The now fully official Author’s Hangout Halloween 2025 competition support thread

[ChloeTzang]

Just submitted my story. Fingers crossed it goes through. "A Good Year for the Roses" - a romantic gardening story set around Halloween. And amazingly for me, submitted waaaaaaaay before the deadline (mostly becaue I wrote it for Crime and Punishment and then moved it because it got hung up in the submission process and got stuck in pending - very cloud has a silver lining.

All I will say about the story beforehand is, my husband read it before I submitted it and now he says he refuses to buy me a woodchipper for Christmas! Wuss!

 

[Aoife_from_Ulster]

Well, this is a first, my story was rejected citing:

We appreciate the effort you put into your work. Using Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Quillbot or similar software (including Microsoft Word grammar check) to check punctuation and spellcheck is fine. If you are allowing a grammar check program to “rewrite” your words or rephrase your text, that may cross the line into AI generated text/stories (since substantial parts of the final draft may not be written by you). We've checked this work several times and it is still coming back as being composed largely of AI-generated prose. Please review your drafts to make sure you are not inadvertently allowing the software to add or change words or phrasing. Please see this FAQ for more information:

While I do admit to using MS Word for spell check and Grammerly for punctuation, I have a volunteer editor who reads each of my stories and makes edit recommendations. I guess it is back to the drawing boards.

 

[dream_yahoozie]

Yay! Mine will be published 10-04.

Be on the lookout for "Night of the Plot Bunnies."

It's a short one, put it together in about 6 hours.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Yay! Mine will be published 10-04.

Be on the lookout for "Night of the Plot Bunnies."

It's a short one, put it together in about 6 hours.

Mine too! Yaaaaaaay

 

[TheRedLantern]

Looks like the list was updated. I count 48 stories.

I'm going to the Halloween Party as Nervous Wreck Barbie.

 

[BryanRichardson]

I'm not 100% happy with it, but better to be imperfectly finished rather than trapped in an infinite editing spiral.

I don’t think anyone is ever 100% happy with what they write.
Congrats on putting your work out there.

 

[BryanRichardson]

My second story is up in Erotic Horror, it is getting way less reads than the Crossdressing one. I’m surprised, I expected Erotic Horror to get more eyes. Maybe as we get closer to Halloween???
I’m about 90% done with my Mind Control story. It’s slow because I’m distracted by the contest.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Well, this is a first, my story was rejected citing:

We appreciate the effort you put into your work. Using Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Quillbot or similar software (including Microsoft Word grammar check) to check punctuation and spellcheck is fine. If you are allowing a grammar check program to “rewrite” your words or rephrase your text, that may cross the line into AI generated text/stories (since substantial parts of the final draft may not be written by you). We've checked this work several times and it is still coming back as being composed largely of AI-generated prose. Please review your drafts to make sure you are not inadvertently allowing the software to add or change words or phrasing. Please see this FAQ for more information:

While I do admit to using MS Word for spell check and Grammerly for punctuation, I have a volunteer editor who reads each of my stories and makes edit recommendations. I guess it is back to the drawing boards.

Sorry to hear

 

[EmilyMiller]

My second story is up in Erotic Horror, it is getting way less reads than the Crossdressing one. I’m surprised, I expected Erotic Horror to get more eyes. Maybe as we get closer to Halloween???
I’m about 90% done with my Mind Control story. It’s slow because I’m distracted by the contest.

Erotic Horror is kinda slow, sort of analogous to SciFi & Fantasy. It’s not a great comp choice TBH (mine is in it too, as it was the most logical category) as the low vote count leaves you open to vote manipulation.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Welcome to Day 2!

Lots more stories posted, and many more to cum!

https://www.literotica.com/stories/contest.php/halloween-2025

 

[BryanRichardson]

Erotic Horror is kinda slow, sort of analogous to SciFi & Fantasy. It’s not a great comp choice TBH (mine is in it too, as it was the most logical category) as the low vote count leaves you open to vote manipulation.

Oh, yeah, look at that. The SciFi/Fantasy story I published on 9/2 in the Fairy Tale comp only has 1.7k views.

Luckily I don’t care if I win competitions or get lots of views.

However I am almost done with the Survivor challenge, I’ve only got about 5 categories left to write in, and I’ve got one of those done already.

 

[FreyaGersemi]

The issue is that recently a more significant minority have got stuck and stayed stuck.

But has anyone heard from any of the site owners/managers? It seems that Literotica has become a ghost ship. For example, on Bluesky, and Twitter, for that matter, the last activity that I can find for Literotica was 12 days ago. Not a posting, a share, a like -- nothing. And that's around when the issues started on this site. I think it's a lot more than just a little story approval glitch.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what's really going on? I would be sad to see Literotica go.

