Posting on Nifty? Oui or Non?

[Skylights]

Here's the deal. I started on Nifty and only recently found my way here. I suppose it's fair to say that I had most of my readership established because of Nifty, and as has been mentioned on this site previously, Nifty readers give a lot of response. I've gotten so many emails and that's always encouraging. It's nice to know someone's reading and then when they take the time to write.

 

Now that I'm done my first story, Sparkling Combustion, I don't know whether to continue posting on there. I mentioned in my last chapter that I wouldn't be continuing to post on Nifty but I'm not too sure. One of the reasons i'd still like to, is because I do want to establish more readers, and yet I don't want to because of some things I've read on here. Particularly regarding their policy on removing work. While that doesn't bother me personally since I doubt I'm going to get any of my stuff published anytime soon, it just seems like nasty work on their part.

 

Help?

[PrivateTim]

Personally I've never had any problems with Nifty and nothing but helpfulness when I posted over there.

[JamesSavik]

You are known for the company you keep.

 

Sure- there's some good stuff on Nifty but you've got to confront a whole lot of swine before you find any pearls.

 

Do you want your stories sitting beside "intergenerational", incest and pure porn?

 

I don't. Call me a snob but that's not what I write, am about or support.

[Skylights]

You are known for the company you keep.

 

Sure- there's some good stuff on Nifty but you've got to confront a whole lot of swine before you find any pearls.

 

Do you want your stories sitting beside "intergenerational", incest and pure porn?

 

I don't. Call me a snob but that's not what I write, am about or support.

 

Good point. I'm a snob, but I also see it as a good way to get out there. You can usually tell by the titles whether the stories are crap or decent. not that it makes a difference. I don't feel like i'm really growing just posting on GA and my yahoo group at the moment. I notice new members join my group every time I post a Nifty chapter and more response as well. I do like GA for this sort of discussion and feedback with lots of other people though.

 

Personally I've never had any problems with Nifty and nothing but helpfulness when I posted over there.

 

That's not usually the story for everyone, but I'm glad for you. I haven't had problems either. Nifty's just a bit sketchy.

[Krista]

Nifty is really good at gaining readership for a Yahoo group, but you need to be aware of their rules and TOS, things that you can read on their site. I stopped posting my stories there when I closed my yahoo group. I also don't really agree with some of their rules regarding 'my stories,' and that's a big turn off for me to use them.

 

It is easy to gain an audience base here on GA as well if you work at it.

[Kia Zi Shiru]

I actually chose just to post 1 story on there, the one with most smut and it's simply my 'plaything'. I deliberately did this because I want to get places with my other stories but not this one but I also wanted to attract more readers. Which is what I do after only just being on there for one day O.O it's like woooow

[Renee Stevens]

I used to post on Nifty and I personally didn't have too hard of a time removing my stories, however, from what I understand, that's not the norm. A good friend of mine who is published was trying to pull her old works off of Nifty in order to revamp them and send them in to her publisher and nifty absolutely refused to remove her stories unless she either a- gave them money or b-replaced it with another story. She finally ended up paying them in order to get her stories off.

[Mark Arbour]

I'm worried that this thread will become a "let's bash Nifty" forum, and I think that would be blatantly unfair. Think about this community (GLBT) and what it would be like without Nifty. There would be no generic place to post stories, and it would be a lot tougher for new writers to find a place to publish their works. Think of the resource Nifty is for gay or bi-curious people exploring their sexuality. Yeah, there's a lot of crap on there, but there are some good stories there too. I know, because I read for the "Best of Nifty" team. But as Krista said, there are downsides, all of which Nifty points out in it's TOS.

 

If you're a new actor, you may perform in some pretty nasty venues while you're hoping to get discovered. You may even go on American Idol. But once you're discovered, once you have a following, you don't perform there anymore. Nifty works the same way.

[Skylights]

Nifty is really good at gaining readership for a Yahoo group, but you need to be aware of their rules and TOS, things that you can read on their site. I stopped posting my stories there when I closed my yahoo group. I also don't really agree with some of their rules regarding 'my stories,' and that's a big turn off for me to use them.

 

It is easy to gain an audience base here on GA as well if you work at it.

