Help your favorite authors! (Not sure if this goes here)

[JamesSavik]

It appears that nowadays, there is always an algorithm to be served.

I've noticed that many people react to CHAPTERS.

If you like a story, please remember to react to it on the STORY TITLE PAGE.

Those are the reactions that people see when they are looking for something to read.

Scores of CHAPTER likes don't mean as much as a reaction to the STORY TITLE PAGE.

This is something that's easy to overlook, but important to show others that it is a worthy read.

Edited January 17 by JamesSavik

[Mancunian]

6 hours ago, JamesSavik said:

It appears that nowadays, there is always an algorithm to be served.

I've noticed that many people react to CHAPTERS.

If you like a story, please remember to react to it on the STORY TITLE PAGE.

Those are the reactions that people see when they are looking for something to read.

Scores of CHAPTER likes don't mean as much as a reaction to the STORY TITLE PAGE.

This is something that's easy to overlook, but important to show others that it is a worthy read.

I agree with every word you say. 

I will also add that if readers like a story enough to leave a reaction and/or comment, please remember to recommend the story and leave a review. These are also important factors that other readers take into account when deciding to read a story. if you want to share the story with other readers, story reactions, recommendations and reviews are the best way to do it as they bring it more to everyone's attention.

Thank you @JamesSavik for this forum post, as an author I appreciate you bringing this to our attention and reminding readers how they can show their appreciation of an author's hard work.

Edited January 17 by Mancunian

[Jkeeletupelo]

I'm guilty of this. I'll react and follow from the main story page, but I tend to only comment on chapters. .. I'll try to do better. 

[Flip-Flop]

Thanks @JamesSavik for your post. I have tons of bookmarks for stories that are several years old at least, and caught myself wanting to react, like I do with current stories. Not in the chapter comments, but with a heart emoji, at the end of the chapter. 

When reading older stories, is it just best to hold any reaction to only the title page until I complete all the chapters? 

I was looking for what the proper etiquette is for dealing with years old stories and your post appeared to be the best place to ask.

As your topic states: (Not sure if this goes here).  😟

Edited February 20 by Flip-Flop

[JamesSavik]

@Flip-Flop I'm tickled to get a like anywhere you're willing to put it. 🙂

Too many people miss that darned title page.

[Mancunian]

4 hours ago, Flip-Flop said:

Thanks @JamesSavik for your post. I have tons of bookmarks for stories that are several years old at least, and caught myself wanting to react, like I do with current stories. Not in the chapter comments, but with a heart emoji, at the end of the chapter. 

When reading older stories, is it just best to hold any reaction to only the title page until I complete all the chapters? 

I was looking for what the proper etiquette is for dealing with years old stories and your post appeared to be the best place to ask.

As your topic states: (Not sure if this goes here).  😟

I don't think there is a 'proper etiquette' as such. I'd say leave your reactions wherever you feel is appropriate, but at least leave a reaction to the story title page. As for comments, I'd say use your own judgement as comments can still create discussion even in older stories. I've previously left comments on older stories, some of the authors, where they are still active, have acknowledged and appreciated the comment. As an author, I will always reply to comments on my stories including the older ones, I feel that any reader who takes the time to comment deserves a reply.

[Ron]

@Flip-Flop and to everyone else.

As an example, concerning older stories: Years ago, I left comments for stories that DomLuka wrote even though they had stopped posting stories on GA years earlier. As new people discover those stories for the first time, at times I get thumbs ups and hearts from them because something I wrote resonated with them. So, I think you should absolutely attach an appropriate emoji of your appreciation or, even better leave comments to your heart's content on older stories.  One never knows what comment you write will promote a response or cause another to think deeper into what they read. Maybe, your comment will be the reason a reader goes back and rereads a chapter based your thoughts.

And, yes, I italicized older to make a point. There are no old stories, just some that you haven't discovered yet. And if you're going back and reading a story yet again... well, there's no friend like an old friend.

[Headstall]

8 hours ago, Flip-Flop said:

Thanks @JamesSavik for your post. I have tons of bookmarks for stories that are several years old at least, and caught myself wanting to react, like I do with current stories. Not in the chapter comments, but with a heart emoji, at the end of the chapter. 

