing to point out, I think, that, as an example, Ann1971 has only been a member for a week and a half, wasn't here to be influenced by anyone at Literotica in 2015 for any reason, and certainly wasn't moved by any author here enough to have favorited him/her--or anyone.

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Then again, as Laurel said somewhere back along the line, the idea is to get more people to register on the site. With all the low number of post people showing up here and the nomination threads, it is either working or the alts are crawling out of the woodwork. Anybodies guess for the most part.

TxRad said:

Then again, as Laurel said somewhere back along the line, the idea is to get more people to register on the site. With all the low number of post people showing up here and the nomination threads, it is either working or the alts are crawling out of the woodwork. Anybodies guess for the most part.

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Yeah, well, in instituting or not instituting (or cleaning up or not cleaning up) programs to the advantage/disadvantage of Literotica, it's fairly well known that I don't think the Web site is batting 500. The lifeblood of the site, the story file, is already here and cooks along even without much tweaking. Stuff like these half-baked contests--with this one having been abruptly abandoned mid stream without notice a couple of years ago--is just gravy or mud (depending on individual perspectives) on top of that.

For starters, if the Web site really wanted to have new folks signing up, it wouldn't be disadvantaging the "able to be read in one setting" short story form as it is doing.

I'm not going to bother digging up the history to back up how nominees who meet and exceed all the criteria discussed here were shamed out of participation over and over again. It's not worth the keystrokes anymore.

There's a difference between saying chapter stories shouldn't be considered ( TXRad ) and smearing/shaming the nominees.

More the nomination process. But most involved don't seem to be capable of shame--they seem to think that the sham of it has some real meaning.

Some others are comfortable having their heads in the sand.

And on the "meet and exceed" the criteria, that was the basis of my starting to comment. I've seen no evidence of meeting/exceeding anything connected with the category title. Let's roll it out rather than claiming it's there somewhere on most of this list as opposed to many who aren't on the list. Put up or . . . you know . . . Just being part of the sham, aren't you?

Who did they influence in 2015 to do what and how does that make them the "most" for 2015? Seem simple enough questions, and obvious ones in connection with the category. Why should anyone be embarrassed to ask those questions and expect to see answers? I wouldn't expect the nominees to answer or to have to defend being nominated--this falls to those who nominated them, to those voting for them (on what basis are they affirming that choice?--which gives other voters evidence to work on in making their choices), and to whoever established the final list if there were more nominees than there are on the final list.

sr71plt said:

My mind goes back to Ann1971's (all of her second post to Lit.) "requires no justification" post. I'm sure why I said her post sounded "young" was because it comes right out of the "American Idol" form of contest--for a singing contest, vote the girl from your hometown, the guy with the dimples, and vote as many times as you can punch a telephone number into your smart phone in the time limit given. That's a "requires no justification" contest. That's a contest that insults the intelligence of everyone involved when some high purpose title like "Most influential writer" is put to it. Why not just be honest and call it "Favorite Author" or "Best Buddy on My Social Network"? In terms of a writer's site, the current title with the "American Idol" approach and mind-set is just intellectually dishonest and insulting and brings out the worst in voters (as well, quite possibly, voters with no real connection to Literotica, writing, or the category they are voting on).

It's amusing to point out, I think, that, as an example, Ann1971 has only been a member for a week and a half, wasn't here to be influenced by anyone at Literotica in 2015 for any reason, and certainly wasn't moved by any author here enough to have favorited him/her--or anyone.

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Ok first let me say that unlike a millions of people out there, I don't watch American Idol, don't really like a lot of TV. I prefer to read, I have been reading on this site and others for over 3 yrs now but never really did anything other than vote at the end of the story I was reading. I saw the contest and when I got here it said I could only vote by becoming a member so I did. I have a lot of stories I like and some I have read that I didn't like, same goes for the writers. I commented on all of this after reading all the early comments, because I really just think everyone should vote on what or who you like, and be happy. I am not trying to fight with anyone. They said the problem was found and things were fixed and now the voting could carry on, so that should be all there is to it. I wish the writers good luck.