 

 

Yes It is good for getting a readership. I'm not too picky, though the idea of posting there does turn me off. The only thing that makes me WANT to is that i don't actually think i'll want to remove my stories in the future and I'd like the readership. Why did you close your yahoo group if i may ask?

 

Yeah, I suppose it would involve being involved in the forum a lot

 

I actually chose just to post 1 story on there, the one with most smut and it's simply my 'plaything'. I deliberately did this because I want to get places with my other stories but not this one but I also wanted to attract more readers. Which is what I do after only just being on there for one day O.O it's like woooow

 

Nifty has always garnered a lot of readership for me as well. Though I don't like how they have not only porn stories everywhere but all of these ads for porn websites and such. Have they always been there?!!

 

I used to post on Nifty and I personally didn't have too hard of a time removing my stories, however, from what I understand, that's not the norm. A good friend of mine who is published was trying to pull her old works off of Nifty in order to revamp them and send them in to her publisher and nifty absolutely refused to remove her stories unless she either a- gave them money or b-replaced it with another story. She finally ended up paying them in order to get her stories off.

 

. How much did she have to pay? See that's what I don't think i have to worry about, as none of my stuff is good enough to be published.

 

I'm worried that this thread will become a "let's bash Nifty" forum, and I think that would be blatantly unfair. Think about this community (GLBT) and what it would be like without Nifty. There would be no generic place to post stories, and it would be a lot tougher for new writers to find a place to publish their works. Think of the resource Nifty is for gay or bi-curious people exploring their sexuality. Yeah, there's a lot of crap on there, but there are some good stories there too. I know, because I read for the "Best of Nifty" team. But as Krista said, there are downsides, all of which Nifty points out in it's TOS.

 

If you're a new actor, you may perform in some pretty nasty venues while you're hoping to get discovered. You may even go on American Idol. But once you're discovered, once you have a following, you don't perform there anymore. Nifty works the same way.

 

 

Yes, I get your POV completely. I mean I'm not even gay but I found it (and I don't even remember how, lol!). One question though, how can you be sure you have a decent following? Like when is it that you can be...okay I don't need this crap anymore, now I have GA and so and so?

[Myr]

Pretty much all the early authors here at Gay Authors first start posting at Nifty. I encourage people to post to Nifty, if you don't have any issues with their terms of service. As a webmaster, I have some sympathy for the amount of work that it puts on the Nifty Archivist when writers are constantly putting up and taking down things.

[NaperVic]

Strictly from this reader's perspective, Nifty is the archive. I find it simple and easy to use and it's What's New page is a great way to easily keep up on the latest updates.

 

I like that it's such a comprehensive archive. I love that I can go to Nifty and find a story that I read in 1995 (yes, last century!). It's the first place I go to when I want to find a story I want to revisit. Sure there is crap there, but crap is in the eye of the beholder. If I were running Nifty and tried being gatekeeper on quality, about 95% of it wouldn't be posted. However, if I were running GA eFiction, about 70% of what's there wouldn't be allowed. Again, eye of the beholder.

Nifty's survived many years when other story sites have come and gone. For example, now that Archerland has closed, I was worried about what would happen to Jfinn's the Human Condition. Luckily, it's still on Nifty.

So to answer your question, I'd say Oui to posting on Nifty.

 

One question though, how can you be sure you have a decent following? Like when is it that you can be...okay I don't need this crap anymore, now I have GA and so and so?

 

So basically, you want to use Nifty to gain readership, but as soon as you hit the big time, you'll leave?

 

Your questions kinda sound like some of the reasons Nifty has had to add all the fine print in their Terms of Service. If I were Nifty, I'd probably be miffed too with Authors requesting their stories being pulled. Or Authors posting some of their chapters on Nifty and posting the rest of them at another site.

 

It's been my experience that some authors can at times be sensitive & egotistical . As the Nifty archivist, that meant he was dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of them. Nifty's TOS are probably a response and a coping mechanism to reduce the amount of work he (they) had to do.

 

I think if you mentally commit to posting a story on Nifty, I think you should post it to completion on Nifty (whether or not you get hosted elsewhere in the interim).

 

Take Care®,

 

Vic

 

Edited April 2, 2010 by NaperVic

[Menzoberranzen]

I started posting on Nifty before I followed Dom Luka's 'The Log Way' to GA. The stuff I write now really isn't suited for an erotic fiction website like Nifty, but if I were to write a serial story or one with more eroticism, then yes, I'd probably post it on Nifty too. Posting a story there gives you a much wider audience, and if reader feedback is important to you, then Nifty can be a great place to post stuff.