When reading older stories, is it just best to hold any reaction to only the title page until I complete all the chapters? 

I was looking for what the proper etiquette is for dealing with years old stories and your post appeared to be the best place to ask.

As your topic states: (Not sure if this goes here).  😟

Hey, @Flip-Flop. As an author with 'older' stories, I can tell you comments and likes/reactions for the story and the chapters are very much appreciated, as are story reviews and story recommendations. I will go so far as to say a chapter comment or story review on one of my 'older' stories can inspire me to begin writing when I am in a slump, and have so in the past. It's important to know readers care about and are engaged in any of my work they are reading. As well, all these things can stimulate new interest in a story for sure, and that's what we're here for. Cheers!   

[Headstall]

On 1/17/2024 at 4:35 AM, JamesSavik said:

It appears that nowadays, there is always an algorithm to be served.

I've noticed that many people react to CHAPTERS.

If you like a story, please remember to react to it on the STORY TITLE PAGE.

Those are the reactions that people see when they are looking for something to read.

Scores of CHAPTER likes don't mean as much as a reaction to the STORY TITLE PAGE.

This is something that's easy to overlook, but important to show others that it is a worthy read.

Thanks, James. 

[Flip-Flop]

Thanks to all, who took the time to react or respond.

7 hours ago, Ron said:

And, yes, I italicized older to make a point. There are no old stories, just some that you haven't discovered yet. And if you're going back and reading a story yet again... well, there's no friend like an old friend.

How true! 

@Mancunian I have followed "The Boot " stories from before I became a member. I love the expanding and the interconnection that has developed with them!

@Headstall Your comments have made me more comfortable, with the posting of comments on this site, (and you and @JamesSavik are in my many bookmarks of GA authors).

I had lurked on GA for many years as a guest before taking the leap to join, and it took another year until I made any comment. Not being one for social media, and a one finger keyboard typist, I have found the Edit Button to be my best friend. 😌

I would urge all GUESTS on GA to join, and at least share your reactions!

Early on I tended to filter for only complete stories because I like to binge read, but now I enjoy getting involved in the excitement of the stories, as they evolve.

The reason for my post on  this topic was that I was unsure if authors would feel bombarded by my reactions to a night of binge readings? I was also unsure as to what you (authors) received as a notice?

[Mancunian]

6 minutes ago, Flip-Flop said:

Thanks to all, who took the time to react or respond.

How true! 

@Mancunian I have followed "The Boot " stories from before I became a member. I love the expanding and the interconnection that has developed with them!

@Headstall Your comments have made me more comfortable, with the posting of comments on this site, (and you and @JamesSavik are in my many bookmarks of GA authors).

I had lurked on GA for many years as a guest before taking the leap to join, and it took another year until I made any comment. Not being one for social media, and a one finger keyboard typist, I have found the Edit Button to be my best friend. 😌

I would urge all GUESTS on GA to join, and at least share your reactions!

Early on I tended to filter for only complete stories because I like to binge read, but now I enjoy getting involved in the excitement of the stories, as they evolve.

The reason for my post on  this topic was that I was unsure if authors would feel bombarded by my reactions to a night of binge readings? I was also unsure as to what you (authors) received as a notice?

I am happy that you decided to stop lurking and sign up. GA is all the richer for every new member who signs up, especially when, like yourself, they participate and get involved.

I know that I can speak for many authors when I say this, we appreciate every emoticon reaction left by our readers and we enjoy responding to and chatting with our readers via the chapter and story comments, they help to keep us going. The reviews left by readers and their story recommendations add more fuel to our enjoyment of writing and posting our stories and are very much encouraged, they also help to raise awareness of the stories we post and help to attract more readers.

Thank you for your comment about The Boot World stories, it really is appreciated. Your reactions and comments have been noticed, I hope you will be happy to know that there are more to come.

Authors receive a notification every time a reader leaves a reaction or comment to a chapter, chapter comment, story and story comment. We also receive a notification for each review that is left to our stories. When I have been bombarded by reaction notifications I've been very happy to receive them and always wonder what that reader thinks of the story, hoping they will leave a comment to let me know, this also allows me to thank them for their interest, reactions and comments. To be bombarded in this way by a reader is a delight, especially when it is to an older story.

