Story posting etiquette question

[BelleCanzuto]

I've written a bunch of short stories about the same kinky couple. Each one is completely stand alone, and they'll be in different categories, appropriate to their content. These are not chapters in an ongoing story and they're not in any particular order. The readers don't need to know anything that's happened in any of the other stories to understand any one of them. I just decided to name the main characters the same in each story, and have a background in my head to keep their behavior consistent, etc.

Anyway, my plan up untill a few minutes ago, was to submit three of these stories at the same time, across three different categories. But now I'm wondering if that's a done thing, or if someone would think i was trying to game the "new stories" page. So, I'm looking for advice from those wiser than I.

Would that plan be acceptable: submitting three stories in one day, across three different categoies (in this case they'd be erotic couplings, fetish,and BDSM). Or should I spread them out more?

Thanks

 

[SimonDoom]

Why do you want to post three stories on the same day? What's your reason for that?

I would think you would maximize reader response by spacing them out more.

I don't think Laurel would object to this, and I don't think your readers will object, but I suspect you'll have more total readers if you submit the stories one at a time.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

Why do you want to post three stories on the same day? What's your reason for that?

I would think you would maximize reader response by spacing them out more.

I don't think Laurel would object to this, and I don't think your readers will object, but I suspect you'll have more total readers if you submit the stories one at a time.

Yeah, my idea was to submit the three stories in close proximity at least, to introduce the idea that there were more where those came from, and to emphasize that they weren't all in the same subject matter.

 

[SimonDoom]

Yeah, my idea was to submit the three stories in close proximity at least, to introduce the idea that there were more where those came from, and to emphasize that they weren't all in the same subject matter.

I'd suggest beginning each of your first few stories with an introduction advising the readers that you plan to publish more than one story with these two characters but that they'll be in different categories. That way your readers will be on notice and they may or may not try out the stories in other categories.

I don't think publishing them all at once helps achieve the goal.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Reluctant as I am to argue with such a respected authority as Mr Doom, I see no reason not to post all three in different areas on the same day. My House of Feathers series lies in seven or eight different categories. And I’ve certainly released some stories close together. I don’t see this as an attempt to game anything. Go for it.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I'd suggest beginning each of your first few stories with an introduction advising the readers that you plan to publish more than one story with these two characters but that they'll be in different categories. That way your readers will be on notice and they may or may not try out the stories in other categories.

I don't think publishing them all at once helps achieve the goal.

Yes, I have an author's note at the top of each of the finished stories to that effect. I have eight completed stories now, with ideas for three or four more in some stage of gettting worked on.

Reluctant as I am to argue with such a respected authority as Mr Doom, I see no reason not to post all three in different areas on the same day. My House of Feathers series lies in seven or eight different categories. And I’ve certainly released some stories close together. I don’t see this as an attempt to game anything. Go for it.

Thanks. Since I've been mostly writing in BDSM, I'm used to not getting the same readership as the more popular categories, anyway.

 

[gunhilltrain]

You could consider having links between the stories. I put in a note at the top and have the HTML code in there to link to the titles of other stories. I think the moderators can do it for you - there was a thread about that topic I believe.

I usually do it if a story is a prequel or sequel to another, or sometimes if they have characters in common. Occasionally there is a story that has the same setting but is on a different timeline.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I agree with TP and Mr. Doom. It's completely up to you as an independent, amateur writer submitting your stories to the site per its T&Cs when, how and what categories you want your stories published. There may be some people who say that you've bombarded the "New Stories" page; so what. There's always people whose feathers are easily ruffled.

"Gaming" isn't an issue at all here. If someone's suggested that it is... *smh* I'm humbly resipiscent by the superbity of people that can simultaneously misuse specific terms of art for their own caterwauling, yet be obstinately unwilling to learn and correct what they don't know.

But that's none of my business. So, back to my tea.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

You could consider having links between the stories. I put in a note at the top and have the HTML code in there to link to the titles of other stories. I think the moderators can do it for you - there was a thread about that topic I believe.

I usually do it if a story is a prequel or sequel to another, or sometimes if they have characters in common. Occasionally there is a story that has the same setting but is on a different timeline.

I thought we couldn't put links in stories?
Anway, yes I have an author's note, and all the titles begin the same way, so they'll get grouped together in my submissions page.

 

[SimonDoom]

such a respected authority as Mr Doom.

I've arrived! I can say I've made it here now. You made my day.

Just to be clear, I don't think etiquette is an issue here. However the OP wants to do it is fine. I see it more as a matter of tactics: how will the OP get the best response for the stories? I don't see big plus with publishing them in groups on the same day.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I thought we couldn't put links in stories?

In one sense, your signature block already has a link. Here’s a possible solution (if indeed there’s is a problem). Post the titles and, if you want, categories in your signature block.

PM to follow.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

In one sense, your signature block already has a link. Here’s a possible solution (if indeed there’s is a problem). Post the titles and, if you want, categories in your signature block.

PM to follow.

Hi TP - got your PM and I may update my signature to link more directly to one of these stories too. But I'd interpreted gunhilltrain's suggestion as putting a link in a published story to another of my stories. That's what I thought we couldn't do.

Also, thanks for the compliment. I'm glad to be here too.

 

[oggbashan]

If you submit three (or more) stories on the same day, unless they are early submissions for a forthcoming contest, Laurel tends to space them over several days.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

If you submit three (or more) stories on the same day, unless they are early submissions for a forthcoming contest, Laurel tends to space them over several days.

That's good to know. I think that'll work, anyway. Thanks Ogg.

 

[Hypoxia]

I thought we couldn't put links in stories?
Anway, yes I have an author's note, and all the titles begin the same way, so they'll get grouped together in my submissions page.

You can include links to LIT URLs -- I have embedded story links in newer stories . Go for it!

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'd suggest beginning each of your first few stories with an introduction advising the readers that you plan to publish more than one story with these two characters but that they'll be in different categories. That way your readers will be on notice and they may or may not try out the stories in other categories.

I don't think publishing them all at once helps achieve the goal.

Agreed. I don't think it's going to harm that goal, but from what I can see a lot of readers only look in specific categories, so they may not even notice that you've posted three at once. The intro is a more useful way of pointing them to the other stories.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I thought we couldn't put links in stories?
Anway, yes I have an author's note, and all the titles begin the same way, so they'll get grouped together in my submissions page.

You can.

I did it recently in my meta-Maddy story, where I refer to half a dozen of my own stories in the story. Laurel let me put links to them all at the end of Chapter One.

I've also done collaborative stories, where my co-writers put the first page up in their story file, then linked to the complete story in my story file.

Just ask Laurel nicely, in the Notes to the Editor. I can share the html - although LoquiSordidaAdMe was the clever one who showed me.

 

[ElectricBlue]

To answer the OP - I'd post them a couple of days apart to lengthen your time on front pages. Most folk can remember things that long and join things up.

Do what I do and give them the same common title - just don't use chapter numbers - that clearly shows they are linked, but stand-alone. Most readers are clever and will figure it out. Those that can't... well, do you care .

 

[BelleCanzuto]

So, I went ahead and submitted the three yesterday, taking Ogg's observation that Laurel will spread mutliple submissions out on her own (or her server's own). I also threw in a fourth story that's unrelated to the other three, but had been rattling around asking to be let go for a while.
Anyway - I just checked, and two of them are slated to post tomorrow. I guess the other two will post a day or two after that. I think this works out fine.

Thanks for all your suggestions.