Cia

1) ***Do not force indents on the text as an author on GA*** Please just post the text as is because the system allows readers to either use the block formatting or to add an indent if they prefer to read with it. You can see this by clicking on the middle button on a chapter by the font size buttons. 
2) Indents are used when authors do not have a single space between paragraphs, which is called block formatting (the preferred method for online fiction/website text). The indent goes at the beginning of every paragraph. It is called a 'first line indent' and is used with books to save space on paper. It isn't based on narration or dialogue. 
Hope that helps! 

No, unfortunately, we do not allow stories to be posted in foreign languages. This is because our moderation team primarily speaks and writes English and the entire site is based on English as well. We don't have the capabilities to do translations of all the languages in the world to ensure members and Stories are moderated fairly. We allow people to do common greetings and some phrases on the forums that are easily recognized, and we do allow authors to pepper some phrases in foreign languages into their stories though we typically prefer if they provide some sort of translation for readers either in the story via the characters or in the story notes.

There was an announcement at the start of the year that we were moving to a monthly digest  (last Sunday of each month) of the newsletter due to a lack of engagement and clicks from subscribers, with a move to posting more content on GA's social media and direct emails to authors for special site announcements like special events (Premium short story call). We want to get information about what's happening to members, and we're looking for the best ways to do that. 

My guess would be that you need to compress the resolution, not change the size. Whatever program you use for editing, when you save the image, look for the 'image quality' option as you save. There's usually a way to save it as best quality, which is typically the default and largest file size, to the lowest quality. Lowering the quality will compress the image without changing the size. How much you need to do depends on size of your original image based on the ppi of the images you used and the size you need. 
 
For your GA banner, you need to ensure the file size is under 2 MB. 
 
Or, in case this is a bug or other issue, have you tried adding the banner via a different browser or device? 

No, you don't need to be a poet to post poetry. However, some poets do NOT want to be categorized as authors, so to accommodate them we have a category just for poets. I will change your group back to author. If you are going to post flash fiction or poetry, please make sure you've check out the FAQ posting guidelines for fiction under 1k in length.

There should be content to read at this time. Thank you for the heads up. 

I just checked some stories, and I don't see that you have the newest anthology stories posted followed individually. Are you getting notifications from the stories posted by the authors you follow (such as Mikiesboy, who posted an anthology story) but then not the stories by authors you don't follow? Because you would have to click on the "Follow" button on individual stories in order to get notifications from each story or have the authors followed to catch anything they post. Then you also have to have your notification settings set to get comment notifications as well (scroll below the general notification settings to do individual settings). 

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by this, @watcher This is something you would need to direct to the author, perhaps via a PM. The Help forum is for questions that are for site-related help or technical site help (like a bug) questions, not story-specific plot thoughts or something an author needs to fix unless they are an inactive author and it's something site staff would need to address. In that case, you could PM me. 

Hello, @hypokris Those requests for story help typically go into the "Stories Discussion Forum" as that's where most authors/readers go to discuss regular author stories on GA, stories from off GA, or just stories in general. That's where the most members will see it that might actually know what you're looking for. Just remember to give as many details as you can remember from the plot and characters, and if you can remember about when you were reading them and if they were finished/unfinished that's always helpful. You never know what might jog the memory of another reader. 

This varies, and I know we've posted the information in other Help questions before but it'd probably take me longer to find it than to just write it out. We have some authors who ask to move their content to Premium in lieu of removing it since deleting content from GA is one of the ways an author can ensure they won't be able to be promoted; we do want to provide a way for authors to learn and grow, but we don't want to be a place for authors to polish their work with site reader feedback and then remove it for publishing constantly. So that's one way we have stories moved to Premium. 
 
Other times we put out calls for short stories or novellas for specific events. This is usually for fun and we offer up a small payment in return such as a Premium subscription or a payment or do it as a donation basis. These terms are usually spelled in the open calls so everyone knows what is being asked for and offered, then the stories are run at a set time.  
 
The third way is the most common and that is for authors to approach us, or vice versa, and provide a manuscript they have ready or idea for one, and we do a review to see if it's something that historically is read well by our Premium subscribers. We prefer longer novel-length stories that are already edited, though we will work with authors on that, and then we will do a variety of remittance options depending on the situation the author prefers. Anywhere from a single payment to exclusively post the story and maintain a copy in our Premium subscriber archive before the author self-publishes, to a reduced payment and providing an ISBN and advertising when the author self-publishes in exchange for the exclusive posting/maintain a copy, to no upfront payment but we will provide all editing, formatting, and self-publishing assistance for the author who wishes to follow that avenue from platform and pre-marketing advice like some branding and graphic assistance and cover art, ARC and eBook formatting, creating a book tour and book review site tour advice, etc... in exchange for exclusive posting and rights to maintain a copy. Payment amounts vary and are discussed privately with each author. 
 