[Mancunian]

@Flip-Flop if you enjoy reading stories from any author and want to be kept up-to-date on new stories they are posting you can follow an author and receive notifications. You can do this from the main story page of any of their stories or their author profile, which is different to their member profile, by clicking on Follow Author. If you click on Follow Member on their member profile the notifications you receive may be different. You can follow as many members and authors as you choose to. If you click on Follow Story from the main story page you will receive notifications about that story.

Edited February 21 by Mancunian

[Bill W]

You're correct, James, and even though I have readers that leave  a great many chapter comments, they often overlook the st ory page to comment or click on an emoji.  I hope a lot of readers read your post and react to this common oversight.  Thank you for pointing this out.    Come to think of it, I may be guilty of this as well.  Oops.  I'll have to get better.  

Edited February 21 by Bill W

[Headstall]

2 hours ago, Mancunian said:

I am happy that you decided to stop lurking and sign up. GA is all the richer for every new member who signs up, especially when, like yourself, they participate and get involved.

I know that I can speak for many authors when I say this, we appreciate every emoticon reaction left by our readers and we enjoy responding to and chatting with our readers via the chapter and story comments, they help to keep us going. The reviews left by readers and their story recommendations add more fuel to our enjoyment of writing and posting our stories and are very much encouraged, they also help to raise awareness of the stories we post and help to attract more readers.

Thank you for your comment about The Boot World stories, it really is appreciated. Your reactions and comments have been noticed, I hope you will be happy to know that there are more to come.

Authors receive a notification every time a reader leaves a reaction or comment to a chapter, chapter comment, story and story comment. We also receive a notification for each review that is left to our stories. When I have been bombarded by reaction notifications I've been very happy to receive them and always wonder what that reader thinks of the story, hoping they will leave a comment to let me know, this also allows me to thank them for their interest, reactions and comments. To be bombarded in this way by a reader is a delight, especially when it is to an older story.

Couldn't agree more!

[CassieQ]

11 hours ago, Headstall said:

Hey, @Flip-Flop. As an author with 'older' stories, I can tell you comments and likes/reactions for the story and the chapters are very much appreciated, as are story reviews and story recommendations. I will go so far as to say a chapter comment or story review on one of my 'older' stories can inspire me to begin writing when I am in a slump, and have so in the past. It's important to know readers care about and are engaged in any of my work they are reading. As well, all these things can stimulate new interest in a story for sure, and that's what we're here for. Cheers!   

This is 100% true.  

[Zuri]

I'm somewhat guilty of that when it comes to non-completed stories. I'm never sure when it's the right moment to comment on a story when I'm not sure in which direction it will eventually go.

Another thing, similar yet different to reviews and on the title page as well, are recommendations. They seem to be overlooked just as well. However, they give an even quicker and more structured and therefore—if done well—more comparable overview of what to expect.

I know, some authors have a different opinion on this, but I will die on the hill to say that reactions are nice, but they are considerably less helpful than comments. I'm aware that not everyone only resorting to emoji reactions is lazy, but that's a bit how it feels: It's lacking a personal touch, it's not telling much. And I'm not asking for a novel-length comment, but a few words coming from a real person with a distinct view of the story. Sure, this might be challenging at first, but it can give the author so much insight.

Edited June 11 by Zuri
Typo

[Talo Segura]

Payment, paying it back, support, sharing: these are the words, phrases, that come to mind. It is a shame you have to be a site member to hit like, unlike on YouTube where you can like and follow more or less anonymously. If you are a member and read a story then a like or whatever response costs you nothing more than a click. The story you have read has cost the author (and sometimes an editorial team) hours and hours of work. Okay, it's their choice, but really if you want to read free stories, a tiny little click costs you nothing and supports the author continuing to post.

Edited June 12 by Talo Segura
Spelling

[Cane23]

I have become a member of GA to be able to comment, react and share this amazing experience with others. If you are just reading, why becoming a member when most of the stories are free?!

Nevertheless, I highly recommend membership. It has been a great ride, and I enjoyed every moment of it! There are so many talented authors here, and they deserve our support!