Dropping in to say, "Hi."

[rgraham666]

Well, I tried the publishing and self-publishing route for getting my work out there.

May I say what a hideous disappointment it was?

So I'm back on putting my work up on Lit again which means I can hang here again.

How's everyone doing?

 

[SusanJillParker]

Well, I tried the publishing and self-publishing route for getting my work out there.

May I say what a hideous disappointment it was?

So I'm back on putting my work up on Lit again which means I can hang here again.

How's everyone doing?

Welcome back. It's always good to have the return of a great writer.

By the way, I never had any success with E-books. I published 6 of them but have earned more money from writing custom, personalized stories for fans for a small, flat fee.

 

[lovecraft68]

Welcome back.

e-books are hit and miss, especially now with such a flooded market. Only way to make money is to either have a niche or spend a lot of time building up a big selection and getting a returning fanbase, sort of like here.

 

[rgraham666]

Pretty much the same here. I also made some nice cash winning a contest here.

I can't get some of the money I've made because I can't afford a lawyer to disentangle said money from US tax law. That's one of the pieces of horseshit that really ruined publishing for me.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Pretty much the same here. I also made some nice cash winning a contest here.

I can't get some of the money I've made because I can't afford a lawyer to disentangle said money from US tax law. That's one of the pieces of horseshit that really ruined publishing for me.

Perhaps you could persuade Laurel to hold the Survivor contest, the writer with the most stories in the most categories wins, again. She stopped it at the end of 2016. There was good money in playing that game, $500 for first place, $250 for 2nd place, $200 for 3rd place, $150 for 4th, and $100 for 5th.

These other theme contests are more popularity contests than they are writing talent contests. She also stopped the monthly contests too.

If not Survivor, she needs to come up with a new, money contest.

 

[lovecraft68]

Perhaps you could persuade Laurel to hold the Survivor contest, the writer with the most stories in the most categories wins, again. She stopped it at the end of 2016. There was good money in playing that game, $500 for first place, $250 for 2nd place, $200 for 3rd place, $150 for 4th, and $100 for 5th.

These other theme contests are more popularity contests than they are writing talent contests. She also stopped the monthly contests too.

If not Survivor, she needs to come up with a new, money contest.

She actually just brought back the monthly...awarding Jan 2017 recently

I agree as far as themed contests equal popularity and also formula stories and gamesmanship, trolling, cheerleading etc...

But Survivor isn't about talent either. Just because someone writes a ton of stories doesn't mean they're good ones. In fact survivor lends to people writing half ass 3k works in categories just to get the points.

Not that you brought them up, but there's no bigger farce than the annuals and the annual lies about changing them.

In the end no contest here is a judge of best story and non are actually legit with all the games inherent to each one.

 

[SusanJillParker]

She actually just brought back the monthly...awarding Jan 2017 recently

I agree as far as themed contests equal popularity and also formula stories and gamesmanship, trolling, cheerleading etc...

But Survivor isn't about talent either. Just because someone writes a ton of stories doesn't mean they're good ones. In fact survivor lends to people writing half ass 3k works in categories just to get the points.

Not that you brought them up, but there's no bigger farce than the annuals and the annual lies about changing them.

In the end no contest here is a judge of best story and non are actually legit with all the games inherent to each one.

Thank you for informing me about the monthly contests. I wasn't aware of that.

Now, as far as the Survivor contest goes, I resent your implication that all that I wrote were 3,000 word stories. I didn't.

I write stories that have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. I write stories and don't finish them until my characters tell me that I'm done. I wrote the best stories that I could write when participating in the Survivor's contest.

Since you participated in one contest, you know that it is not easy trying to write stories in 30 of the 35 categories which I routinely still do. Most authors here write in 1 to 4 categories, I don't.

Just as I'm proud of winning the Survivor's contest 3 times, coming in 2nd three times, and placing 3rd, three times, I'm proud of every story that I've written.

 

[ChloeTzang]

She actually just brought back the monthly...awarding Jan 2017 recently

I agree as far as themed contests equal popularity and also formula stories and gamesmanship, trolling, cheerleading etc...

But Survivor isn't about talent either. Just because someone writes a ton of stories doesn't mean they're good ones. In fact survivor lends to people writing half ass 3k works in categories just to get the points.

Not that you brought them up, but there's no bigger farce than the annuals and the annual lies about changing them.

In the end no contest here is a judge of best story and non are actually legit with all the games inherent to each one.

I'd almost say take the money out of it or make it an even more nominal amount. I don't enter these for a shot at the money at all, more coz the competitions are fun and they give me a hard target to complete a story for. And they force me to think outside the box a bit.

 

[SusanJillParker]

I'd almost say take the money out of it or make it an even more nominal amount. I don't enter these for a shot at the money at all, more coz the competitions are fun and they give me a hard target to complete a story for. And they force me to think outside the box a bit.

Instead of money, I proposed that Laurel should give Literotica gifts. A Literotica jacket for the winner, blue for men and pink for women. Literotica tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and/or Literotica hats to everyone who enters the contest.

She could give Literotica coffee mugs, keychains, and even a new Mini Cooper as the grand prize. Okay, perhaps a 1/18 scale diecast car of a Mini Cooper as a grand prize.

