E-Mail Notification

[AsylumSeeker]

I've had a few requests for e-mail notification when I have a new story accepted. I just started doing this for the one who requested it and may consider putting out an offer to add more. Do any other writers do this? In the request I received I got the sense that this is a common practice.

Does anyone else do this, or have you heard of it being done? Is it an accepted practice?

 

[damppanties]

Heard of it being done. Don't do it myself.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Thanks

This thread is aleady getting lost. You're probably tbe only one to respond. Thanks for weighing in.

 

[_Lynn_]

I've had a few requests for e-mail notification when I have a new story accepted. I just started doing this for the one who requested it and may consider putting out an offer to add more. Do any other writers do this? In the request I received I got the sense that this is a common practice.

Does anyone else do this, or have you heard of it being done? Is it an accepted practice?

I've done it for a few but I have no idea if it's common or an accepted practice.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I've done it for a few but I have no idea if it's common or an accepted practice.

Thanks, appreciate the input.

 

[Darkniciad]

I've only done it once, at the end of Danica I told everyone that it would be a while before I started Book II, and said to contact me to be put on a mailing list that would announce when Sisters of the Mists launched. I sent two emails, one announcing that I was on the verge, with a preview ( which I'd received several requests for ) and a second when the first chapter posted.

I tend to point people to my website instead, which lists everything and announces when anything I write is coming close or has gone live anywhere I post.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Wondering...

Would it seem inappropriate to have such a mailing list? I don't see how anyone could object, but this is the reason for the post, just asking the questions.

 

[Darkniciad]

Would it seem inappropriate to have such a mailing list? I don't see how anyone could object, but this is the reason for the post, just asking the questions.

I don't see why anyone would find it inappropriate. If the readers ask for the alert, then nobody should object to you providing that alert. I wouldn't put just anybody that emails you on the list, but only those who request the alerts. You might add an end note to your stories ( this is what I did for the transition between Danica and SOTM ) telling people to contact you if they want to be on a mailing list.

 

[sr71plt]

I've received requests for this, but I didn't really have the time to be sending out notifications every couple of days to a list.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I don't see why anyone would find it inappropriate. If the readers ask for the alert, then nobody should object to you providing that alert. I wouldn't put just anybody that emails you on the list, but only those who request the alerts. You might add an end note to your stories ( this is what I did for the transition between Danica and SOTM ) telling people to contact you if they want to be on a mailing list.

Good idea, Dark. Yeah, my concern is that an ex might submit the email address of someone they know whp doesn't want it, merely to be vindictive. One must be very careul these days.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I've received requests for this, but I didn't really have the time to be sending out notifications every couple of days to a list.

Wow, to be sending out email notifictions every couple of days means you must be very prolific. I'm jealous. I wish I had the time to get submissions accepted every couple of days!

 

[_Lynn_]

Wow, to be sending out email notifictions every couple of days means you must be very prolific. I'm jealous. I wish I had the time to get submissions accepted every couple of days!

That's what I was thinking too.
Although I have the time, it's more the skill I lack.

 

[Darkniciad]

Good idea, Dark. Yeah, my concern is that an ex might submit the email address of someone they know whp doesn't want it, merely to be vindictive. One must be very careul these days.

In my case, I recognized nearly every email addy from previous feedback conversations, so that wasn't really an issue.

I did keep the emails fairly sterile, and added something noting that if they received the email in error, they should reply with a removal request and ignore the link ( even though it was more or less a one time alert arranged because I knew there would be a long delay between the end of Book I and the start of Book II )

 

[AsylumSeeker]

In my case, I recognized nearly every email addy from previous feedback conversations, so that wasn't really an issue.

I did keep the emails fairly sterile, and added something noting that if they received the email in error, they should reply with a removal request and ignore the link ( even though it was more or less a one time alert arranged because I knew there would be a long delay between the end of Book I and the start of Book II )

That's my concern as well. A well-meaning intention could be used as a way for an ex to spam his girlfriend or wife, making us both victims. So I think I'll leave it alone unless it is requested in a PM or feedback message (hint, ya'll who may care).

Thanks, all, for your input.

 

[jomar]

I'll let you know my thoughts on this if I ever develop a following that gives a hoot.