 

Like Vic says, crap is in the eye of the beholder. I personally don't find it worth it to sift through Nifty to find the gems, but they are out there and if you post your stuff there, you would be in good company.

 

Menzo

[Skylights]

Strictly from this reader's perspective, Nifty is the archive. I find it simple and easy to use and it's What's New page is a great way to easily keep up on the latest updates.

 

I like that it's such a comprehensive archive. I love that I can go to Nifty and find a story that I read in 1995 (yes, last century!). It's the first place I go to when I want to find a story I want to revisit. Sure there is crap there, but crap is in the eye of the beholder. If I were running Nifty and tried being gatekeeper on quality, about 95% of it wouldn't be posted. However, if I were running GA eFiction, about 70% of what's there wouldn't be allowed. Again, eye of the beholder.

Nifty's survived many years when other story sites have come and gone. For example, now that Archerland has closed, I was worried about what would happen to Jfinn's the Human Condition. Luckily, it's still on Nifty.

So to answer your question, I'd say Oui to posting on Nifty.

 

 

So basically, you want to use Nifty to gain readership, but as soon as you hit the big time, you'll leave?

 

Your questions kinda sound like some of the reasons Nifty has had to add all the fine print in their Terms of Service. If I were Nifty, I'd probably be miffed too with Authors requesting their stories being pulled. Or Authors posting some of their chapters on Nifty and posting the rest of them at another site.

 

It's been my experience that some authors can at times be sensitive & egotistical . As the Nifty archivist, that meant he was dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of them. Nifty's TOS are probably a response and a coping mechanism to reduce the amount of work he (they) had to do.

 

I think if you mentally commit to posting a story on Nifty, I think you should post it to completion on Nifty (whether or not you get hosted elsewhere in the interim).

 

Take Care®,

 

Vic

 

 

People are so mixed about nifty! I personally have nothing against it, so i'm just going to have to think about it hard (or maybe not!) You made some good points, so thanks! To answer your question, I do NOT want to just hit it big! I meant that in the sense that right now I would consider posting on there because I don't plan on pulling those stories and so i don't have to deal with problems if i'd like to get something published. That's all. I don't just want to get a readership. I'd like for all sorts of people to read my work. I'm not too picky about it or egotistical (although I can be!) It's as others have said. Nifty isn't such a bad place. That's why i'm taking time to think about this, because, if i submit somthing, I'd do it fully, as I did with Sparkling Combustion. Thanks for your input NaperVic

 

Also to Menzoberranzen, I agree that crap is in the eye of the beholder. And Nifty serves its purpose. I don't know if my stuff belongs there either. My first story did have quite a bit of eroticism but i believe my others don't have as much.

 

 

[Adam Phillips]

I'll probably keep posting to Nifty. I didn't have any problems with removing stuff the one time I wanted it removed. And I don't hold the site in disdain. I think there's a place for it out here in the cyberverse.

 

As for the you're-known-by-the-company-you-keep theory, it sounds good on paper, but I'm not sure I agree. Why? Because I've found some really good stuff there that's not posted anywhere else, and I certainly didn't look down on the writer just because he posted it at Nifty. But maybe I'm part of the undesirable company and, as such, don't have the necessary refinement to be offended by the site.

 

I can't say I go there much to read, but it doesn't bother me to have my stuff there. And the porn thing doesn't really bother me either. Either the links or the presence of out-and-out stroke narrative. After all, some of my material is pretty explicit, and, I dunno, porn has never been something that gets me all outraged. The bad writing in such great supply there is more likely to do that...but then sometimes it's just as likely to make me crack up, and who doesn't need a good laugh once in a while?

 

I think in the final analysis it's one of those your-mileage-may-vary things. Some people are fine with it, some aren't. If you're not, I'd say, don't do it. I'd prefer people not to judge people who do post stuff there, but I got no control over that.

 

 

 

--Adam P

[Skylights]

I'll probably keep posting to Nifty. I didn't have any problems with removing stuff the one time I wanted it removed. And I don't hold the site in disdain. I think there's a place for it out here in the cyberverse.