Ann1971 said:

They said the problem was found and things were fixed and now the voting could carry on, so that should be all there is to it. I wish the writers good luck.

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Fine, but that was resolved (without me commenting on it at all); I continue to think that your view of voting on this category of the contest, without justifying why you think the nominee was the "most influential author" in 2015, makes a mockery of this category, which isn't just an "I like" category; and the discussion moved on and broadened. We only have your word that you read here anytime in 2015. You've just shown up, show no evidence of reading in anywhere, and haven't favorited anything or anyone at all in your profile. I think you are commenting on a discussion you aren't following.

All we know from your demonstrated background is that you joined less than two weeks ago, you have nothing in your profile indicating even a reading history here before that, and you were so interested in how the voting was going that you noticed that votes had been dropped (your first of three posts in your entire Lit. history). As Judge Judy says, take away all of the "remote possibility" chances and you're left with a 90 percent common sense call, which is good enough for anything less than a capital murder case, and which, in this case, has a lot of the markings of an alt with a suddenly flaring propriety interest in the contest or an off-site shill.

ok, I am not talking about any one category, I was commenting on the contest as a whole. I have been here for awhile but weather or not you believe me is neither here nor there. I was only saying that each person should have their vote count for who ever they want or to what ever story they want and not have to explain that to anyone. I don't think that all this complain is doing anyone any good. The site will do what they want in the end no matter what we all think.

And I've disagreed with you on the "Most Influential Author" category (and would on the best editor category as well). This is a writing site. These aren't just "I like" categories. It's a mockery, cynical sham, and an insult to writers to treat them like some sort of she's/he's my drinking buddy vote. It helps the Web site to look like a Mickey Mouse program.

You've claimed the right to state your opinion, so you have no right to try to stifle mine--especially since I've paid my dues here and there's no evidence that you have.

I am not trying to tell you not to have an opinion, I just don't think all the arguing is doing anyone any good. And I don't think that I slapped anyone, with anything I said, I think the writers and editors have a hard job and most that I have read are doing a great job. There are a few I don't like but that is just because the story isn't to my taste, not because the didn't write it well. I am sorry if you felt that I made it out that I was belittling the writers in anyway. I wouldn't be here reading stories if I didn't like the site or writers.

Ann1971 said:

I am not trying to tell you not to have an opinion, I just don't think all the arguing is doing anyone any good. And I don't think that I slapped anyone, with anything I said, I think the writers and editors have a hard job and most that I have read are doing a great job. There are a few I don't like but that is just because the story isn't to my taste, not because the didn't write it well. I am sorry if you felt that I made it out that I was belittling the writers in anyway. I wouldn't be here reading stories if I didn't like the site or writers.

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I think he is talking about you not understand that this discussion is about a chapter not being a complete story and one chapter in a year does not make a most influential writer. That the whole thing is a sham for the most part.

To me, it is something well past its time. Back when the site was small and mostly friends it was a good thing, now it has nothing to do with good writing. It is now a who has the most friends deal.

lovecraft68 said:

You're welcome. It even debuted on my birthday. Who says I'm not a giver?

By Demon's Driven (4.87) A story of sex, sin and salvation. Hot Contest Winner Novels and Novellas 04/10/14

Too bad it made more on the contest win than as an e-book

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Not sure why you brought this up here, it didn't get Nominated.

I am as I always was quite proud of the fact that we wrote that story together, admittedly you had it well underway before I came on board, and donated the winnings to a local (to me) charity as agreed.
Did I not thank you sufficiently at the time for letting me put it on my page?
It's been almost two years since it won but thank you again.

TxRad said:

I think he is talking about you not understand that this discussion is about a chapter not being a complete story and one chapter in a year does not make a most influential writer. That the whole thing is a sham for the most part.

