Time limit for holiday theme stories?

[DanDraper]

I just came up with a story idea with a July 4th theme, but by the time I get it published here it would be too long after that holiday.

How long after a holiday do you think is an appropriate time to post a story based around it?

I know you can do it anytime throughout the year, but it feels like there should be a time limit.


...

 

[RejectReality]

I think most of them have to hit before or within a couple of days after the holiday.

I personally feel like Thanksgiving has a little more leeway, because it's so interwoven with the beginning of the Christmas season. Readers seem to engage with those longer, so I assume they'd be willing to open up something new for a longer period of time as well.

 

[NotWise]

I just came up with a story idea with a July 4th theme, but by the time I get it published here it would be too long after that holiday.

How long after a holiday do you think is an appropriate time to post a story based around it?

I know you can do it anytime throughout the year, but it feels like there should be a time limit.


...

There isn't a July 4th themed contest, so there's nothing to stop you from publishing it any time you want.

If you do want to put it into a themed contest then it's a little late for Nude Day unless you can write real fast. You could put it into the Summer Lovin' contest without a problem.

 

[SimonDoom]

Unless there's a contest deadline, I don't think it matters at all. If you want to write an erotic Christmas story in June, do it. In May I published a story that was set in September. I don't think it matters.

I think a good general rule of thumb for publishing stories is the Nike slogan: Just Do It. Err on the side of doing it and don't worry about things.

I've entered a number of contests, and I've also missed deadlines and then published stories after the contest deadlines and even the holidays were finished, and I haven't noticed any difference in the reception of the stories.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

The first half of my Geek Pride story was set in the days leading up to Christmas. I considered saving that for this year’s holiday contest but liked this plot (which wouldn’t have worked for as well for that due to the second half). It was well received with no comments about a Christmas story in May. Publish when you’re ready and don’t worry about the calendar.

 

[jsmiam]

I just came up with a story idea with a July 4th theme, but by the time I get it published here it would be too long after that holiday.

How long after a holiday do you think is an appropriate time to post a story based around it?

I know you can do it anytime throughout the year, but it feels like there should be a time limit.


...

Many many stories in the “summer lovin’” contest have a 4th of July theme. The contest rules (and the timing) even make the contest conducive to stories reminiscing about summer. You’re fine. Write away

 

[KeithD]

I'm getting favorites on Christmas stories--from several years ago. I don't think you have to worry much about posting away from a targeted event. I think it helps with views, but I'm surprised how much action I get from off-season stories.

 

[HeyAll]

I always try to avoid holiday themes for this very reason. When people reader it after the fact, then the context isn't as strong.

It's like watching a Christmas themed movie in July.

 

[RetroFan]

I've seen Christmas stories posted at various times of the year, but for the most part these appear around December. I have had some of my Christmas stories favourited and commented on at other times of the year.

With other holidays and days I haven't bothered about the time of year when it got posted. For example my story 'Cute Celebrity Chloe' takes place at Easter but was posted in November, 'Leanne the Lusty Lifeguard' at New Year's and this went up in April, while 'Grumpy Humphrey's Easy Wife' is set at Halloween but was published in June.

 

[LAHomedog]

For me, the time of the year doesn't really matter. I believe this is all about context. Is the story built upon the foundation of The 4th of July and is it essential to the narrative, or is the 4th of July merely the frame that you have put your story in.

I'm not sure the former would work all year, but I believe the latter would.

 

[SimonDoom]

I always try to avoid holiday themes for this very reason. When people reader it after the fact, then the context isn't as strong.

It's like watching a Christmas themed movie in July.

Any time is a good time to watch Die Hard.

 

[LAHomedog]

Any time is a good time to watch Die Hard.

Yes! I contend it's the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

 

[RejectReality]

I doubt it's a huge difference, but IMO when you don't hit before or shortly after the holiday in question, you're leaving views and additional emotional engagement on the table.

 

[vanmyers86]

A well-written story is a good read at any time of the year! If I discover a writer I like, I will read and enjoy all their stories, regardless of any seasonal or holiday themes.

 

[KeithD]

With all that being said, yes, I do pay attention to the setting of my stories and the season in which I'm submitting them. That's from the writing side, though. As I noted, I get comments on holiday-themed stories throughout the year. So, the readers are reading out of season.

 

[lovecraft68]

A well-written story is a good read at any time of the year! If I discover a writer I like, I will read and enjoy all their stories, regardless of any seasonal or holiday themes.

Good point, but from the reader perspective. As a writer, I think if I have a story that has a winter setting, I'd sit on it until its more seasonally fitting(course I live on the East coast, I suppose somewhere its winter but I go by where I am)

But like someone said a 4th story can be fine all summer long. I mentioned in another thread my muse is bugging me about a Halloween idea. I wouldn't want to release that until around that time.

Some Holidays are so specific they would seem out of place released months removed from it. IMO