 

[EmilyMiller]

But has anyone heard from any of the site owners/managers? It seems that Literotica has become a ghost ship. For example, on Bluesky, and Twitter, for that matter, the last activity that I can find for Literotica was 12 days ago. Not a posting, a share, a like -- nothing. And that's around when the issues started on this site. I think it's a lot more than just a little story approval glitch.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what's really going on? I would be sad to see Literotica go.

We don’t know, Frey.

The glitch may be an old one that has suddenly got worse, or a new one. A significant number of stories are falling into a submission black hole and staying there. Resubmitting or deleting and resubmitting works for some people (me included). The glitch seems to be impacting authors regardless of them being in good standing with the site (e.g. @silkstockingslover @MelissaBaby @ChloeTzang and recent comp winners like @Actingup and @iwatchus). Many stories are publishing just fine, probably at least 95%, but a significant minority are randomly not.

And no the site hasn’t commented at all as to what is going on.

 

[EmilyMiller]

But has anyone heard from any of the site owners/managers? It seems that Literotica has become a ghost ship. For example, on Bluesky, and Twitter, for that matter, the last activity that I can find for Literotica was 12 days ago. Not a posting, a share, a like -- nothing. And that's around when the issues started on this site. I think it's a lot more than just a little story approval glitch.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what's really going on? I would be sad to see Literotica go.

On a more positive note, nice to see you

 

[iwatchus]

We don’t know, Frey.

The glitch may be an old one that has suddenly got worse, or a new one. A significant number of stories are falling into a submission black hole and staying there. Resubmitting or deleting and resubmitting works for some people (me included). The glitch seems to be impacting authors regardless of them being in good standing with the site (e.g. @silkstockingslover @MelissaBaby @ChloeTzang and recent comp winners like @Actingup and @iwatchus). Many stories are publishing just fine, probably at least 95%, but a significant minority are randomly not.

And no the site hasn’t commented at all as to what is going on.

I suspect the percentages between caught up in pending are much higher than 5%. The number of new stories published in the last 8 days in close to 20% below what it was three+ weeks ago when I was checking the rate when I was writing my HowTo. (The eight day total is easier to tell from the number of pages in the new list on the site home page.) I con't know whether that is close to 20% being caught in pending or something else is going on, but I would suspect it is over 10% of submissions are in pending hell.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I suspect the percentages between caught up in pending are much higher than 5%. The number of new stories published in the last 8 days in close to 20% below what it was three+ weeks ago when I was checking the rate when I was writing my HowTo. (The eight day total is easier to tell from the number of pages in the new list on the site home page.) I con't know whether that is close to 20% being caught in pending or something else is going on, but I would suspect it is over 10% of submissions are in pending hell.

It’s possible. Hard to tell. I’m also seeing people get caught twice in a row, which must be super frustrating. Then if it is 20% getting caught, you have a 4% chance of getting caught back to back.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Look at it this way you got a whole year to write it!

Quite right! I also have a second idea that is even more fun, but I'll keep it up my sleeve for now. Looking forward to reading some spooky stories from everyone.

 

[WittyUserName]

Erotic Horror is kinda slow, sort of analogous to SciFi & Fantasy. It’s not a great comp choice TBH (mine is in it too, as it was the most logical category) as the low vote count leaves you open to vote manipulation.

Hm, mine is probably going to go in SciFi & Fantasy. Should I rethink that choice?

 

[ChloeTzang]

It’s possible. Hard to tell. I’m also seeing people get caught twice in a row, which must be super frustrating. Then if it is 20% getting caught, you have a 4% chance of getting caught back to back.

Yep. I tried PM'ing Laurel and on the odd occassion I do, I usually get something back but this time no response at all - story was pending for I think 7 days before I deleted it. The problem is lack of communication - we simply dont know if it's a site issue with the tech or if something else is going on - and with no response, I think the best thing to do if it stays in pending for more than a week is to delete and resubmit and try again.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Hm, mine is probably going to go in SciFi & Fantasy. Should I rethink that choice?

SciFi & Fantasy get quite a few submissions so how long you stay on the front page for the category is a question mark. For a competition it's a flip the coin issue - do you go for a category that really fits but you know you'll be off the front page really quickly, and there won;t be that many readers or do you opt for a category that has a LOT of readers - but yu might remain on the front page for a few days because there's not that many new stories going thru. Now balance that against how many followers you have who will read your stuff whereever you put it.....and f course how good your story is LOL

It's a bit of a throw the dice thing but I'd say that generally, the best thing to do is put it in the category that suits - but if you're being really competeitive and going for the win, there ARE categories that you want to, as a rule of thumb, because nothing is guaranteed, stay away from.