To me, it is something well past its time. Back when the site was small and mostly friends it was a good thing, now it has nothing to do with good writing. It is now a who has the most friends deal.

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I understand what the discussion was about, but The definition of influential is someone or something that has an impact on or shapes how people act or how things occur.
So what I didn't understand was what the big deal was over the chapter story vs finished story had to do with it.
To me a influential writer would be someone who has helped other writers either by helping editing or guiding other writers. Could just be someone who talked them through a block in their story. We don't truly know what these writers did or didn't do to help others, so to say they didn't deserve to be in that category based on weather they have a chapter written in this yr or a completed story to me is wrong.
I do think in the future that the rules should be laid out so that this doesn't happen again. I think a lot of people have been upset over this for no reason.
Again I am not trying to belittle anyone. I have been belittled a lot in this discussion, so I can see if this is how people are treated on here, why the member numbers are down.

Ann1971 said:

I am not trying to tell you not to have an opinion,

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Yep, you did. In your second all-time post to Literotica, you told me to shut up. You can stick that where the sun don't shine.

It will be interesting to see if you ever catch up with the discussion.

Ann1971 said:

I think a lot of people have been upset over this for no reason.
Again I am not trying to belittle anyone. I have been belittled a lot in this discussion, so I can see if this is how people are treated on here, why the member numbers are down.

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Unfortunately, belittling and being upset for no reason are far and away the most popular pursuits on these boards. Followed, somewhat distantly, by cybersex, and the occasional sprinkle of writing or talking about writing.

It gets frustrating, but as a site devoted to walking the line between pornography and literature, it's important for us to have a healthy respect for freedom of speech. The byproduct of that is that some of the members exercise that freedom...constantly.

I hope you, and others like you, stick around. There are some wonderful writers here. Many of whom are present or lurking in this very thread, and certainly in this contest. And plenty more that are not represented here in any way. Even the loud ones are often skilled, and they can be useful and pleasant when they aren't ripping and tearing. Though, such times seem to come less and less often.

For a bunch of perverts, we are surprisingly good people once you get past the bullshit.

Good luck making it that far.

AMoveableBeast said:

Unfortunately, belittling and being upset for no reason are far and away the most popular pursuits on these boards. Followed, somewhat distantly, by cybersex, and the occasional sprinkle of writing or talking about writing.

It gets frustrating, but as a site devoted to walking the line between pornography and literature, it's important for us to have a healthy respect for freedom of speech. The byproduct of that is that some of the members exercise that freedom...constantly.

I hope you, and others like you, stick around. There are some wonderful writers here. Many of whom are present or lurking in this very thread, and certainly in this contest. And plenty more that are not represented here in any way. Even the loud ones are often skilled, and they can be useful and pleasant when they aren't ripping and tearing. Though, such times seem to come less and less often.

For a bunch of perverts, we are surprisingly good people once you get past the bullshit.

Good luck making it that far.

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To start with, no one was being belittle nor was anyone upset. The fact that a chapter is only part of a story so shouldn't be allowed in a story contest was the opening discussion. No names were sullied or tossed around. This is one of the loopholes this site needs to plug.

Things have been pretty quiet around the boards for the last several months. Almost amicable. So don't try to paint this discussion as something it is not. The few of us talking about this are just the ones who don't care if we are bombed for it. Like you said, a bunch more authors are watching this thread closely. They'd be here also except they have more to lose or so they think.

Anyway, have a nice day.

TxRad said:

To start with, no one was being belittle nor was anyone upset. The fact that a chapter is only part of a story so shouldn't be allowed in a story contest was the opening discussion. No names were sullied or tossed around. This is one of the loopholes this site needs to plug.

Things have been pretty quiet around the boards for the last several months. Almost amicable. So don't try to paint this discussion as something it is not. The few of us talking about this are just the ones who don't care if we are bombed for it. Like you said, a bunch more authors are watching this thread closely. They'd be here also except they have more to lose or so they think.