 

As for the you're-known-by-the-company-you-keep theory, it sounds good on paper, but I'm not sure I agree. Why? Because I've found some really good stuff there that's not posted anywhere else, and I certainly didn't look down on the writer just because he posted it at Nifty. But maybe I'm part of the undesirable company and, as such, don't have the necessary refinement to be offended by the site.

 

I can't say I go there much to read, but it doesn't bother me to have my stuff there. And the porn thing doesn't really bother me either. Either the links or the presence of out-and-out stroke narrative. After all, some of my material is pretty explicit, and, I dunno, porn has never been something that gets me all outraged. The bad writing in such great supply there is more likely to do that...but then sometimes it's just as likely to make me crack up, and who doesn't need a good laugh once in a while?

 

I think in the final analysis it's one of those your-mileage-may-vary things. Some people are fine with it, some aren't. If you're not, I'd say, don't do it. I'd prefer people not to judge people who do post stuff there, but I got no control over that.

 

 

 

--Adam P

 

Damn I get affected by people's views easily . Lol, Idk if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Anyway, I loved your story when I had a chance to read it, Adam, and I hope I catch up soon! I've always been okay with it for the whole 'everything on there is crap' thing. The only thing that was holding me back was their policies. And I think i've decided I AM going to send my new story there. That's to completion, as well.Here's why:

 

I had an issue with their policies but as others have pointed out, it gets tedious to filter everthing. As such, Nifty has its own purpose and sites like GA where there is overall much better quality have their own purpose. This means, some people might feel iffy about posting among all the porn and child-sex , but as Adam has pointed out, there ARE stories on there that are way better than mine and they're not posted elsewhere. I don't go there to read there anymore either, but that's because i'm way behind on all the stuff online D:, and I actually don't find it hard to find good stuff to read on there. You can usually tell right away from the titles if it'll be crap, or if each chapter is like 4k.

 

I think someone asked if I really want my story beside crap, and I'm mixed about that, but it's not so bad once you think about the fact that your stories will be beside other good ones like Adam's!

 

To close this off, I'm going to delay posting it because I'm one of those people who take either forever to make a decision or do it really quickly.

 

Thanks for all your help everyone!

[David McLeod]

I've considered posting on Nifty, and once started a story deliberately designed for that site. However, I decided I liked the story too much to give it to them on their terms.

 

Technically, it appears to be a bit of a challenge to post and even more so to edit a post. I haven't looked recently, but I think they require html (which I can't do) or an older version of MS Word than I use. Yeah, I can save in legacy format, but it's just another step in the process. I don't think I've ever read about a way to edit a post.

 

A lot of stories on Nifty seem to be poorly formatted. I don't know if that's the fault of the site or of the submitter, but I think it's a software thing that I don't know how to deal with, and I don't want my stories looking like medieval manuscripts without paragraph breaks.

 

That said, I agree that Nifty is an important site and an important resource, and that I've found some exceptionally good stories there. To recapitulate: "The only rule that applies to every writer is this: if you want to be a writer, then write something." Nifty provides an audience and perhaps some feedback for people who have the desire but who are still developing their talent.

[Skylights]

I've considered posting on Nifty, and once started a story deliberately designed for that site. However, I decided I liked the story too much to give it to them on their terms.

 

Technically, it appears to be a bit of a challenge to post and even more so to edit a post. I haven't looked recently, but I think they require html (which I can't do) or an older version of MS Word than I use. Yeah, I can save in legacy format, but it's just another step in the process. I don't think I've ever read about a way to edit a post.

 

A lot of stories on Nifty seem to be poorly formatted. I don't know if that's the fault of the site or of the submitter, but I think it's a software thing that I don't know how to deal with, and I don't want my stories looking like medieval manuscripts without paragraph breaks.

 

That said, I agree that Nifty is an important site and an important resource, and that I've found some exceptionally good stories there. To recapitulate: "The only rule that applies to every writer is this: if you want to be a writer, then write something." Nifty provides an audience and perhaps some feedback for people who have the desire but who are still developing their talent.

 

My stuff isn't well formatted either but whatever lol! I agree that it is an important resource. I like your rule, David, I think i'll remember that. I also fit into that group of developing my talent.