These stories are usually run back-to-back whenever one story/novel is complete then the next begins. That means authors can submit a query to write a story well before one is needed and have time to write or edit it. 
 
What you probably remember was the discussion and information Myr posted in your Bait & Switch topic, btw. 

No. The system does not currently have a way to bookmark things specifically that way.  Of course, you can Favorite specific stories on the site (see FAQ topic here) and then like or comment on each chapter after you read it (which authors appreciate anyway, see FAQ topic here) and then restart reading at the chapter you haven't liked or commented on yet. You can view your activity on your profile to see where you have done this or use the Activity Stream options to easily track where you have done this. Or, if you do not have to worry about anyone monitoring your website activity, you can use the Favorites/Bookmark feature built in any web browser (Edge, Firefox, Chrome) and simply set a favorite (star on the url bar usually) on the chapter you either stopped reading on (if that's the last chapter on an unfinished story that's being currently being posted by the author) or set the favorite on the next chapter you wish to begin reading, if the story is complete and you have to stop reading for some other reason. 
 
To learn other helpful site information, you can review our extensive FAQ topics targeted to the specific areas of the site through the "Help" tab in the red menu bar. 

This link to the subscription page, if anyone else who isn't a subscriber needs it: http://gayauthors.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8586b6deff96506015dc71fc4&id=269eaacf64
 
Yes, the "Prove you're a human" recaptcha page brings up a pop up where it tells you to identify all boxes in the image that have such and such type of image in them, (such as a bridge, or car, or sign) or to press the skip button if none of the boxes have those image. That brings up another pop up boxed image to select areas with some type of image and verify that you're a human. Once you select all boxes with the type of image, click the 'verify' box, it checks the recaptcha box with a green arrow and says, "I am not a robot" and the option to press on the 'Subscribe to List' gray button becomes available. 
 
However... if you're already subscribed to the list, you don't have to do the full sign up like a new subscriber. You just need to update your subscriber information. Once you've completed all those steps in the last paragraph, it'll tell you that  you're already subscribed and give you a link that tells you to update your account, BUT that has to be done via an email that is automatically sent to the email account on file from that point. And apparently you didn't get that far.
 
This GDPR update email was sent out directly to everyone on the list several weeks back with a button link to update your settings, and I think that avoids the whole 'prove you're not a robot' thing. Not 100% sure on how that works for our subscribers as a step-by-step process, since I'm the list owner. I am going to send out a targeted GDPR campaign to just your email with that update your settings link, and hopefully that will help you. If not, you may have to ask for someone in person to assist you with the recaptcha since that is part of the whole compliance thing, and not an option we picked out just for the fun of it. Sorry! 
 
 

Well, I didn't change anything in the way the newsletter was sent this week to the way it was sent last week in terms of our new subscriber list based on GDPR. And mailchimp shows that it was sent, but that you haven't opened or clicked it, of course. But you're not on the list of bounced emails either, so it went to your email. 
 
@Valkyrie @Headstall
 
If you're using Outlook to handle Hotmail, live, etc..., are you aware it has a 'gray mail' filter that categorizes mail that isn't exactly junk but isn't traditional email from senders on your contact list either? It's actually geared toward site/newsletter sign ups. But some people don't have the newsletter category visible in their inbox area, so they can't find the emails. You need to do a few things to check this. 
 
Step 1. Open Outlook (I use the online browser version, you can also use the app/desktop download)
Step 2. Go to the settings (cog wheel in upper right on online version)
Step 3. Click on the Options link. 
Step 4. Click on the 'Categories' link in the Layout area in the left sidebar. 
Step 5. Check if you're filtering newsletters without having the "Show in folder pane" box checked. If it's unchecked, then check that box. That should show the newsletter category in your folder area by the inbox, junk, etc... and anything that is automatically filtered as a newsletter will appear in that area. Or you can uncheck the filter box and have Outlook stop filtering emails it believes are newsletters. 
 
I've added a screenshot to show the areas I mean. 

 

Since members stated not having enough time to write was an issue for not participating in quarterly anthologies, but still wanted four themes total to write about each year, there are dual themes for each of the anthology events that happen in 2018. That means two different anthology categories are made live at the same time. Sure, we could just post links to the anthology categories in the announcement, but why do two different links to the anthology categories alone instead of just one link to the already existing blog post that explains what the anthologies are, thanks all the people who put in hard work to help make them happen on the site, and lists all the stories with links? Besides, those links to the categories would visually appear just like the link to the blog post would. 
 
To avoid downgrading the site's content rating, we don't want to duplicate content on the site, so it doesn't make sense to post the identical information in the announcement, so that's why just the link to the blog was added to bring more attention to the event as a whole. And hopefully more attention will translate to the next anthology, since it doesn't seem like having six months to write for one or both themes really helped increase the number of authors who had the time/inclination to enter a story in the event. 
 
