Confusion about feedback. What do you do?

[Global Carol]

Is there a standard for feedback? Or some standard settings?

When my first story was published two years ago I don’t think there was any feedback.

But, my second story was published this week and I’ve had about a dozen people send me Feedback that has arrived at my personal email address (via Literotica Feedback). Flattered to hear from readers I’ve written back to them via my email address to say thanks, but I realize also informing them of how to reach me directly.

It wasn’t until I thought about this later that I considered the downside, things like getting on spam lists or perhaps just getting too much email from an overly affectionate reader, or worse.

What do other writers do? Do most of you permit your email address to be shown? What do you do when you get feedback? Do you respond directly from your own email? Do you respond to every piece? Or do you only accept Private Messages?

I know there’s no one absolute, but I just want to feel protected and don’t know what I should be doing.

One other thing: I’m still pretty confused among the various parts of Literotica: The Forum posting area, the Volunteer Editor section, the Member Profile, et al. It seems that my profile is different depending on which area of the site I visit.

I assume I’m the only one with this confusion, but if I could get some pointers and recommendations on how to make sense of it, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Carol

 

[minsue]

Welcome!

I have an e-mail address solely for Lit. It gets the least amount of spam of any of my addresses, though, so apparently my caution was unnecessary.

There are some differences among the various profiles, but there is also some overlap. I'm not sure where the line falls. Hopefully someone here is.

There is also a "Newbie" thread here if you find that your questions aren't answered to your satisfaction.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I also have a "Lit only" email address and so do most people. You can also get a literotica.org address too if you sign up for it. That is how I respond. If it's a Lit author from the boards, I will write them a Person Message (PM). I do caution you about answering personal questions from readers though. I don't know what kind of stories you write, and most of my reader mail has been great and the people nice, but a couple of them creeped me out after I responded to their email with something personal about myself. Now I just thank them. Welcome to the AH!

 

[Whisky7up]

Is there a standard for feedback? Or some standard settings?

When my first story was published two years ago I don’t think there was any feedback.

But, my second story was published this week and I’ve had about a dozen people send me Feedback that has arrived at my personal email address (via Literotica Feedback). Flattered to hear from readers I’ve written back to them via my email address to say thanks, but I realize also informing them of how to reach me directly.

It wasn’t until I thought about this later that I considered the downside, things like getting on spam lists or perhaps just getting too much email from an overly affectionate reader, or worse.

I think the membership has grown considerably in the last couple of years, so more feedback is likely. Also, there is now the feedback portal. This encourages feedback too, which in turn may have encouraged an increase in 'personal' feedback.
Responding does give your email address, but for you to respond they have given theirs first.
It's polite to acknowledge, so I do.
Anything unwanted is easy enough to delete and ignore. It's not like someone knows where you live.

 

[cantdog]

I responded to them all if their feedback included an address to respond to. After an initial period of uncertainty, that is. I act as I would like to have been treated if it were me writing a piece of fan mail.

I usually include some piece of trivial information which might enhance the story for them. You know, "This was based on my experiences in the fire service," "I wrote this because of an experience I had," "I also think the man acted rashly, and that's why I had it turn and bite him like it did," that sort of thing.

So far, all the really creepoid ones have left no address to respond to. But I have a few throwaway addresses, yahoo and hotmail and whatnot, that I could write to them from.

I don't feel especially threatened by the readers, I guess. But I'm a fifty-one-year-old man. It might be different for other people, I can see that. You can, of course, when you submit the story or at any time afterward, disallow the public comment option, or even the option to vote on a given story. Feedback has to be stopped in your profile. I would never take that step, but you have to make the choice.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I've had my yahoo mail address posted since I joined Lit 3 years ago, and I don't think I've ever gotten any spam because of it.

I respond to all feedback, and have never had a problem with that either. For a bunch of perverts, the people here are extremely nice and considerate.

---dr.M.

 

[SlickTony]

I usually try to write something nice back to people who write in--after all, they're usually complimentary. So far, no repercussions.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I usually try to write something nice back to people who write in--after all, they're usually complimentary. So far, no repercussions.

Am I the only one that gets freaks and bunny boilers?

 

[cantdog]

Oh, no, I got a couple creepy ones. But not threatening, just icky, you know? I responded to an icky one, even, but he never got back to me. I was friendly and told him how I came to write what I did, and he just never reappeared. The ones that hate my perverted ass for using condoms or for not using them or whatever it is never give me an address to write to, so I didn't have to worry how to respond. But some of them thought me lower than whale shit, and said so.

