Regular readers or fans

[JKendallDane]

<snip> Some authors will argue on this, but it all boils down to personal satisfaction: Do you want to write something that the readers will remember for a long time or do you want to write forgettable erotica?

<snip>

You can gain a lot of favourites and fan bases either way, but personally speaking, I'd rather write for people who are interested in my story for the writing itself. I don't find one-handed readers particularly helpful in terms of helping me improve as a writer. Different strokes for different people, but my goals from this place are slightly different.

Everything else you said is very good too, Bard, but those two items, in particular, deserve to stand out.

 

[karaline]

Is there a way to get in touch with those people who leave comments like 'please write more'?

Others have answered the other parts of you're post well already, in regards to this bit, I know a few Literotica authors who include a link to their twitter/facebook account (Not their real one but an author alias) and say friend me or follow me for author updates.

 

[JKendallDane]

Others have answered the other parts of you're post well already, in regards to this bit, I know a few Literotica authors who include a link to their twitter/facebook account (Not their real one but an author alias) and say friend me or follow me for author updates.

Anyone who is serious about their writing and wanting to increase the number of readers and fans should really have a Facebook page at a minimum. Especially since they finally decided Literotica is not "just a porn site" and allow you to hotlink stories there now...including the ability to add a "book cover" of sorts.

I have found a personal note to all new author and story favs with that information is very helpful also. Depending on how intense they are, I use the Lit contact form for a personal note about comments also.

Building a fan base has many paths to use. Don't just assume one or two will get you where you want to be.

.

 

[GoldenCojones]

Anyone who is serious about their writing and wanting to increase the number of readers and fans should really have a Facebook page at a minimum. Especially since they finally decided Literotica is not "just a porn site" and allow you to hotlink stories there now...including the ability to add a "book cover" of sorts.

I have found a personal note to all new author and story favs with that information is very helpful also. Depending on how intense they are, I use the Lit contact form for a personal note about comments also.

Building a fan base has many paths to use. Don't just assume one or two will get you where you want to be.

.

Wait, what! Lit's not just a porn site? Damn! I like porn.

 

[JKendallDane]

Wait, what! Lit's not just a porn site? Damn! I like porn.

The key word being "just" of course. You can still get your fix.



.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Anyone who is serious about their writing and wanting to increase the number of readers and fans should really have a Facebook page at a minimum.

I enjoy my FB page and hook up with a lot of writers on there in addition to people I meet here. I do belong to an FB Erotica Writers' group, however I don't get time to go and take part in their exercises these days. I still post with the individual writers I met in that group on my main FB page.

You have to think quite carefully about what social media you want to get into; there is so much around and it takes a lot of work to maintain it all. If you are not posting new stories frequently, there may not be much for fans to Follow on your Twitter Feed. If you are just writing blogposts to promote your own writing, you may be better off doing guest posts on a popular blog belonging to a group of other writers or a publishing house.

Basically, if you are regularly turning out quality stories on here you will build up a Following. Lien_Geller is a good example - he writes slowly and it can take a year or more for him to post a new chapter but his fans are desperate for him to put up new writing and will beg him in Comments to let them know when the next one is coming out.

 

[CharlieB4]

One handed, hands free, I like them all.

I'm never going to be great writer, I'm not even going to make it as a crap writer. I'm a scribbler who enjoys putting my weird day dreams down on paper. I'm eternally grateful that anybody clicks on my stories and takes the time to read them.
If they leave an encouraging comment I'll often click on there user name and thank them with a short note on the feedback section of their member page.

Attracting a following can be a double edged sword. If they like you for writing a particular story they can feel betrayed if you stray to another theme.

And now to the comment below about "one handed readers." I'm not picky, I read stories on this site as well and was drawn to it because of the sexy stories. So if a reader really "likes" a story I'm probably more chuffed. Indeed one lady from the sub continent messaged me saying she had to get off her tablet and go to the computer so she could be "hands free" so to speak. That's way better than five stars in my book.

My advice would be to just continue writing what you like and when the opportunity arises interact with you commenters.

Cheers

CharlieB4

Depends on a lot of things, actually.

First and foremost: Category.

Incest notches up the most views, votes, favourites and comments as compared to other categories. Next is Mature, Anal, Loving Wives etc (not necessarily in the same order or particulars). If you're a regular author in these categories, and write great formulaic stories, expect a fan base in a few months time.

Plot is very important for categories like Sci-Fi, Non-Human and other categories with elements of Science fic. World building requires brains as well as words to draw in like minded readers. Most high rating stories are obviously chaptered series, but quite a few stand alone stories have done great for themselves. If you want to get noticed, write a series that has done well from the beginning.

Incest, Anal etc doesn't require much of a plot, but erotica. The more titillating you make, the more faves you gain. Scores get hit if you don't have a coherent plot, or a series to follow. Most of the high-ranking stories are either novel length or a part of a never-ending series. You can gain a lot of fans that way too. But keep it running for too long and you'll definitely get trolled for not finishing it.

Loving Wives is a different animal altogether. Readers don't seem to read the erotica, which is negligible in almost all of the high-ranking stories (stand alone and series alike). In this category, write at your own risk. That's all I can say.

Second, and almost as important as the first one: Quality

Believe it or not, as shitty as this place is, good writing is what draws serious readers in. Crappy grammar, bad plot and cheap sex will only get you as far as the next solemn 1 star and a hateful comment on your story.

One author that I follow has only 6 stories in his name and is already in the top authors list. Some authors will argue on this, but it all boils down to personal satisfaction: Do you want to write something that the readers will remember for a long time or do you want to write forgettable erotica?

You can gain a lot of favourites and fan bases either way, but personally speaking, I'd rather write for people who are interested in my story for the writing itself. I don't find one-handed readers particularly helpful in terms of helping me improve as a writer. Different strokes for different people, but my goals from this place are slightly different.

Third: Get something into the Hall of Fame

As ridiculous and insanely hard as this sounds, a random reader who's not particularly well-versed with Literotica will first look for the high rated stories in the Hall of Fame. They're the biggest advertisement board you can have for yourself. Literotica registers a lot of new readers every month, so if you have something in the top list, and it hit someone's sweet spot, expect a loyal fan.

These days, longer stories with good writing will get you up the ranks. Short two-page somethings get stuck at 4.6 rating, however good the writing be,so you could write a longer story and submit it as a series. You'll find that the fifth or sixth chapter has somehow managed to crawl into the HoF. If it's good, it'll stay there or it'll sink back to the abyss of Literotica anonymity.

There are several things that I want to add, but I'm too f-ing tired. So, that's all for now.

Keep writing and good luck.

Everything else you said is very good too, Bard, but those two items, in particular, deserve to stand out.

 

[Areala-chan]

Incest will get you good numbers, but it does come with some of the "you're a sick fuck" trolls.

While I've only one story in the category, I have somehow avoided comments of this sort on it so far. Is it possible people who troll incest don't care when it's lesbian-themed, or was mine just not interesting enough to ruffle feathers?

 

[lovecraft68]

While I've only one story in the category, I have somehow avoided comments of this sort on it so far. Is it possible people who troll incest don't care when it's lesbian-themed, or was mine just not interesting enough to ruffle feathers?

I can't really say, I've never done a Lesbian incest story, which pisses me off because I think its hot, but can't find the write plot to click with.

Maybe with only one you've flown under the radar, once they see your name all the time they start to zero in.