Attention all Readers...

[LeilaniOtter]

I just heard from an author here, a very famous one, who has not felt like writing anything lately, because she's not getting feedback at all. She's got thousands of readers and, you know, she rarely gets any comments, or likes, or reviews, or anything.

I'd like to take the Readers aside for a moment, and make something clear to all of you.

You are not just our readers. ? You are our fans, our commentators, our reviewers.

Do authors a real solid. If you like something, give it a heart. If you read something interesting or confusing, or sensational, leave a comment. And if you really are a gifted writer yourself, and you've read a certain book, offer a review.

We're here for you. Please, try to be here for us too. ?

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

I just heard from an author here, a very famous one, who has not felt like writing anything lately, because she's not getting feedback at all. She's got thousands of readers and, you know, she rarely gets any comments, or likes, or reviews, or anything.

I'd like to take the Readers aside for a moment, and make something clear to all of you.

You are not just our readers. ? You are our fans, our commentators, our reviewers.

Do authors a real solid. If you like something, give it a heart. If you read something interesting or confusing, or sensational, leave a comment. And if you really are a gifted writer yourself, and you've read a certain book, offer a review.

We're here for you. Please, try to be here for us too. ?

I strongly meowgree~.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I strongly meowgree~.

gods, that's too adorable. lol *hugs*

 

[Racosharko]

heard from an author here,

Link them.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Link them.

Okay.

Rellawing's Profile | Scribble Hub

www.scribblehub.com

 

[Eldoria]

I don't know why... reader traffic has been getting sluggish lately. Is the number of readers on SH starting to decline? Or is it because competition is getting fiercer, considering the many new novels being released every day.

It seems that SH's readership is becoming more segmented. Generally, it's dominated by readers of the Genben and GL genres.

Novels outside of those genres don't seem to get enough attention, even if they're written by well-known authors. I've observed that. Having a small readership doesn't mean it's bad, but rather a lack of market interest.

My novel, on the surface, has tens of thousands of views, but if you look closely, the view of chapters is around 40%. Effective readers are probably even fewer.

Writing for me isn't about the market, but about hobby and self-actualization.

I'm not a gender bender writer, my novels tend to be niche (I write philosophical and ideological dark fantasy - heavyweight stories). So I won't complain about the number of readers.

However, I also realize that every writer may have different motivations, some write for hobbies/self-actualization, some write for readers. Ultimately, I only wish the best for you and other writers. Best regards.

 

[LightHikari]

Most readers are silent readers, and that's just what we have to accept. I think a lot of writers want it both ways as well. More comments of people being nice without the negative feedback. If you open Pandora's box, expect that Pandora might make a negative comment. Recognize what you are writing for. If you are writing for reader attention, then there are ways to get readers to comment more. You can even ask for comments in author notes.

 

[Hoshino]

I don't read stuff here. And as a reader I'm too lazy to comments. So its completely understandable when people don't like to comment.

Yes-nya.

 

[Eldoria]

Most readers are silent readers, and that's just what we have to accept. I think a lot of writers want it both ways as well. More comments of people being nice without the negative feedback. If you open Pandora's box, expect that Pandora might make a negative comment. Recognize what you are writing for. If you are writing for reader attention, then there are ways to get readers to comment more. You can even ask for comments in author notes.

I don't know which is worse: being ignored by readers or getting bad reviews. Bad reviews, in a sense, are also a form of caring (as long as the reviewer is criticizing the content, not insulting the author). On the other hand, being ignored by readers is also a form of not caring or even not being worthy of attention.

 

[Akkizakura]

Most readers on this platform are silent. I recommend going to writing.com for feedback since their gift point system gives members an incentive to actually review things. WritersCafe is similar in that regard, but their point system isn't as sophisticated.

This has been the state of SH since the start. Post your stories somewhere else if you want comments and reviews.

 

[pangmida]

I love commenting! The multi-quote function on SH is so fun to use! It's like I'm highlighting and annotating a physical book. And it helps me retain information a lot better as I'm waiting for the next chapter. Although my comments often end up taking over half the page... I do wish more readers used it though.

 

[LightHikari]

I don't know which is worse: being ignored by readers or getting bad reviews. Bad reviews, in a sense, are also a form of caring (as long as the reviewer is criticizing the content, not insulting the author). On the other hand, being ignored by readers is also a form of not caring or even not being worthy of attention.

It feels like being ignored, but it's not the same. I've had someone that waited until the last chapter to say anything. Some people might think it's amazing and still not say anything as frustrating as that may be.

 

[Eldoria]

I love commenting! The multi-quote function on SH is so fun to use! It's like I'm highlighting and annotating a physical book. And it helps me retain information a lot better as I'm waiting for the next chapter. Although my comments often end up taking over half the page... I do wish more readers used it though.

Would you read this combination of dark fantasy + psychological + tragedy + horror genres in one fiction?

 

[sage61]

Most of the time, when I'm binge read through a whole bunch of updates from a new novel, I would not comment cause I'm just too busy reading to reply. Unless something really stands out, I'll keep my comment onto the last updated chapter I've read for the day.

Still, I could understand your frustration. I'll make more effort to comment when reading now.

 

[LIKAAM]

I think a lot of views are guest readers. They don't have the capability to comment. I've read several novels before joining as an author. One of the nice things about SH and other sites like this, is that a guest reader can read content without creating a login, and subjecting themselves to junk mail or subscription emails. On RR, my novel has over 700 views for the first chapters, but only about 350 for the following chapters. Which I figure is normal. Many guest readers will read the first few chapters before deciding to continue. I've done it myself.

Your real feedback, is the # of readers who have read your last chapter. I have yet to build a following here, but on RR, I have about 50 viewers on the first day of posting a new chapter. And it seems that I am getting 100+ views a day. I would consider this a success, even without comments.

That said, members should remember that a simple, quick comment, waiting for an author when they login, can be wonderfully motivational!

Please don't let yourself be discouraged because some are not commenting. Write for yourself, and if you get views on your final chapter, rejoice! That means someone liked your work enough to read the entire creation!!

 

[blackcrowcrowd]

Sometimes when I comment, the author doesn't even reply. I have also seen other people do a huge effort comment only to be ignored. I think this thing happening a couple of times and you just dont care anymore. Just a theory

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Sometimes when I comment, the author doesn't even reply. I have also seen other people do a huge effort comment only to be ignored. I think this thing happening a couple of times and you just dont care anymore. Just a theory

Well, I try to respond to every comment. But, understand something. Your comment might not need a reply.

 

[pangmida]

Sometimes when I comment, the author doesn't even reply. I have also seen other people do a huge effort comment only to be ignored. I think this thing happening a couple of times and you just dont care anymore. Just a theory

Yeahh I get you. I'm so much more enthusiastic when an author replies to me. Though I do tend to comment on every single chapter, so it probably gets annoying or tiring to reply to all of my comments, especially if there are a lot of chapters when I started reading. ? Still, I am more likely to keep commenting if I get replies.

That, and I probably just like attention LOL.

 

[blackcrowcrowd]

Well, I try to respond to every comment. But, understand something. Your comment might not need a reply.

of course, I'm not talking about TFTC comments

 

[CharlesEBrown]

of course, I'm not talking about TFTC comments

TYFTP