Calling all Authors (or wanna be authors)

[Kelli]

As many know, I'm in the midst of starting a free site. Not that this place isn't amazing! But I'm doing it with my (vanilla) fiance, who wants it more mainstream porn. So here's my question. We're trying to figure out how to get content (stories), and I'm curious as to what the authors think on this matter. So please answer the poll, your info would be very helpful.

[Mad Lews]

As many know, I'm in the midst of starting a free site. Not that this place isn't amazing! But I'm doing it with my (vanilla) fiance, who wants it more mainstream porn. So here's my question. We're trying to figure out how to get content (stories), and I'm curious as to what the authors think on this matter. So please answer the poll, your info would be very helpful.

I suspect a bit of lively feedback will entice more than a few writers. Challenges and or contests work too. Not sure how I'd do writing " Mainstream" anything, much less porn but I'd give it a go if the Muse moved me.
Mad Lews

[slave_lisa]

iv found that contest do inpsire some writers. myself, i just like to write, second thing i love to do besides 'play a little dirty'. im sure that if i got the inspiration that i would sumbit stories to free sites. the only fear i have of making my stuff pulbic is that i think someone might steal it. but, most fears are quite irrational as i discover quite often. so, yah, i would submit stories to a free site, and Mad Lews idea of contests it definatly something to try

[slave802120]

As many know, I'm in the midst of starting a free site. Not that this place isn't amazing! But I'm doing it with my (vanilla) fiance, who wants it more mainstream porn. So here's my question. We're trying to figure out how to get content (stories), and I'm curious as to what the authors think on this matter. So please answer the poll, your info would be very helpful.

Hi Kelli,

I ticked the 'something else' button for the poll. It's not like I look for a lot in return aside from the occasional comment or encouraging word, but I do like sites in general that aim to provide quality entertainment (in all things -- not just porn or fiction) and am especially drawn to places where site owners actively take part in developing a 'community' spirit. If I were you I'd probably aim to start small and directly contact authors whose work you enjoy reading yourself. Nurture these and others will find you. Open solicitations work too, and I'd recommend you access & subscribe to a few news groups alt.sex.stories heirarchy (if you aren't already?) although I'd probably be personally wary of soliciting for authors there or anywhere until you've put together at least a basic, quality site so potential authors have a chance to check you out before they make any committment.

Somebody else in this thread also mentioned the worry about having stories 'stolen' and used at pay site. Unfortunately, this happens and I'm aware of a few of mine have been appropriated like this. It used to bother me, but if it's just one or two pieces I tend not to tell my team of litigious lawyers to saddle up and go after them. As far as I'm concerned, I take the view I can write thousands of the same and if people really like mine, they find me and they'll find they can get my stories for free without paying for them. Pragmatism roolz!

kinkabella

[Ruby]

Hi Kelli,

I voted for "something else".

I have plenty of free stories that I don't mind sharing, but I also want to link people back to my books. So the ability to have an author bio, link to author website is critical for me.

To your success,

Ruby

[Bald_J_and_F]

Which reminds us: We have to continue the story of "Thunder and Lightning". The 3rd part of it is long overdue.

[Cordoza]

What would be helpful is site software that means compulsory feedback, either good or bad, the rule being 'No feedback, no membership!' And in case any story readers think 'why should we bother?' then I wonder why authors and illustrators should bother either!'

[chromedome11]

What would be helpful is site software that means compulsory feedback, either good or bad, the rule being 'No feedback, no membership!' And in case any story readers think 'why should we bother?' then I wonder why authors and illustrators should bother either!'

This would be a good idea if feedback is important and necessary for the stories to continue. However, we seem to get lots of stories even with the current system.

If feedback is made mandatory, it has to be made a *lot* easier for people to rate stories. Look at how Yahoo and eBay solicit ratings and comments. It's easy to do, and they don't play a guilt trip on those who don't rate.

Personally, I think most authors just look at the number of downloads as their most important rating.

[Kelli]

Thank you all so much for your information! It is so helpful.

So a good rating system is a must. What else do you think would be helpful? No ads on the stories, pictures around them, etc?

[balorlv]

Thank you all so much for your information! It is so helpful.

So a good rating system is a must. What else do you think would be helpful? No ads on the stories, pictures around them, etc?

Kelli,
I think that if you require feed back then you will loose the meaning of the rating system. My story here has been read by some 50,000 people. I would really hate to have reviews from all of them. Apart from the fact that website requirements as to storage and space would probaly prohibit that.
One idea to get your site started, is to invite writers from here and other sites that you enjoy reading. If the site is catering to mainstream porn then look to place or mutually exchange banners with other sites. I forget what I voted for here but it could very well be cold hard cash. Good luck with your website.
Balor

[RichardStryker]

Hi

I love writing what I do and have so far got about ten of my mini novels (they're all about 25000 - 35000 words each) published on a site that sells them for me. As each one takes a few weeks to plot and write and edit... etc. the few bucks I make each month helps pay a bill or two.