Seriously, be honest and tell me the truth, don't you think you'd look sexy wearing a pink Literotica sweatshirt with nothing else, not even panties (lol)?

Seriously, be honest and tell me the truth, don't you think you'd look even sexier wearing a pink, Literotica hat and nothing else (lol)?

 

[lovecraft68]

Thank you for informing me about the monthly contests. I wasn't aware of that.

Now, as far as the Survivor contest goes, I resent your implication that all that I wrote were 3,000 word stories. I didn't.

I write stories that have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. I write stories and don't finish them until my characters tell me that I'm done. I wrote the best stories that I could write when participating in the Survivor's contest.

Since you participated in one contest, you know that it is not easy trying to write stories in 30 of the 35 categories which I routinely still do. Most authors here write in 1 to 4 categories, I don't.

Just as I'm proud of winning the Survivor's contest 3 times, coming in 2nd three times, and placing 3rd, three times, I'm proud of every story that I've written.

I didn't say you write only 3k stories. I said its what I saw a lot of the couple times I did it and paid attention.

I had no illusions of even placing in survivor, I'm not that prolific and only like to write what I enjoy not force myself into categories that don't intrigue me, so I give credit to people who did well there.

But the very short and often half ass crap story was a staple of that contest by people either forcing themselves to write or just trying to run up their score and not care about quality.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'd almost say take the money out of it or make it an even more nominal amount. I don't enter these for a shot at the money at all, more coz the competitions are fun and they give me a hard target to complete a story for. And they force me to think outside the box a bit.

I don't think taking the money out would matter and the reason is look at all the sniping and trolling and also upvoting and cheerleading, alt voting goes into things like getting a story to a Red H or keeping it on a top list or a fav story list...none of those things pay and people still game the hell out of them.,

 

[SusanJillParker]

I don't think taking the money out would matter and the reason is look at all the sniping and trolling and also upvoting and cheerleading, alt voting goes into things like getting a story to a Red H or keeping it on a top list or a fav story list...none of those things pay and people still game the hell out of them.,

Nonetheless all of the sniping, trolling, up-voting, cheer leading, and/or alt-voting, whether real or imagined, contests are still fun. It still would be cool to have souvenirs that advertised Literotica.

I'd look wicked good wearing my pink, literotica hat with nothing else while holding my Literotica coffee mug.

I still wear the three Green E's that I won around my neck. They shine as much as Kryptonite. Afraid of blinding oncoming drivers, I can't wear my Green E's at night. They are my Olympic gold medals but for writing erotica.

Do you wear your Green E's around your neck, LoveCraft? Oh, wait, that's right. Sorry, how stupid of me? This is embarrassing. My apologies. You've never won a Green E, have you?

 

[TxRad]

Welcome back Rob.

Come by the coffee shop and I'll buy you a cuppa.

Most of the old crowd is gone but a few of us are still here.

 

[RejectReality]

Welcome back

Few familiar faces left, but you knew that already when you phased out. They were already falling by the wayside then.

I post as RR instead of Dark now because I use Chrome as my primary browser most times, and that's the browser this pen name is logged into.

 

[lovecraft68]

Nonetheless all of the sniping, trolling, up-voting, cheer leading, and/or alt-voting, whether real or imagined, contests are still fun. It still would be cool to have souvenirs that advertised Literotica.

I'd look wicked good wearing my pink, literotica hat with nothing else while holding my Literotica coffee mug.

I still wear the three Green E's that I won around my neck. They shine as much as Kryptonite. Afraid of blinding oncoming drivers, I can't wear my Green E's at night. They are my Olympic gold medals but for writing erotica.

Do you wear your Green E's around your neck, LoveCraft? Oh, wait, that's right. Sorry, how stupid of me? This is embarrassing. My apologies. You've never won a Green E, have you?

Nope, no green E's but seeing a green e means one person and one person only liked your story, I'll pass.

And you're proof of why they're worthless. You got them meaning Laurel liked your stories, then when you did a satire on them you never got another one. Nothing to do with talent or lack of everything to do with the childish whim this site is run on.


I do have 6 blue W's and you have none, so if you'd like to swap let me know.

They're equally worthless.

But a coffee mug would be cool.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Nope, no green E's but seeing a green e means one person and one person only liked your story, I'll pass.

And you're proof of why they're worthless. You got them meaning Laurel liked your stories, then when you did a satire on them you never got another one. Nothing to do with talent or lack of everything to do with the childish whim this site is run on.


I do have 6 blue W's and you have none, so if you'd like to swap let me know.

They're equally worthless.

But a coffee mug would be cool.

As you've already previously admitted...

Originally Posted by lovecraft68 View Post
"She actually just brought back the monthly...awarding Jan 2017 recently

I agree as far as themed contests equal popularity and also formula stories and gamesmanship, trolling, cheerleading etc...

In the end no contest here is a judge of best story and non are actually legit with all the games inherent to each one."

Sorry but your Blue W's, just as your place on the most favored writer list, is nothing more than a meaningless measure of your popularity.