Also, as with most websites, the title of a blog post is the link to the content itself. You don't have to click on the banner, then the blog post's title. All you have to do is click on the blog title in the announcement, just like you click on the title of a story or the title of a forum topic, etc... If you pay attention, you'll note that the old style of underlined/different colored link titles has changed and it's more common to see embedded text links that change color when you scroll over them to indicate they are a link. That is a drawback to those using touchscreens or adaptive technology, I agree, but we don't control the format the links now appear as on the forums as that is an IP Board feature.
 
 

If you make a small image that fits more than one picture on your profile banner, sure. But the one image on your profile is your banner, which is an overall 848x121ppi size. If you wish to share other pictures on the site, we do have a Gallery that you can add images to. This is primarily for images needed for story art, character inspiration, etc... All this information and more about customizing your profile and setting up gallery albums can be found in the FAQ through the Help tab in the red menu bar. 

Just because visual directions often help, here is how you can check the issues and disable/download/fix drivers that relate to black screen issues in Windows 8: http://www.windowswally.com/how-to-fix-graphics-driver-update-causing-black-screen-error-in-windows-8/
 
And here are a lot of links and options to screen issues fixes in Windows 10: https://www.drivethelife.com/windows-10/fix-display-video-graphics-problems-after-windows-10-update.html

Well, just think about what you described. Are they both in a similar place in their life and maturity? Clearly, if they grew up together, then yes, that would make them in a like-age group. 10 and 11 year olds can't do anything graphic, but  you said they were just friends to start of with anyhow And16 is the age of consent in most US states anyway. Sexual content would not be restricted.
 
You can always send me these kinds of story-specific questions via PM, btw.  

Okay, let's address this in an orderly fashion so I can be sure I cover everything. 
 
1) Yes, I can include alt-text in newsletter images. I will try that next week and you can PM me if you have any issues with it. 
2) Yes, I can include alt-text titles in images I post on the forums for games. I've just edited the image for the White Elephant game, if you'd like to check that. I will pass this along to site staff to ask them to do so for any posts they make as well. 
3) We will check what sort of features the site has for places like site banners, signatures, etc... 
4) User-generated content: I will include information in the faq topics where relevant about adding images suggesting people change the title to describe the image where that feature is allowed, but trying to require that take far too much moderation time to scan for new images added and contact members who don't know how to do this. 

Past issue, no longer relevant. Just giving this an answer to move it off the top of the page. 

We don't have a specific volunteer to do that. If someone notices it, they can let us know like you have done with this topic, and when a staff member has time we will try to get them fixed. Posting the link is very helpful, thanks! 

I think the person who asked that question on the other site is confused. You don't have to get a copyright in order to publish a manuscript into an eBook, and I've never even seen a contest that required it. You 'own' the copyright of anything you personally and solely create, and most websites or contests put the onus on the person by saying that by posting/entering you're agreeing that you have the rights or permissions to do that because you hold the copyright or a release of copyright. Then, if any question about ownership comes up,  you're the one left responsible if it comes out that you were lying. If you want to PROVE it, however, it's best to visit your country's website that governs copyright and look for the specific type of content and what you must do. In the US it's basically a form and a relatively low fee. It mostly comes in handy if you have to deal with plagiarists who are stealing money from you on a sale site like Amazon because they're more likely to pull your content if they don't think you own the right to publish it and furnishing a purchased copyright is the easiest way to prove ownership. 
 
That's why we come down so hard on plagiarists here. We want it publicly stated that they lied about what they said they created because it's not just a morally bankrupt action but a potentially legally liable one as well. 

Yes, Word is actually the preferred editor to copy text from to use in GA's text box. If you want the best visual result for the chapter, don't use fancy formatting as mentioned. In fact, it's best to use the option to remove formatting that will appear below the text editor as a clickable option once you've pasted in your text. That strips out indents and hidden formatting you might not see. It does also strip out italics and bold, so you have to place those back into the text if you have them, but as that is 'special formatting' in writing and shouldn't be used excessively anyway. 

Can't Stop Reading 

I believe you're seeing posts because you're part of the club, so of course it would track and show you the activity of an area you have 'permissions' for because that's the purpose of the All Activity option. Even if it says "All Activity" you're not seeing everything that happens all over the site. For instance, members wouldn't be aware of the post I made to alert site staff to my new schedule coming up for my job starting on the 30th, but my status update talking about it would show up for general members. That's because of where I made the posts and who is and isn't allowed to see those areas/features of the site. 
 
Just as a confirmation, I'm part of the Writer's Circle so I can see those posts, but I haven't yet joined The Pit, and I can't see a single post from the pit while I browse the 'All Activity list', no matter how far I go back (even as a staff member). I know Myr would have started a welcome/purpose of The Pit topic in there. 

We don't recommend trying to post at story to GA Stories via a mobile device. It tends to screw up the chapter text  formatting, including the spacing.