Most of the respected authors around that I know won't just give their books away - I made an exception with "The Inheritance - Ex-Wives 1" which I posted here a few days ago, but I think readers who like a particular author (and I mean one who actually writes a decent length, quality story) should be prepared to dip their hands in their wallets to support that author from time to time. If an author wrtites rubbish then those same readers can show their lack of interest by keeping their hands in their pockets.

As I've written the ten published novels that are all selling well at my publishers - www.a1adultebooks.com - I'll leave it to you to decide if what I write is any good.

Don't forget you can read "The Inheritance" here at bdsmlibrary for free - and whether you support my efforts and those of other quality authors at www.a1adultebooks.com is your decision.

[Strict Susan]

Any of my stories are available to be posted anywhere (you'll find a lot of them on my site and elsewhere on various forums). They mainly have a femdom theme, but if you like them and want to use them feel free. All I ask is that my web site url is included with each story or part of any story.

[Rocky]

The greatest pleasure I get is receiving word that people have enjoyed what I write. That's my payment. That said, it does get a bit depressing when you see something nearing 35,000 downloads of a work, and if you're lucky a dozen reviews.

Come on, folks...even if you don't have anything to say, let us authors know how you feel about our efforts! You don't even have to write a comment, just click the 10 <grin>.

Rocky

[pejanon]

Ah but you can't just click that 10 <grin> You GOT to write somethin' meanigfull like: ! or ? or crap

I think that the number of downloads does not reflect tne number of people who actually read the story. (I haven't read more then quarter of stories I've downloaded - and never will. Either time limits or I just decide something is crap or I'm not interested in, and it goes to join its relatives in the bin.)

So twelve reviews are pretty good. It's mostly by fok who loved/hated it. Those who though it was Ok will just go on ..

have fun

Pej

[Mad Lews]

The greatest pleasure I get is receiving word that people have enjoyed what I write. That's my payment. That said, it does get a bit depressing when you see something nearing 35,000 downloads of a work, and if you're lucky a dozen reviews.

Come on, folks...even if you don't have anything to say, let us authors know how you feel about our efforts! You don't even have to write a comment, just click the 10 <grin>.

Rocky

Rocky,
It could be you left the readers speechless. That could be a good thing, or not
Mad Lews

[masterk]

I really want feedback on the story and how it might be improved.

[georgia_smith_writer]

possible membership benefits after a certain number of stories.

[Paul Alexander]

It is unreasonable for authors to expect to be rewarded with cash; as far as I am concerned, we do this for exposure to the reading public as well as to obtain comment and critical review of our work. Making the reviews meaningful (i.e review by an expert panel) would be most welcome. Feedback by readers is always welcome, of course, but that can be handled very nicely by e-mail, without risking the sort of vindictive review that can do major damage to an authors self-confidence. By all means, keep track of the number of readers, but if each story were reviewed by the same panel, the reviews would be more useful to both authors and readers.
Paul

[Rabbit1]

It is unreasonable for authors to expect to be rewarded with cash; as far as I am concerned, we do this for exposure to the reading public as well as to obtain comment and critical review of our work. Making the reviews meaningful (i.e review by an expert panel) would be most welcome. Feedback by readers is always welcome, of course, but that can be handled very nicely by e-mail, without risking the sort of vindictive review that can do major damage to an authors self-confidence. By all means, keep track of the number of readers, but if each story were reviewed by the same panel, the reviews would be more useful to both authors and readers.
Paul

I agree Paul and some of us just enjoy it. Also if Authors were paid then the Site would have to get the money for such from somewhere such as charging for access to the stories themselves. As for a panel of experts reviewing stories --it would be a matter of opinion just who is an expert, and if they were willing to give their time to do so ---there are more and more stories being published on the site so this would be a time comsuming task to review each story. But it would be great if every author would take time to review one story a day or atleast one every time they logged on.

[wistan]

My humble opinion as a newcomer - feedback is definitely the biggest attraction. It's depressing to see 6,000+ readers of my first story and only two actually rated it. I know from personal experience that most stories I download I get maybe a paragraph in and dump them unread because the subject matter or writing quality just doens't grab me.

I don't see any way you could force people to leave ratings since most downloads are probably by people who aren't members. I tend to download, copy into word and reformat the stories before reading them, by which time I've usually closed the browser - rating a story means going back and re-finding it. Anything I can think of that would compel ratings would also force most visitors away.

Perhaps some sort of incentive could be offered to those who rate a lot of stories...?