 

Note: I HAVE sent my story to Nifty and it was a big FML moment as...I hadn't attached anything to the email ( I make that error too often). After some embarrasement, I've just sent in. I was unsure as to where the story should be placed (I don't like their organization either but I won't complain) And nifty was nice about letting me decide where it should go based on the relationship and age of the couple.

[John Doe]

Why is everyone missing the fact that... nifty gains readers and that has lead them to here on GA. Do you not see the flow of readers and authors alike? If there's a flow, there's no need to go to Nifty if you do not feel comfortable over there. I don't and I will no longer post on that site. They can have 19 chapters of my story and they are entitled to that but that is it. Basically my point is you found GA through nifty. Others will do the same. So the overall point you'll get your readers and such AND you won't have to battle against a lame rule of author ownership. Besides I rather get my readers via GA. Most folks over at nifty are there to do sexaul molestation to themselves. The seious and good readers/writers move on to different sites once they get a good footstep on this online writing business.

[DomLuka]

Most folks over at nifty are there to do sexaul molestation to themselves.

 

 

... walking away now

[Skylights]

Why is everyone missing the fact that... nifty gains readers and that has lead them to here on GA. Do you not see the flow of readers and authors alike? If there's a flow, there's no need to go to Nifty if you do not feel comfortable over there. I don't and I will no longer post on that site. They can have 19 chapters of my story and they are entitled to that but that is it. Basically my point is you found GA through nifty. Others will do the same. So the overall point you'll get your readers and such AND you won't have to battle against a lame rule of author ownership. Besides I rather get my readers via GA. Most folks over at nifty are there to do sexaul molestation to themselves. The seious and good readers/writers move on to different sites once they get a good footstep on this online writing business.

 

Okay so I think that's a bit harsh. I have posted on Nifty just now and though I'm not a great writer, I am a serious one and i've never been contacted by anyone who likes to sexually molest themselves. Though I have moved on to here, I have no problems with nifty. People DO go there to read serious stuff, and people Do go there for not so serious stuff.

 

That said, CAN you actually sexually molest yourself? I thought masturbation was healthy...

 

 

... walking away now

 

 

LOL. I agree...

[John Doe]

I'll probably keep posting to Nifty. I didn't have any problems with removing stuff the one time I wanted it removed. And I don't hold the site in disdain. I think there's a place for it out here in the cyberverse.

 

As for the you're-known-by-the-company-you-keep theory, it sounds good on paper, but I'm not sure I agree. Why? Because I've found some really good stuff there that's not posted anywhere else, and I certainly didn't look down on the writer just because he posted it at Nifty. But maybe I'm part of the undesirable company and, as such, don't have the necessary refinement to be offended by the site.

 

I can't say I go there much to read, but it doesn't bother me to have my stuff there. And the porn thing doesn't really bother me either. Either the links or the presence of out-and-out stroke narrative. After all, some of my material is pretty explicit, and, I dunno, porn has never been something that gets me all outraged. The bad writing in such great supply there is more likely to do that...but then sometimes it's just as likely to make me crack up, and who doesn't need a good laugh once in a while?

 

I think in the final analysis it's one of those your-mileage-may-vary things. Some people are fine with it, some aren't. If you're not, I'd say, don't do it. I'd prefer people not to judge people who do post stuff there, but I got no control over that.

 

 

 

--Adam P

 

It's good to hear that you had no problems taking your story off. On the porn writing... I agree with James' sentiments. There's a time and place for sex scenes in a good meaninful story, which is usally never, and there an elloquence required to pass off a sexual scene as something relevant to the story. I stand with James (though assumingly and James please do correct me if I am mistaken) that I feel that sex in stories are not there to elevate anything in the story but give readers and the author the satisfaction that they are doing it. Why not protray this level of intimacy and or advancement of relationship through other methods? The other method is more poignant and relevant. Some writers allude to sex but I like how they don't describe the sex. Describing the sex is like a "bad romance novel," like the ones at the supermarket check out, where people snicker at such books. The moment I read a story with descriptive sex I drop it because descriptive sex to me is not a valuable point relevant to elevate or move the story along. Very few writers had pulled it off, but when you read those excerpts the focus is not on the sex but the meaning behind subtle actions or things while the intercourse is taking place. There's a difference. This argument is similar to those of the publishing world.... literary vs. commercial, which translate to written well with meaning and value vs. written to entice a specified audience. There's nothing wrong with either... but if you want to be part of the former grouping you have to sit and think about what you want to write and the meanings behind each scene whether they were intentional. If they weren't? It is in need of revision.