Even with me the most hated writer on the site, bar none, my writing ability and talent keeps me as #19 on the most favored writer list. That is quite an accomplishment, wouldn't you say?

 

[_Lynn_]

Well, I tried the publishing and self-publishing route for getting my work out there.

May I say what a hideous disappointment it was?

So I'm back on putting my work up on Lit again which means I can hang here again.

How's everyone doing?

Welcome back.

I'm sorry the publishing didn't go well for you.

 

[Handley_Page]

Well, I tried the publishing and self-publishing route for getting my work out there.
May I say what a hideous disappointment it was?

So I'm back on putting my work up on Lit again which means I can hang here again.

How's everyone doing?

Welcome Back.
I'm not quite sure why your foray into self-publishing meant you'd not be welcome on Lit though. There area number of 'professional' auithors who are ALSO members of the Lit community, I believe.

 

[KCWinter]

Welcome back, Rob. During my own foray into the world of publishing, I encountered you on an authors' forum. (I didn't write under this name then, but my initials for that pen name were K.C., just as they were for my original account here on Lit.) I'm sorry self-pubbing/publishing didn't work out for you. I'm in the same boat, hence my own return to Lit.

It's a lot calmer here...

 

[rgraham666]

Welcome Back.
I'm not quite sure why your foray into self-publishing meant you'd not be welcome on Lit though. There area number of 'professional' auithors who are ALSO members of the Lit community, I believe.

Sorry if I mislead.

I felt if I wasn't posting work at Lit at least occasionally I couldn't claim to be a Lit author. But since I'm, for now, giving up on publishing out in The World, i'm a Lit author again.

Thanks for the warm welcome, all.

 

[sr71plt]

Well, I tried the publishing and self-publishing route for getting my work out there.

May I say what a hideous disappointment it was?

So I'm back on putting my work up on Lit again which means I can hang here again.

How's everyone doing?

Welcome back. You left not long after I arrived but your postings were always interesting and focused on writing and you wrote a favorable review of one of my first stories posted here--when there was a review thread on the AH--so your name popped out.

I've made "good enough to justify the effort" money from e-booking (and paperbacking) my erotica but only because I got in the market and established a following before there was a glut of offerings and because I keep them coming (and there are a lot of them) and explore the less-served niches.

The coffee shop thread, as TxRad notes, is a good place to reinsert yourself.

I agree that the story win money is good here, but I'm one who thinks that the money award causes enough cheating to make winning with a high-quality work a futile effort (although entering the contests expands readership). It's mostly about gaming strategy. I've placed in contests a couple of times but not taken the money. I like the Green Es (and have a ton of those), but agree that those can/do stop for other reasons than the quality of the newer stories.

 

[lovecraft68]

As you've already previously admitted...

Originally Posted by lovecraft68 View Post
"She actually just brought back the monthly...awarding Jan 2017 recently

I agree as far as themed contests equal popularity and also formula stories and gamesmanship, trolling, cheerleading etc...

In the end no contest here is a judge of best story and non are actually legit with all the games inherent to each one."

Sorry but your Blue W's, just as your place on the most favored writer list, is nothing more than a meaningless measure of your popularity.

Even with me the most hated writer on the site, bar none, my writing ability and talent keeps me as #19 on the most favored writer list. That is quite an accomplishment, wouldn't you say?

If you're looking for me to argue and defend anything I've done here, you're not going to get one. Maybe a few years ago I night have thought they meant something, but after the 'cabin' controversy I-and anyone paying attention- learned just how easy it is to game them and in general how little actual talent is emphasized by a readership voting based on who their fav author is and if the story got their rocks off.

The last nail in the coffin of legitimacy is the sweeps and how inconsistent they are and how deep they cut to the point contest winners are now routinely in the 4.9's afterwards the of course drop way down after that. 4.82 used to get a placing. The sweeps are unfair to some stories, too 'fair' to others. I'm pretty much going to call them rigged at this point.

I agree, the most favorited list for authors isn't really more than a popularity contest. That's obvious in that many of the top part of that list features authors who write exclusively, or at least a lot of incest stories. As you know its by far the number one 'stat' garnering category and leads to a lot of favs,

I put a little more stock in the most favorited story list as in I think its gamed a lot less, but fact is anything that allows the creation of endless sock puppets from the same IP address is always going to look suspicious and its not like lit sweeps suspicious favs just votes.

Short of the contest wins which paid out-all of which I gave to Parl, the providence animal rescue league-my worst selling e-book has made me more than my most voted/favorited story.

But there is a market for e-books. Maybe you were unlucky or didn't stick with it long enough, but its there. Its a rare breed that could make a living off it, but its a nice little slush fund for vacations or some extras.

 

[Gentleman_G]

Welcome back, Rob. We don't know each other yet, but nevertheless it's always nice to see someone return.
Hope you'll get some positive results on publishing in the future. We all like to see successful authors.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Hey Rob.

Like Lovecraft said, now self-publishing ebooks id hit or miss now. Five years ago I was getting a lot more than I am now. Now I make enough to maybe eat out once a month.

 

[My I]

Hey RG. Haven't seen you since the get together at Jammie's place. Wow that was a while back.