 

[SlickTony]

Probably not. I'm not saying I've never gotten a bad review. "Quid Pro Quo" got me my first pan, and occasionally I've gotten a few screeds from people who read my riff on Genesis 19 and kind of missed the point.

 

[cantdog]

Not a Lot you can do about that, I guess.

 

[English Lady]

I try and respond to all feedback with something. Some of the feedback i get is a litle erm "to the point" and so i tend to just send a thank you and hear nothing more after that.

I think a reply is polite and I always wan to say Thanks if I recieve a compliment. I've not had much in he way of negaive feedback as yet so I don't know how I respond to that *L*

 

[Weird Harold]

Is there a standard for feedback? Or some standard settings?

When my first story was published two years ago I don’t think there was any feedback.

Feedback was available two years ago, but changes in the last year or so have made it much easier for the readers to use, so there's generally a bit more of it.

But, my second story was published this week and I’ve had about a dozen people send me Feedback that has arrived at my personal email address (via Literotica Feedback). Flattered to hear from readers I’ve written back to them via my email address to say thanks, but I realize also informing them of how to reach me directly.

I'm not sure about the feedback e-mail from the feedback portal, but the occassional e-mails I get via my member's profile page has a link in it to reply through Lit's anonymous mailer (i.e. the same way they sent me the e-mail)

It wasn’t until I thought about this later that I considered the downside, things like getting on spam lists or perhaps just getting too much email from an overly affectionate reader, or worse.

It depends on who sent the e-mail/feedback and/or what it contains, whether I respond throughthe anonnymous mailer or through one of my own e-mail accounts.

Every e-mail is different and requires a different response. I don't have any hard and fast rules about replying to them. I'll answer reasonable questions and/or try to clarify any confusion, but I don't often carry on long e-meail exchanges; I do't feel any need to reply to anything unless I've got something relevant to say.

One other thing: I’m still pretty confused among the various parts of Literotica: The Forum posting area, the Volunteer Editor section, the Member Profile, et al. It seems that my profile is different depending on which area of the site I visit.

I assume I’m the only one with this confusion, but if I could get some pointers and recommendations on how to make sense of it, I’d really appreciate it.

Nope, you're not the only one with this kind of confusion. There are dozens of similar questions about how Lit and.or the vBultein software works in the How To Forum.

Most of the differences in the various profiles are formatting differences -- the information is mostly stored in the same place (the Forum's vBuletin member database) with added information that applies only to the specific profile being shown added to the basic vBulletin database format.

The basic information -- like e-mail addresses and home page -- can be changed in any profile and have the change effect all profiles.

The features/information that are specific to each profile have to be changed through the applicable profile.

Some changes to the site member's profile sometimes take a while to show up there -- the image in particular -- because the changes have to be approved and the page "regenerated." I haven't checked the Volunteer editors' profiles, but I presume they're similar to the site members' profiles in that respect. (programmers tend to do things the same way in similar situations.)

 

[Green_Gem]

I have a separate email address in my pen name to which all Literotica feedback is directed and I have very little spam that comes in there.

As for replying to feedback, I always do, and like Weird Harold said, I don't use a standard format. Some feedbacks require specific or longer responses. I welcome feedback and since people have taken the time out to drop me a note, I think it's only polite to reply. I've also found this helps to develop a readership as I get 'regulars' dropping me a line after each story is published. I can honestly say, I've had no stalkers or harassers at all. On the contrary, I've found there are some fantastic and very decent people out there from ALL walks of life who read our stories.

Occasionally there might be a once off request for a nude picture or something like that which I simply ignore and I never hear a word again. My guess is that there are bound to be the odd ones who take a chance with with female authors but nothing to worry about. Lol, I've also had the odd marriage proposal, but again, nothing to be concerned about.

Green_Gem

 

[SlickTony]

Not a Lot you can do about that, I guess.

Heh!

 

[maggot420]

I have a separate email address in my pen name to which all Literotica feedback is directed and I have very little spam that comes in there.

As for replying to feedback, I always do, and like Weird Harold said, I don't use a standard format. Some feedbacks require specific or longer responses. I welcome feedback and since people have taken the time out to drop me a note, I think it's only polite to reply. I've also found this helps to develop a readership as I get 'regulars' dropping me a line after each story is published. I can honestly say, I've had no stalkers or harassers at all. On the contrary, I've found there are some fantastic and very decent people out there from ALL walks of life who read our stories.

