Submission wait time

daddyfatsack

Virgin
Joined
Nov 28, 2013
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I'm new to this site and submitted my first story four or five days ago. It's status is still "pending". What is the usual wait time between submission of a story and publication?
 
I'm in the same boat. Submitted a story three days ago, but I recall a disclaimer saying it may take anywhere between 3-7 days, pending website/submission volume.
 
Guess there's no point getting concerned if it hasn't reached the 7 day mark. Thanks for the reply.
 
There have been some reports it's getting better ( at least for established authors ) but the average recently has been 6-7 days.

Whatever you do, don't click the "pending" link and save any changes. That sends it to the back of the queue and you have to start the wait all over again.
 
waiting is

My experience: I submitted my first pieces here, a multi-part series, just a few months ago. I was very impatient to see my immortal prose on display. I anxiously waited 10+ days. Alas, the first of the series were rejected. I submitted another series, and while awaiting their eventual approval, I rewrote and considerably improved the original series. I've have a number of other pieces approved since then. The submission process seems emotionally easier each time.

My lessons: DON'T be impatient, or anxious, or despondent. DON'T think that a couple days delay in the approval process is the end of the world. DON'T be in too big a rush to get a piece posted. Take time to get it right. Write the piece, let it sit around for a week, re-read and re-write it, and THEN submit it. Just expect that a one-to-two-week pipeline is normal.
 
Good advice Hypoxia. Being my first story I was keen to share with others, but clearly patience is the key :)
 
I've got a multipart story that I've been submitting one at a time since October 1. The delay so far has ranged from 4 days to 9 days. I think some of my readers are more anxious about it than I am.
 
I've got a multipart story that I've been submitting one at a time since October 1. The delay so far has ranged from 4 days to 9 days. I think some of my readers are more anxious about it than I am.

Some authors keep their readers hanging for years for the next installment here, so nine days would be a piece of cake for the readers. It's a good sign if they're begging for the next installment, though.
 
Usual wait times for me have been 5-7 days. It also depends on how many fellow authors submit their stories at the same time. Right now the Winter Holidays contest stories are being submitted and are getting attention; ergo, other stories might take 7 days.
 
Usual wait times for me have been 5-7 days. It also depends on how many fellow authors submit their stories at the same time. Right now the Winter Holidays contest stories are being submitted and are getting attention; ergo, other stories might take 7 days.

Laurel (the site editor) recently posted that having a contest going doesn't delay posting to the regular story file any--but my experience over several years doesn't agree with that.
 
Crystal

How do you get a story posted? I submitted chapter one of my story 10 days ago and chn't find any mention of it anywhere. I'm beginning to think my chapter one disappeared deep into the bowles of computerland, never to be seen or heard of again.
 
How do you get a story posted? I submitted chapter one of my story 10 days ago and chn't find any mention of it anywhere. I'm beginning to think my chapter one disappeared deep into the bowles of computerland, never to be seen or heard of again.

You're right, no story of yours has posted yet. 10 days is longer than I've seen anyone cite as a delay. No reason not to ask Laurel, the site editor (by PM--Private Message--upper right on this page). No one else is going to be able to answer you on the status of it.
 
A couple of points on submissions

How do you get a story posted? I submitted chapter one of my story 10 days ago and chn't find any mention of it anywhere. I'm beginning to think my chapter one disappeared deep into the bowles of computerland, never to be seen or heard of again.

A couple of points: you have a submissions viewing page which will tell you the status of your submission. If it says "pending", then it's still in the hopper to be vetted. DO NOT CLICK ON THAT "PENDING" TAB OR YOU GO BACK TO THE BACK OF THE LINE!!!

i suspect that is what is causing your delay.

The other point is that if you try to submit both a .doc file and plain text on the same submission form, you might lose both submissions.
 
Just submitted my first story here as well. Took a solid week to get it posted. All is well. Your submission will get approval.
 
Just submitted my first story here as well. Took a solid week to get it posted. All is well. Your submission will get approval.

The first story that I submitted to a (paper) publisher was accepted within about five days. The second took about two months. Just because these days e is instant, it doesn’t mean that e editors/publishers are just sitting there waiting for your literary gem to drop into their inbox. Please … cut Laurel and Co some slack. If they get around to looking at your stuff in under two weeks, offer up a loud cheer.
 
How do you get a story posted? I submitted chapter one of my story 10 days ago and chn't find any mention of it anywhere. I'm beginning to think my chapter one disappeared deep into the bowles of computerland, never to be seen or heard of again.