[Prpackaged]

I do not mind rating stories. I only wish that this could be done in a more user friendly way. I tend to take the story offline and go through it at a more leasurely rate. If I find that story extremely interesting then I will go out of my way to return to the story and then to rate it. If I find the story a very great turnoff then I would still return to rate it. If the story caught my attention but did not appear to be very good or very bad then I would not return to rate the story. I would suggest that there be some way to email the rating back into the forum so that it would go to the author. I think that I would be more willing to give a rating and an explanation with that. I certainly hate to give a not so good rating without being able to support my position. There are many stories that are well written and well assembled that would rate a comment that I woulld want to make as a completely opinionated comment and not a judgement on the author.

[StillBehindBlueEyes]

I write because I have to. I just finished my first 2 bdsm. I'm trying to get my vanilla stuff published.
I posted a novel free (over 100,000 words) because I'm suffering from rejected query blues and needed positive feed back. I don't think I'd ever be willing to sell my Bdsm because it might come back to bite me.
What I'm wanting from this gift of my life I'm passing on is someone to say, wow that moved me, I cried, I laughed, I read that twice. So I guess I posted for selfish reasons.
I've already had over 5 emails and it's really helped.
I've always said I write so I can talk about my characters.
Thanks

[Ozme52]

For the practice and feedback.

The longterm goal is/should be a hardcover printing. IMO

[badcatholicgirl]

I do write in bdsmlibrary and asstr, I get some satisfaction, and it help me become a better writer, if I want to be lik anne rice
stHell66, my better edited version on asstr stories org

[cheeseburger]

I actually started writing for this site because I couldn't stand all the crap already on it, and I was sure I could do a lot better. Needless to say, I'm a bit wiser now and have a lot more respect for the people that do write these stories (although I still hate a bunch of them )

In that sense I didn't come here expecting any reward; and to be fair I don't actually have the time to really 'polish' any of the things I write either.

All in all I highly doubt anyone posts on this site expecting a monetary reward - and there are thousands of stories posted.

Good luck on your new site!

[Qmoq]

Well, Ozme hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. Ya just gotta keep trying until you think you're good enough... at which point you become depressed that you're not published. Hehe.

Q

[subterfuge]

More feedback and reviews!!!!!!!!!!!

I've posted two stories and got about 4-5 reviews each and a few direct emails. Not a lot of feedback given the longs hours I put into them. But besides me needing more strokes as incentive, I really don't know if anybody enjoyed them very much, so why bother with the endless editing (that my writing requires!).

I've got probably 6 stories in various stages of completion but my motivation is low.

sunburststrat

[subterfuge]

But it would be great if every author would take time to review one story a day or atleast one every time they logged on.

I absolutely agree. Especially after trying to write and wanting/needing feedback, I consider it my duty to rate stories. Plus I want to encourage the authors I enjoy to continue.

sunburst

[ElectricBadger]

A reader response system is a must. Personally, I think I'd actually prefer it without a numerical rating system -- I find myself too caught up in numbers already (is a 7 good? should I be offended? should I be thrilled? I don't know!). Just written feedback is fine, and might inspire more thorough analysis than I often see here, where people seem to rely on numbers to speak for them.

Payment is not neccessary for writers. Yes, writers have every right to make money, and I hope many here are. But like the sample page in the front of nearly every novel, it's good to provide a peek to whet the appetite. If readers want to charge, they can provide a few samples and continue on their own pay site. For this and other things, the ability to link a URL and give a bio is a must.

Non-monetary incentive for authors and reviewers is good. I suggest you permit authors and members who have a certain number of reviews some minor privileges -- allow them to get first look at new stories, or access to archives over a certain age (maybe those stories over 2 months old?). This doesn't cost money, it doesn't penalize non-members (they still get to read free porn!) but those who come regularly (cum regularly? Ahem!) and have seen most of the contemporary content will be inspired to access new updates quickly, or to see the beginnings of good stories.

If you can manage it technically, I'd suggest creating a system that allows authors to create their own "shelves" in the library and manipulate them on their own, forum-style: access to posting, editing, and commentary in their area only. I think this would reduce a lot of the maintenance work (how on earth Rabbit and Tiger keep up with this site I'll never fathom).

I hope this helps, and be sure to give a link to your site when it's up!

[Scorpio'sWill2Power]

Mostly what I write I do so because I enjoy it
and like the idea that just maybe someone who reads
it will think outside the box if only for a little while.

I don't have much that I've posted here story wise
but have done my share of them on other places.

Perhaps someone reading will see the work as a way
of learning a little better who they are on the inside
and what things they've kept so neatly tucked away.

Pretty much the same as what I say on these boards.
I talk the talk but I also walk the walk.
I put a part of myself in every single thing I say be
it a story or simple paragraph within a post.

I could sit around and crank out stories for the sake
of posting something to a site all day long but I opt
not to do that because I want them to mean just
a bit more to those who look at the words and try
to see a bit beyond them.

For me money is not a motivating factor but rather
people are.

Creation being something that begins as personal
but grows toward wanting to inspire things within
the minds of those who read what is said.