Let's Fix It: Attention Tom
Follow up article to reviews for prose.44 total reviews
Comment from N.K. Wagner
From my point of view, I'd rather have 26 reviews from people who have actually read my work (prose or poetry) than 126 from people who have skimmed it and handed me drivel for a payout. I've had both. The 26 are more useful to me as a writer.
Book chapters require higher payouts because of the commitment by the reader - to read and review every chapter. That's asking a lot from people with limited time. The mechanism for paying more is already present. Why fix what ain't broke?
But why not give novels and scripts their own listing pages?
Then the reviewer wouldn't have to wade through forms in which they have no interest and will have more time to review those in which they do.
Well, there's my two cents, if it's worth even that much. :) nancy
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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From my point of view, I'd rather have 26 reviews from people who have actually read my work (prose or poetry) than 126 from people who have skimmed it and handed me drivel for a payout. I've had both. The 26 are more useful to me as a writer.
Book chapters require higher payouts because of the commitment by the reader - to read and review every chapter. That's asking a lot from people with limited time. The mechanism for paying more is already present. Why fix what ain't broke?
But why not give novels and scripts their own listing pages?
Then the reviewer wouldn't have to wade through forms in which they have no interest and will have more time to review those in which they do.
Well, there's my two cents, if it's worth even that much. :) nancy
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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I think that too! They are listed separately on the well-received listings. I think a novel is such a completely different piece of work than a story or essay. I waited months to read Phyllis other than a chapter once in a while to say hello. It is a different world really. There are other authors I would truly like to read as well, but it is such a commitment. When I first started reading and writing poetry here, it was a breeze. To be honest, I can write a decent poem in five minutes and review one decently in about the same time. A book? Well, you know! Thank you. I will keep that in mind. mikey
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My poems tend to show up pretty much in finished form, too, but that doesn't make them worth less. There are layers of meaning and readers often give them interpretations I hadn't considered. That's worth a great deal to me as a poet. I think it should be compensated. Honestly, I'd rather pay for the review based on its value rather than bribing the truly uninterested to scribble something just for the payout. Diligent reviewers learn a lot from what they review. At least I do. :) N
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True. Yes, indeed. I suppose it is a matter of seeking more good reviews and less reviews that are just grabbing the fake money. I do have empathy for the newbie that posts a story and only gets three reviews. It wasn't that long ago for me. It is truly disheartening. Well, we shall see if we can come up with some kind of improvement. Thanks for your insights! mikey
Comment from nordicgirl
This is very well written and brings up a number of interesting points of discussion. The way i see it, this is more for the writers that don't have the big following. There is a huge difference between a well known writer posting something as oppossed to an unknown. I'm sure that you can expect a decent number of reviews with minimal promotion. An unknown is lucky to get three or four including the automatic two. Improving that should be a focus I think. This is exciting. I think something can be done when I read this. Excellent work. NG
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This is very well written and brings up a number of interesting points of discussion. The way i see it, this is more for the writers that don't have the big following. There is a huge difference between a well known writer posting something as oppossed to an unknown. I'm sure that you can expect a decent number of reviews with minimal promotion. An unknown is lucky to get three or four including the automatic two. Improving that should be a focus I think. This is exciting. I think something can be done when I read this. Excellent work. NG
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
Comment from kiwisteveh
Mikey, thanks for spending more time and energy on following up with this. You are right, improvements can be made and it needs someone like you to get the juices flowing, provide the impetus for change.
For the record, this piece is clear, caters to the readers who missed the first part and provides an invitation for us all to get involved.
Steve
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reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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Mikey, thanks for spending more time and energy on following up with this. You are right, improvements can be made and it needs someone like you to get the juices flowing, provide the impetus for change.
For the record, this piece is clear, caters to the readers who missed the first part and provides an invitation for us all to get involved.
Steve
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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Thank you very much. Yes, I did spend more time on this. The first piece was more of a rant. The response surprised me to be honest. I'm hoping that some improvement can come from this. I've seen some changes for the better when we get together and Tom is aware that we are all in agreement. mikey
Comment from humpwhistle
Mikey, I, for one do not wish to pay more to post my stories. And, frankly, I don't wish to further bribe reviewers to read and comment on my work. All this would net me would be more uninspired reviews.
Prose writers already have the option to promote their work.
But that's an option. Your plan would require me to pay more for reviews I don't want.
People who like my work review me regularly, and I find they offer the most worthwhile comments. Bigger payouts only encourage more mercenary reviews.
I usually post in the 1,500 to 2,000 word range--and I often have to divide my stories to achieve my reviewing expectations. I probably average 30-35 reviews. I'm fine with that. If I wanted more reviews, I'd promote more. But that is my option. Not a mandate imposed by others.
It's not the number of reviews, but the quality. I would be pissed if I was forced to pay more for reviews I don't want.
Write consistently well. Attract good, loyal readers. Don't let your readers down. That's my best advice.
Don't chase worthless reviews.
Peace, Lee
I barely struggled just keeping it open.
--I don't think this is what you meant to say.
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reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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Mikey, I, for one do not wish to pay more to post my stories. And, frankly, I don't wish to further bribe reviewers to read and comment on my work. All this would net me would be more uninspired reviews.
Prose writers already have the option to promote their work.
But that's an option. Your plan would require me to pay more for reviews I don't want.
People who like my work review me regularly, and I find they offer the most worthwhile comments. Bigger payouts only encourage more mercenary reviews.
I usually post in the 1,500 to 2,000 word range--and I often have to divide my stories to achieve my reviewing expectations. I probably average 30-35 reviews. I'm fine with that. If I wanted more reviews, I'd promote more. But that is my option. Not a mandate imposed by others.
It's not the number of reviews, but the quality. I would be pissed if I was forced to pay more for reviews I don't want.
Write consistently well. Attract good, loyal readers. Don't let your readers down. That's my best advice.
Don't chase worthless reviews.
Peace, Lee
I barely struggled just keeping it open.
--I don't think this is what you meant to say.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2014
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I agree as far as it being a requirement. It would be an option not a requirement. I agree with the rest of what you say as well. I don't have the following that you do, but I have enough quality reviews to improve and get quality feedback along with the usual fluff. This is more to open a discussion than anything. It is no doubt of more benefit to writers with less of a following and frankly less talent. It is true that to get a good following one should write good material. I've seen that as I slowly improve. I need to find that sentence! Yes, I have no idea what it means. Hahaha. Thanks for pointing it out. Thanks for the input as well. mikey
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I'm sorry. I misread your suggestion about the 16.95 certificate, thinking it was an across the board hike.
Still, Mikey, I don't see how that is any different from the present system--just use more pumps. Though, I'm no in favor of that, either. All you do is drive inflation, and make it easier for the lazy people to accrue money and give dreadfully little in return. And you'll knock my 90 cent posts into oblivion.
I think the bottom line is: You can't pay for intelligent reviews. You can only pay for more reviews. That's counterproductive to your goal. L
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You make a strong point. I'll keep it in mind. That hits home when you mention your 90 cent post being knocked into oblivion. That is quite true. Thanks again for the great input. mikey
