E K Stokes

I appreciate you voting me into the top 10 in the Spicy Contemporary Romance section. I'm working on a sequel to The Cwtch, I hope I can make it as good as the first book, always a challenge!

It's a puzzle as to why on this site page views shown for the first chapter are always higher by a significant amount than the following chapters. I wonder if there isn't some bot scouring the first chapters of the stories, because it's the same for all stories. I publish elsewhere and this first chapter drop off does not happen. If I compare reader numbers of the two sites for my last published story those numbers are roughly the same at this point in time, ie. it's just finished publishing, on both sites, that is about 200 readers, with a slightly higher figure on the other site, which is easily explained by the size of the site. GA is a giant with hundreds of stories, the other site is very much smaller. Less choice equals a few more readers. You can see why I publish on a second site, because it doubles my readership, and for the bit of extra work I feel it's worth the effort. I'm not looking for an answer about the first chapter drop off numbers recorded here, just noting the phenomenon because if you are an author you may look at those numbers and think people read the first chapter and don't continue because they don't like your story. I am convinced this is not the case, not a true reflection of reader numbers, and I base this conclusion on the page views from the other site.

My experience of AwesomeDude is one of being rejected and told to rewrite the story I submitted. When I said I had received some positive comments here and only wanted - like you - to expand my audience, the guy basically said get lost and don't send us anymore of your stories find another site. We all start somewhere and hopefully improve, we don't need pompous, self-righteous responses. I think they were pissed at spending time giving advice I never asked for and wasn't going to take. I do listen and take on-board comments and suggestions about my writing, but I prefer to move forward with new stories than rewrite old ones. You decide if that site is worth your time, you have my experience. The other sites I can recommend are: IOMFATS and The Story Lover, but that said the best site is this one by miles!

It is fair to say between twenty to thirty percent of gay men have used drugs with sex, compared to under ten percent of heterosexual men. The story reflects this, although the large majority of men do not take drugs and I can appreciate your reticence about drug taking, I do not wish in any way to endorse taking drugs, it can be dangerous and risky, not simply from a health point of view, but also from the aspect of losing control of what is going on.

It is a compliment. It's a great story and very, very, well written.

Well, the answers are nearly all in this chapter, how Giancarlo is immortal for as long as the soul tree stands. I could say this chapter was a little overindulgent, except it fits with the story, but one in a genre that is not proclaimed. This is clearly a paranormal story, or fantasy, or demonic mystery, it may have romance, but is not primarily a romantic drama in the real world or the real world with a little mystery, and for that reason it crashes my expectations because it isn't the story I wanted to read. No offence, it's very well written, but it's a different genre to that announced, and for that reason disappointing, especially so because I've discovered the fantasy, mystical, paranormal after many long chapters and a certain attachment to the main characters. This express journey chapter through the centuries and endless reincarnation ends it for me.

The impression given that more was revealed is true only to the point of the question which revolves around immortality. Interesting point that the inner light is consumed in a ritual which appears the same spanning centuries: His mouth found Theron’s ear. “Turn over.” ...Theron turned. He felt Kyros’s hands spread him,... Theron’s fingers dug into the mattress... Kyros fucked him slowly.

The dining room scene, the consummation of Devin, which Giancarlo forced Luka to witness was imbued with a diabolic eroticism which reminded me of Pasolini, Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma. It was crafted with exquisite skill, leading the reader deeper into the unfolding story without truly understanding where things are leading. More questions than answers, except for the feeling Luka is the inevitable major prize. If Giancarlo succeeds in dominating Luka the triumph will be so much greater.

An excellent second chapter that was not only erotic, it was powerful, even Machiavellian. Giancarlo is the maestro, the master of ceremonies who knows that he will subjugate Luka to his will, he will not force him, he will not need to, Luka will beg him, and some truths will get revealed.

I think @Luca E you ask a very interesting question. I've never thought about it, so I simply followed my search process and noted it down: Looked at recent stories list you always get presented with. Looking for stories just started or with only a few chapters. Ignored the only two on the list because they were both book 2 of a series. Clicked STORIES and worked down the list. Hunger & Habit, didn't understand the summary. Lost in the Sand, good summary, possible read. The Cockney Canuck, on hold, ignored. Shooting Stars, also on hold, ignored. Monstrum, good summary, possible read. Strife, fan fiction, not my thing. Futile Devices, good summary, possible read. So there you have my process, I will open chapter one of one of those three possible reads and if it grabs me, I'll read that story. Which will I open first, it could be either Monstrum or Futile Devices looking at tags and genre. I opened Monstrum first, it didn't grab me, I opened Futile Devices next and it hooked me completely. Why? Because it was showing me a scene not telling me a story. So now I'm going to read that story and take the risk it gets updated frequently and finished. And it is a risk!

You all, @Luca E, @Gary L, @Ivor Slipper, @drsawzall, @chris191070, deserve a mention for your nice, supportive comments, plus other readers who have commented along the way. If I get inspired with a good plot, good enough to make another 40k story with these characters, then I'll write it, but I have a few other projects I'm also working on, so I make no promises which I might not keep.

I recognise there are conventions with publishing novels and one such convention is the author has a name, nom de plume, or real, and the format is either initials or first and last name. Online publishing is essentially the same as printed, ebook publishing, but does not always follow this convention. It's a mix of traditional and current mode, where traditional is a proper name, current mode copies influencers, YouTubers, bloggers. Its like the site itself, a mixture of novels, stories, blogs, and forum. Back to the topic, do author names influence me? Yes, but not too much. Just the same as a cover image, the title, but very much less of an influence than a good summary by the author or a proper review. I think these last two have much more influence on my choice than what the author chooses to call him or herself, but that said, an author's choice of name does say something about them, although I'm not always sure what, except for the obvious like the horsey writers and Mikiesboy.

The noise and hectic chaos of the afternoon shift at the pub had given way to the quiet sanctuary of the flat. Harry and Callum sat in the living room, outside the sun was shining and the light spread across the floorboards as they unwound with a cold beer. "So," Harry started, a subtle smirk playing across his lips as he nudged Callum’s foot with his own. "Are we going to talk about Matt, or are you just going to keep smiling at your phone?" Callum let out a soft, rueful sigh, setting

The following week Harry was working behind the bar of The Red Lion when one of the customers, not anyone he knew, leant over to make a request, not to order a drink. The guy was probably twenty something, fit, well built, close cropped hair and smelt of eau savage which wafted over the counter. "Can you get me that guy's number?" he asked, indicating Callum who was serving at the other end of the bar. Harry was surprised, it was the first time anyone had made that kind of advance. "

Yeah, I think everyone needs a Noah in their life!