Have you checked your page? It could have been rejected. If it is you do not get notified you have to keep checking your page.
 
I've got a multipart story that I've been submitting one at a time since October 1. The delay so far has ranged from 4 days to 9 days. I think some of my readers are more anxious about it than I am.

Trust me they want it yesterday:D

But I'm sure most have been around long enough to know it takes some time and figure asking you about it through feedback may encourage you to keep going.

I don;t think I would have finished my long series if I tried to write it complete. I think the feedback for each installment helped me keep going.

Personally I don;t get too bent if a series goes unfinished because you never know the reason. Real life happens. Sadly we have seen incidents of authors passing away here. End of the day we're people not just erotica writers and sometimes readers seem to forget that.
 
If memory serves, Laurel is the only person who reviews and accepts(or not) submitted stories. One person fir a site with thousands of authors. Best advice like said; submit it and dont do shit besides wait and hope for story approved on your page. This site is a waiting game. It's one of the best sites and easiest to use. If there was ever a test of ones patience...

If you think this is bad try asstr.org, I joined that site a year or so ago and never got my registration accepted. I gave up on the site. And that site is even more archiac than this one, youll crawl back to lit.
 
Personally I don;t get too bent if a series goes unfinished because you never know the reason. Real life happens. Sadly we have seen incidents of authors passing away here. End of the day we're people not just erotica writers and sometimes readers seem to forget that.

Basic reasons for non-completion: death, dilemma, delay, dissatisfaction, or disinterest.

I have various series here in assorted states of incompleteness.

* One of those will definitely have more tales woven into the thread, with maybe a compendium.
* One of them, allegedly completed, needs a completely rewritten ending 'cause this one sucks.
* A couple series are just sitting there, awaiting inspiration, i.e. what the fuck do I do next?

* One that was supposed to begin a string of related-theme pieces will probably just languish on its own because I'm not really interested any more in expending the effort.
* Other series must wait until I *am* interested in writing them.
* Other pieces will wait until I learn how to write them.
* And everything is incomplete until I have time to finish.

That said, I've followed a few series that are frustratingly incomplete. The still-living author just leaves us hanging for a few years. Severe writer's block? Disinterest? Simple neglect? Sadism?
 
Basic reasons for non-completion: death, dilemma, delay, dissatisfaction, or disinterest.

I have various series here in assorted states of incompleteness.

* One of those will definitely have more tales woven into the thread, with maybe a compendium.
* One of them, allegedly completed, needs a completely rewritten ending 'cause this one sucks.
* A couple series are just sitting there, awaiting inspiration, i.e. what the fuck do I do next?

* One that was supposed to begin a string of related-theme pieces will probably just languish on its own because I'm not really interested any more in expending the effort.
* Other series must wait until I *am* interested in writing them.
* Other pieces will wait until I learn how to write them.
* And everything is incomplete until I have time to finish.

That said, I've followed a few series that are frustratingly incomplete. The still-living author just leaves us hanging for a few years. Severe writer's block? Disinterest? Simple neglect? Sadism?

I'll add the one reason that does tick me off and that is the posting of the first 4 or so chapters here to hook a reader then Oh, if you want the conclusion its available on amazon

Don;t get me wrong, I'm not above paying a couple of bucks to support an author, but doing it that way is kind of sleazy. You want to have some for sale stuff and put a link somewhere, I'll check you out and support the cause, but what you decide to put here for free, keep it free.

As to your issues, seeing you have many unfinished projects it seems like you may be the impulsive type who is all hot the start and loses interest easily. Perhaps you should stick to one shots
 
As to your issues, seeing you have many unfinished projects it seems like you may be the impulsive type who is all hot the start and loses interest easily. Perhaps you should stick to one shots

One of my favorite lines: Have you finished any good books lately? :D

So far, I find one-shots more difficult than series. Of course, some of those series could be combined into novellas. But other stories just seem to demand follow-ups. And other series have definite ends in mind -- I'm just not sure yet how to reach those finales. So I don't think of these as "unfinished projects" so much as "works in progress".

I also write songs. (Not poetry -- poets in USA get no respect, nor much pay. Much better to be a songwriter.) Some songs and cycles take months or years to finish. Some almost write themselves overnight. Sometimes I can squeeze out more, sometimes not. Whatever.
 
My first stories were published today, just over seven days after the initial submission. I edited and re-submitted them a few days in, so technically it was only a five day wait. That is fantastic turnaround if you ask me. I wouldn't want to be responsible for it, it looks like there are 20 new stories every day!
 
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