Posting a new version of a story

[testudo]

So i have a story almost done and would like an editor to look over it, but I'm kind of impatient and also want to post it now. Is it ok to post a story and then repost an updated version of it later? I guess this is both a technical and literary question. If you post un updated version of a a story, does it reset the ratings of it and remove it from people favorites list? I would be less likely to do it if it would be that disruptive. On the literary side (not that anything i write really qualifies as literary) do you think it takes away from a story if people see a worse version of it before they see the improved version?

 

[RejectReality]

If you only edit it, you'll maintain the old vote totals, favorites, etc. It won't appear on the new stories page. Any ratings hit or bad comments you receive due to problems with the unedited version will still be there on the edited version.

If you delete the old and submit the new, everything resets to zero. There are enough readers who recognize the story and either A) Accuse you of plagiarizing your own story or B) Complain that you're taking advantage of them by putting it on the new story list again to be problematic. Not recommended.

All in all, if you're planning to have it edited, it's best to wait until that's done before posting.

At the very least, if you can't find a second set of eyes quickly enough, try downloading a text-to-speech program ( there are free versions ) and run it through that. You'll be amazed at your own mistakes you catch that way that you overlooked a dozen times.

And/or run it through an online grammar checker. Again, there are many free ones, though most have text length limitations you have to work around. You have to be careful of taking what any computerized grammar checker says at face value, too.

Try reading it in a different font face and size than you write in. That's another thing that will make errors you've overlooked a dozen times jump out at you.

 

[litfan10]

So i have a story almost done and would like an editor to look over it, but I'm kind of impatient and also want to post it now. Is it ok to post a story and then repost an updated version of it later? I guess this is both a technical and literary question. If you post un updated version of a a story, does it reset the ratings of it and remove it from people favorites list? I would be less likely to do it if it would be that disruptive. On the literary side (not that anything i write really qualifies as literary) do you think it takes away from a story if people see a worse version of it before they see the improved version?

Hey testudo:

Can't help you with the technical side of things so I'll hit on the literary side.

Certainly it is "okay" as there are no post - reposting laws.

Ultimately it is what makes you happiest as this is all subjective, not in the least objective.

As a writer first impressions mean everything. Ideally, you want fans - a poor story won't help that. They likely won't see a reposted version but they will remember your name for a bad story before and be less likely to read you again.
Finding an editor is pretty easy here - You waited how many years? What's another day or two.

Good luck and don't forget to put a link in your sig so we can easily found your work.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Posting prematurely is like premature ejaculation - it's not always a good look.

My brutal take on it - if YOU don't think it's ready, and you KNOW it needs an editor, why on earth do you want to inflict it on readers at this time? That will only end in tears.

Be patient, get it right, and don't waste Laurel's time submitting it twice. I mean, if it's that good a story, you've got it right, already, yeah?

 

[Zodia195]

It also will be really tedious to repost something too because you'd have go back and separate lines and paragraphs too if you are like me and copy and paste your writing section in the Story section of your submission.

Also I remember when I posted stuff before I got an editor and it really got tiring to keep getting comments on my grammar. So save yourself the trouble and take the time to find a good editor. Believe me, I know how you feel about wanting to share your work asap, but it pays to be patient and put out a good product. Your readers will appreciate it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It also will be really tedious to repost something too because you'd have go back and separate lines and paragraphs too if you are like me and copy and paste your writing section in the Story section of your submission.

Zodia, if you are writing in Word, save your file as .rtf That way, you only need two Returns at the end of each paragraph, and it is formatted perfectly for up-loading to Lit (using both old and new control panels**), and requires minimal processing by Laurel.

** for some reason .txt files could be uploaded on the old control panel, and gave you a preview in the submission box - but not so on the new CP. With me at least - I write and upload from a kindle, so it might be a dodgy android interface. But .rtf allows you to eyeball your paragraph breaks.

 

[Bramblethorn]

New stories get a lot of eyeballs in the first ~ week while they're on the New Stories list. After that, reads slow down considerably. So if you post a story and then submit edits even a few days later, many of your readers will miss them.

Better to take a few more days to get it as right as you're planning to get it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

As everyone has said, edits are fairly easy and you get to keep the vote and read totals and unless you delete all those comments about how you need an editor, sure go ahead.

But as Bramblethorn said, lots of reads as long as it's on the new list...after that...they(the ones who have read the original) won't be back to read the edited version.