Alternatives?

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

But they still add it to one story, you don't see 25 chapters of the same story on one top list.

I find it odd-and annoying-that the same readers who won't go buy an author's e-book to support them will sign up to pay to see a chapter they are going to get for free eventually.

The biggest scam artist here when it comes to Patreon is getting close to losing their account for pulling some sketchy things that for some reason they don't think Patreon is going to notice. I've heard that some have made the platform aware of it, but not sure if that's true or not. Looking forward to it though. Always fun to see karma come around.

They also don't allow Patreon scammers. The rules over there are very simple: If you post your story on Patreon (or a similar site), you have to keep what you post to SOL within two installments of your actual progress. And if the story is completed, it has to be completed on SOL within two weeks.

... that is, unless the completed version is only available on SOL's own bookstore, then they make an exception to the two-week rule.

 

[lovecraft68]

They also don't allow Patreon scammers. The rules over there are very simple: If you post your story on Patreon (or a similar site), you have to keep what you post to SOL within two installments of your actual progress. And if the story is completed, it has to be completed on SOL within two weeks.

... that is, unless the completed version is only available on SOL's own bookstore, then they make an exception to the two-week rule.

Way back when there was a rule here, and maybe there still technically is but damned if its ever enforced.

The rule was if you started a story here. You could not finish it for sale unless it was complete here.

Example, someone posts four chapters of a story, then post an update that "The conclusion can be found at..."

I've never heard of it being enforced. Now, if you think about it, selling a chapter 20 when all that's here is up to 18 could be seen as that violation and it is selling it if they're paying to see that chapter ahead of time.

That tells me they probably don't have any type of rule here regarding what you're describing on SOL

 

[MelissaBaby]

I'm just curious if they're healthy.

We know there are some level of helpers. At least one boardie let it slip they they are, or used to be on a paid staff. Is that who is approving stories?

Neither L or M have responded to inquires here or any where else that I know of since early August.



So, open question to all reading, have you had any direct contact with either in recent weeks?

The Lit account on X/Twitter made some reposts on September 20.

 

[iwatchus]

I'm just curious if they're healthy.

We know there are some level of helpers. At least one boardie let it slip they they are, or used to be on a paid staff. Is that who is approving stories?

Neither L or M have responded to inquires here or any where else that I know of since early August.

Both Emily and I had short interactions with Laurel in late August. That is the latest anyone has reported. The increased pending problem started somewhere in early September.

The Lit account on X/Twitter made some reposts on September 20.

I don't follow them on social media -- I have sworn off social media, other than AH -- but by reports both bsky and Xitter seems to have dropped off in the second half of September. I take that to mean that things in some way got worse as the month progressed.

That said, today has the most new stories to appear in some time, 60% more than the previous week had averaged. That may be a sign for hope. Let's hope so.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Both Emily and I had short interactions with Laurel in late August. That is the latest anyone has reported.

Yes, Laurel responded to me several times regarding my Pay For Play event. Last time was very early September.

And then there's Post 201.

 

[iwatchus]

And then there's Post 201.

There is still at least one human still in the control room. We have a handful of examples of that.

I had missed LC68's note. That moves the last known contact a few days later (my message from her was 8/29)

 

[Musinginspace]

Seems like it would be easier to just message you here... if they really just wanted to talk...

That's scary