There ARE some good winning strategies that will increase your chances
- write something REALLY hot, as in, hot sex - lit readers like jerk off stories (I generalize) - a good jerk off story with hot sex will do well. If it actually involes a story and a plot, your chances soar
- a "feel good" category - First Time, Romance, Erotic Coupling, that kind of thing. I dont think I've ever seen a story in Anal win, for example. I might be wrong - silkstockingloiver could probably pull that one off LOL
- write a LONG story (with hot sex of course) and submit it 5 minutes before the deadline (this can be good IF you have a lot of followers who will dive in, read yur story and gove you a 5* regardless just because it's you. it also reduces the time available for your non-followers to read the story (too long...) thus reducing the potential low votes to a minimum (confession: I did try that once just to see if it worked and to my stunned disbelief, it did - Chloe blushes - sorry guys)
- stay away from Loving Wives - you will accumulate one star trolls who will subsequently give you a one star for any story you write, regardless, because you're a faggot loving cuck gook slut, or something (ask how I know LOL)
- there's no doubt a few more but my caffeine level is currently below optimal so my synapses aren't all firing at the moment LOL

 

[EmilyMiller]

Yep. I tried PM'ing Laurel and on the odd occassion I do, I usually get something back but this time no response at all - story was pending for I think 7 days before I deleted it. The problem is lack of communication - we simply dont know if it's a site issue with the tech or if something else is going on - and with no response, I think the best thing to do if it stays in pending for more than a week is to delete and resubmit and try again.

I tried PMs. Haven’t had a reply from her since late August from memory.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Hm, mine is probably going to go in SciFi & Fantasy. Should I rethink that choice?

That’s slow too. Ideally for a comp, you want a mid-traffic category: Exhibitionist / Voyeur, Anal (which scores low in my experience), Mature, Group, or Lesbian Sex. But obv the story has to fit.

 

[WittyUserName]

SciFi & Fantasy get quite a few submissions so how long you stay on the front page for the category is a question mark. For a competition it's a flip the coin issue - do you go for a category that really fits but you know you'll be off the front page really quickly, and there won;t be that many readers or do you opt for a category that has a LOT of readers - but yu might remain on the front page for a few days because there's not that many new stories going thru. Now balance that against how many followers you have who will read your stuff whereever you put it.....and f course how good your story is LOL

It's a bit of a throw the dice thing but I'd say that generally, the best thing to do is put it in the category that suits - but if you're being really competeitive and going for the win, there ARE categories that you want to, as a rule of thumb, because nothing is guaranteed, stay away from.

There ARE some good winning strategies that will increase your chances
- write something REALLY hot, as in, hot sex - lit readers like jerk off stories (I generalize) - a good jerk off story with hot sex will do well. If it actually involes a story and a plot, your chances soar
- a "feel good" category - First Time, Romance, Erotic Coupling, that kind of thing. I dont think I've ever seen a story in Anal win, for example. I might be wrong - silkstockingloiver could probably pull that one off LOL
- write a LONG story (with hot sex of course) and submit it 5 minutes before the deadline (this can be good IF you have a lot of followers who will dive in, read yur story and gove you a 5* regardless just because it's you. it also reduces the time available for your non-followers to read the story (too long...) thus reducing the potential low votes to a minimum (confession: I did try that once just to see if it worked and to my stunned disbelief, it did - Chloe blushes - sorry guys)
- stay away from Loving Wives - you will accumulate one star trolls who will subsequently give you a one star for any story you write, regardless, because you're a faggot loving cuck gook slut, or something (ask how I know LOL)
- there's no doubt a few more but my caffeine level is currently below optimal so my synapses aren't all firing at the moment LOL

I don't need to win, nor do I expect to. I did place third when I entered the 2024 Summer Lovin' contest. That was a Romance story.

This one, well, it took quite a bit of time to get to sex, and it was more romantic. The story COULD fit in Romance, but it does contain ghosts, a paranormal element. That makes me think Sci-Fi & Fantasy is best. I don't want to piss people off who hate any story that doesn't feel 'real enough.'

 

[WittyUserName]

That’s slow too. Ideally for a comp, you want a mid-traffic category: Exhibitionist / Voyeur, Anal (which scores low in my experience), Mature, Group, or Lesbian Sex. But obv the story has to fit.

Anal, Mature, Group, or Lesbian 100% do not fit. I mean, there are ghosts, maybe they watched the action? That way, Exhibitionist/Voyeur would fit.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I dont think I've ever seen a story in Anal win, for example.

Yeah - it has high views, but low ratings. No idea why. Then so much around here is .

The non-Literotica comp I came second in was with an Anal story. Here, the same story got a lowly 4.68️ and didn’t even challenge in the Winter Holiday’s comp.

I’ve got a new Winter Holiday’s story written which would naturally be in Anal, but I’m thinking twice about the category.

TBH, it seems that a Gay Male story places more often than not. I know nothing much about the category, but perhaps the regular trolls are less prevalent.