Occasionally there might be a once off request for a nude picture or something like that which I simply ignore and I never hear a word again. My guess is that there are bound to be the odd ones who take a chance with with female authors but nothing to worry about. Lol, I've also had the odd marriage proposal, but again, nothing to be concerned about.

Green_Gem

Will you marry me?

 

[woodnymph_O]

was anyone else suprised

by how nice their feedback really was on erotic fiction. Maybe it's a prejudice i had, but i was surprised when i got emails saying "thank you so much for writing that, i spent the evening reliving a memory it stirred", and other such sweet things.
I'm new to lit and have as yet not replied to feedback with my personal email, but after reading this i think i will set up one exclusively for it.
hugs
Nymphy

 

[LadyJeanne]

Re: was anyone else suprised

by how nice their feedback really was on erotic fiction. Maybe it's a prejudice i had, but i was surprised when i got emails saying "thank you so much for writing that, i spent the evening reliving a memory it stirred", and other such sweet things.
I'm new to lit and have as yet not replied to feedback with my personal email, but after reading this i think i will set up one exclusively for it.
hugs
Nymphy

I was also surprised at how touching some of the feedback has been. I was expecting more of the "I wanna do you" kind of comments (although those can be fun to get too!).

 

[rikaaim]

Am I the only one that gets freaks and bunny boilers?

At this point I think the answer is yes. I haven't had enough posted to get those people, and don't you dare send them my way!

So, any nude pics?

That is a standard, right?

You have to ask for nude pics.

At least that's what I've gatherd. In my first two days at Lit I had about fifteen requests to see my breasts, to which I had to reply that I was male, and then no one wanted to see my breats, but my AV shows them anyway, or lack of them.

So, to answer the question proposed from the thread topic, cheese.

 

[minsue]

Am I the only one that gets freaks and bunny boilers?

Yes, we send them all specifically to your stories. Were we not supposed to do that?

 

[Penelope Street]

.

Carol,

I don't believe there is an etiquette that you need feel obliged to abide by. How you handle feedback is your business. Since a feedback provider can opt to not include an e-mail address, I figure most that bother to do so warrant at least a 'thank you.' I've an e-mail account used only for feedback responses. It's never been spammed. If it ever is, I'll just make a new one.

I use a semi-standard reply, something like, "Thanks for taking the time to drop me a note. I'm glad you enjoyed the story." If the reader makes some comment or asks what I believe to be a reasonable question about the story, I may include an answer or additional comment, but I try and keep it short. The more explicit or probing the feedback, the more likely I am to ignore it altogether. I really can't be sure to whom it is I am writing and there's no way for me to tell if the given e-mail is valid or a practical joke.

I was worried at first I might attract hordes of weirdoes, but thusfar that has not been the case at all. The vast majority of strangers are, after all, good people. There are a few readers I've come to correspond with beyond discussing one story. I don't mind sharing little anecdotes with them, but I naturally draw a hard line at pictures or personal information. A few have pushed that line, but so far each one has taken 'no' for an answer without any apparent bitterness.

You are hardly the only one confused about forums, but don't worry about it. If you err, someone will most likely point it out in a polite fashion and you can say 'thanks.' No big deal.

Naturally, it will always be your decision what to do with your feedback. Do what you're comfortable with. If you are in the least bit nervous about replying, then don't. Should you make that choice, you might consider putting a little blurb on your bio page to the effect that you appreciate comments but do not feel comfortable replying via e-mail. Whatever you choose, I hope you feel welcome here and I wish you the best.

Take Care,
Penny

 

[Global Carol]

My sincere appreciation

Thank you all for the comforting and informative feedback. After I posted my question here I discovered a “newbie” thread and thought I may have made a faux pas by not posting there. Yet, the positive, supportive, and nurturing feedback was truly helpful.

I have received some “if you were only here, baby…” and “I’d be glad to just show you…” responses, but I’ve also heard from some people who simply thanked me for the tale or said that they enjoyed reading it.

I really appreciate all of you taking the time to share your own experiences; it’s been very helpful. Once again, thanks.

Carol

 

[Bridget69]

I've only received a couple of feedbacks through email, the rest were left via the public comments section, so I don't feel the need to set up a separate account. I think a simple "thank you" is a courteous enough reply and you shouldn't have to feel obligated to pursue correspondence any further unless the person is seeking relevant information about your work.