Anyway, have a nice day.

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I've had two right down the line bombings this started and each person competing against me in the other three things besides author has had a huge boost in votes.

Because that's how it is here and that's why its usually only us and one or two others who speak their piece. Others are too concerned with scores and H's to 'risk' saying anything that may get them trolled.

So at the end of this I'll take a thank you from some of the winners for getting them some fuck you LC votes.

Anton Levay once said the Devil was the best thing that ever happened to the church because he was good for business.

I'm good for boards and these things, I give people a common cause to unite for.

I enjoy the frustration that I cause in a petty way. I am helpful to many and supportive, Etaski let that out of the bag justa few posts ago (Damn you.) but will 'rip and shred' anything I see I don't like.

I'd be easy to write off if I sucked, but I don't and have the body of work here to prove it.

I adhere to the old adage if they don't hate you're doing it wrong.

On that note, peace out folks and good luck to everyone who was nominated for something. Everyone here knows writing is hard work and not a person here doesn't work hard on their craft.

For the record, I don't disagree about the chapter thing. I'm not sure anyone does. It is an obvious advantage. But it is the way the site has functioned and those rules were in place before this whole shebang got started. Changes are apparently coming. I think that's great.

TxRad said:

The few of us talking about this are just the ones who don't care if we are bombed for it. Like you said, a bunch more authors are watching this thread closely. They'd be here also except they have more to lose or so they think.

Anyway, have a nice day.

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This, I believe, is unfortunately true. I think to many, this juice simply isn't worth the squeeze. And they're right. Speaking up often brings more trouble than anything else. Which is why I don't often weigh in on the politics around here. I don't even really defend myself when I'm attacked because to someone outside the argument, they just see two idiots arguing on the internet--and that's not my scene.

What I take issue with is that, to my knowledge, not a single author in this contest nominated themselves. No one is claiming superiority, or offering evidence that being eligible in this contest supports that argument. Etaski and pocketbooklover write stories. Which happened to be long, chaptered, and in categories that have strong fan-bases. I see no evidence that they did this for any other reason other than that they love those kinds of stories. Their fans put them forth because they wanted to. That's no sin.

Now I don't know them personally. I've never said as much as a word to either. I've read them both, and I think they're talented. I like sci-fi (I actually prefer Sufferance to Surfacing, but, hey, what do I know?), and have a well-documented, and somewhat embarrassing, love of werewolves.

But even if I didn't, they are doing exactly what anyone else hopes to do on this site: putting asses in seats and affecting people. And I think it is reprehensible that their accomplishments are being called into question because they don't fit a PERSONAL idea of what this site should be and how it should run.

If someone disagrees with the way site does business--fine. But this is not the place, in my opinion. And singling out hardworking authors as undeserving when they are operating completely within the confines of the system is, to me, low-rent.

There may be valid criticisms in this thread, but they are sheathed in sour grapes and disrespect.

I should have stayed out of it. It's the first time in a year that I've said anything remotely controversial on these boards because, honestly, I don't want the whirlwind. I just want to write and read and have fun.

But my conscience got the better of me here. And I should know better.

When they came for the sci-fi writers, I didn't speak up because I was not a sci-fi writer...and all that jazz.

Isn't "head in the sand" fun? Especially when "get indignant over what wasn't the point" is added into it. It helps when you own the Web site and don't want to make any changes or clean anything up too.

sr71plt said:

Isn't "head in the sand" fun? Especially when "get indignant over what wasn't the point" is added into it. It helps when you own the Web site and don't want to make any changes or clean anything up too.

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You're just mad because you never get one of these ""

lovecraft68 said:

You're just mad because you never get one of these ""

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Oh, I do occasionally. Not as often as James gets them or some of her drone friends on the GB do (or did before she left the GB in disgust at what she created there).

I think that's her symbol for "I like the mess just the way it is."

Which, of course, is very much in the "believe it when you actually see it" department.