[John Doe]

Okay so I think that's a bit harsh. I have posted on Nifty just now and though I'm not a great writer, I am a serious one and i've never been contacted by anyone who likes to sexually molest themselves. Though I have moved on to here, I have no problems with nifty. People DO go there to read serious stuff, and people Do go there for not so serious stuff.

 

That said, CAN you actually sexually molest yourself? I thought masturbation was healthy...

 

 

 

 

LOL. I agree...

 

 

Oh if you could hear me say it. It'd be nice to hear the tones of one's voice when reading something, but you guys don't know me well enough to hear my voice. I'm just a stranger on the internet. There were moments of sarcasm mixed with my sense of humor in it... molestation was exagerated cause I thought'd it be funny. Oh well take it as you will. Masturbation is healthy by the way. And you can only sexually molest yourself if you feel guilty afterwards.

 

And you kinda proved my point... you're here on GA are you not? I'm just saying if Nifty rubs you the wrong way in any way don't force yourself into something that makes you uncomfortable. If you are worried about readership and feedback, I just wanted to say people at nifty eventually find themselves elsewhere. Maturbation point is that readers who remains on nifty (as a generalization to include many but not all) never branching out to other sites, like the erotica. Nothing against them but that's their tastes. As James mentioned earlier, the Nifty audience is targeted for a specific audience. Heres an analogy: It's like writing a historical fiction and having some fantasy lover critique and judge your work... they can but keep in mind they are reading from a different angle, perspective, and with different expectation.

[Skylights]

Oh if you could hear me say it. It'd be nice to hear the tones of one's voice when reading something, but you guys don't know me well enough to hear my voice. I'm just a stranger on the internet. There were moments of sarcasm mixed with my sense of humor in it... molestation was exagerated cause I thought'd it be funny. Oh well take it as you will. Masturbation is healthy by the way. And you can only sexually molest yourself if you feel guilty afterwards.

 

And you kinda proved my point... you're here on GA are you not? I'm just saying if Nifty rubs you the wrong way in any way don't force yourself into something that makes you uncomfortable. If you are worried abour readership and feedback, that people at nifty eventually find themselves elsewhere. Maturbation point is that readers who remains on nifty never branching out to other sites, like the erotica. Nothing against them but that's their tastes. It's like writing a historical fiction buff author and having some fantasy lover critique and judge your work... they can but keep in mind they are reading from a different angle, perspective, and expectation.

 

Hey, hey, I TOTALLY found it funny.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong John. I only adressed like the last paragraph of what you said. I should have made myself clearer. I agree with you. I only came to GA when I thought I was semi-decent at writing. This happened during the end of my story (the first half sucks and I can't bring myself to read a word of it) but yes I came here because I wanted a more serious place to post my story. Also, I haven't been active in the forum but i'm lately doing so and I really like the community here. It's AWESOME!

 

Also, I get what you were saying about the sex scenes too. I've been going back and editing my first story as of late and it was painful to read. I think it can work in the right story, however. Though, I avoid it when I write more serious things now.

[John Doe]

Sorry James I think I read your sentiments elsewhere in a different thread. Reading three or four threads at the same time, mixes me up. But I feel they are relevant to this thread also.

[Adam Phillips]

There's well-written porn and there's bad porn. Like everything else. The purpose of porn is to bring a level of sexual excitement and arousal. I don't think that's ignoble in and of itself, and I don't think it's incompatible with good writing. Good writing encompasses a wide variety of types and purposes. I don't believe that a person can say beforehand what type of content is going to lead automatically to bad writing. It's all about the writer, his or her skill, and his or her creativity. There are some folks here at GA whose stories contain pornographic elements, and they're quite well written. I'm much more disdainful of literary and mechanical ineptitude and incompetence than I am the presence of pornographic content in narrative. But I do agree that if written porn puts you off, you should simply stop reading.

 

Meanwhile, though, I'm not a guy to cast aspersions on either the tastes of readers who aren't put off by porn or the merits of writers who write porn. I want to say to those writers, "Show me what you got, be it porn or non-porn, then we'll talk."