 

[angela146]

I've received a couple of requests for email notes when I post new stories. I honor them with pleasure.

To me, that is one of the highest complements we can receive.

It basically means that the reader doesn't want to miss the opportunity to see one of your stories immediately after it is posted.

Since most Lit writers only post a couple of stories a month (at most) an avid fan would have to check every day and be disappointed 13 days out of every 14 (on average).

I wish we could get an RSS feed for each author we liked on Lit, similar to what we have on blogs.

 

[sr71plt]

Wow, to be sending out email notifictions every couple of days means you must be very prolific. I'm jealous. I wish I had the time to get submissions accepted every couple of days!

Well . . . yes, I do have more than 200 stories posted on Lit in the last year. Is that unusual? And I think e-mailing to a list every two days would get a little onerous. I could see where it might be a good idea if you only had seventeen or eighteen stories in five years--if anyone is interested enough in your stories to ask for e-mail notification, I could see why they might not want to check every day for four months between postings.

 

[Darkniciad]

Well . . . yes, I do have more than 200 stories posted on Lit in the last year. Is that unusual? And I think e-mailing to a list every two days would get a little onerous. I could see where it might be a good idea if you only had seventeen or eighteen stories in five years--if anyone is interested enough in your stories to ask for e-mail notification, I could see why they might not want to check every day for four months between postings.

*sigh* I've pretty much kept this at arm's length and stayed silent. I can even see the reasoning behind the way you post to a point considering some of the rapidfire snaps you took in early AH posts - but this has gone entirely too far.

This post positively drips with "You peasants aren't worth a nanosecond of my time, but I shall do you the honor of gracing you with my wisdom as an act of selfless charity" You can almost hear it in Thurston Howell's voice.

I see no reason for AS to have received such an acidic response to such a congenial comment, except as "bait" for other posters. I took the bait this time, but you can rest assured it will be the last time. I've said my bit, and I won't be bothering to read anything further from you to give me any reason to respond in any manner. Point for you in your war to prove the "evil" of the AH, I suppose. Chalk it up and have a fine glass of brandy in celebration.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm sorry if you took what I posted as condescending, Dark. I apologize for offending you. My first posting was a straightforward note that I too have been asked to be a notification service for when my stories post and that this can become onerous if you post often--which I think is a legitimate factor to consider before starting to provide such a service.

Fact is I thought AyslumSeeker was jabbing at me with the "you must be prolific" comment, as he certainly could have found that out himself just by clicking on my name--not to mention the "you must not be doing anything with your life" comment.

Perhaps you pick and chose who you think is being sarcastic? Once again, I don't think I took the first swipe by any means.

Are there demerits for posting stories on Lit. (I mean other than trolling the stories of anyone the "regulars" on the forum don't want to share the forum with)?

My last comment here on this. If there's now to be piling on, you all will be playing that game by yourselves.

 

[DeeZire]

Does anyone else do this, or have you heard of it being done? Is it an accepted practice?

I tried something similar - wrote a satire inspired by an infamous thread here at LIT, and then PM'd most of the respondents to that thread, thinking they might enjoy the story. It was probably in poor taste (the story - and the PM's) but it worked. Many read it and gave me the thumbs up. But I don't think I'll do that again. One can only use poor taste so often before one is viewed as having poor taste, and even though I do have poor taste, I would hate for everyone to know that.

 

[ms.read]

Well . . . yes, I do have more than 200 stories posted on Lit in the last year. Is that unusual? And I think e-mailing to a list every two days would get a little onerous. I could see where it might be a good idea if you only had seventeen or eighteen stories in five years--if anyone is interested enough in your stories to ask for e-mail notification, I could see why they might not want to check every day for four months between postings.

Over 200 stories?! Where can I start reading???

*does a little dance around room

 

[Carnevil9]

I think there would be an easy way to implement this idea. Just create a thread somewhere on the Discussion Board (not sure which forum one would use) where you announce your new stories as they are posted. Then invite your fans to "subscribe" to the thread. That way, the BBS software will notify them whenever you update your thread.

If your fans want to enjoy your work that eagerly, I don't see anything wrong with it. Good for them, and good for you.......Carney.