The unreviewed.

Not sure how the other groups do it, but in medieval/fantasy, we start a thread for our work and post there when we need feedback on something specific. It's worked for me so far, though I'm still a bit of a newbie as well.

-Elisheva

Surely, I know not of what you speak. Seriously, though, every one of those comments are very helpful.

-Elisheva

Once upon a time on a site far far away (i.e. the older version of this one) I more than once suggested that all members be required to occasionally review a work with less than the 3 reviews which was semi-implied by joining the site. Of course that was met with vigorous opposition which mainly focused on the fact that no one wanted to be "forced" to read something they didn't want to read/review. I politely pointed out that we are already "forced" to read works from the list which is presented on site; you can't read something not published on site to get review points which we all need to publish our own works. And any "mandatory" list containing all works with less than 3 reviews would merely be an sub set from the list we are already "required" to choose from. Choosing ones which you like or are reciprocating from that list is just a side effect so to speak and regardless of our reason for choosing, we still are "mandated" to choose something from the overall list provided.

To me, it would be no big deal to be "mandated" to choose from a separate list on occasion to retain the privilege of publishing our work on site. But, alas, such a notion went over about as well - and probably still would - as a fart in a closed room. As we already receive bonus points (not very substantial)  for reviewing works with less than 3 reviews, it doesn't seem likely that merely adding another thread to "showcase" them is going to make much difference. What might work, however would be to greatly enhance the number of points for the first three reviews. Say, you received triple the regular points for the first review, double for the second, and 1.5 for the third review. That might be enough to entice those in need of quick points to sift through the list for those with less than 3 reviews. But who knows? It would certainly imho create a better climate for those works than a simple thread asking for volunteers. Probably most who would volunteer are already doing so to at least some degree. The added points would certainly be a blessing for newbies who needed to build credits quickly to post their work.

Just throwing it out there again for what it's worth. Just for the record, for me and probably lots of others, the added points would make no difference in my reviewing habits, but it just might draw attention from lots of folks who need those extra points and would serve to give the neglected authors more of a fair shake in getting a minimum of reviews. It might be likened to affirmative action and probably be just as controversial, but sometimes it is needed and does work. Take care. Vern

I think there are writers who do come on and don't understand the system,  plus reviewing does not come easy to many of us.
I'd imagine you could also consider this proposed group as a, "Boot camp," on how to use TNBW.
RE: Swoppies, the Quid pro quo. I've reviewed  a few people and never heard anything back, and this is experienced members.
Anyway, this is why I ut the idead out there, to get feed back.
Is it just me or is the forum dead compared to the old site?

Thanks Dave

Good idea! It's difficult to find people who are willing to engage in a one-for-one review relationship, but when you do find them, it becomes such a great learning experience!

I'd say, there's proofreading for "review" and there's reviewing for review and comment. Proofreading, even for those who are good at it, is boring and never pays very well for the time spent in free time or compensated time.  On the other hand, it takes a reviewing professional to review something not at all to one's tastes, so the balkanization comes from few (probably no) people having wide ranging interests in reading material. Certainly, it is a pointless exercise to comment (other than proofreading) on literary fiction as if the purpose is commercial/popular gain, and on vampire-zombie romance as if it were high art.

And, to make my point again on how each may have his own goal in reward, a good writer might have one or two actual writing mistakes in several thousand words, and another will have dozens in the same number of words. The (technically) bad writer will be rewarded with a proofreading review of five corrections in the first paragraph, and presumably get the point that the rest is of similar quality, and the good writer will have no reward at all because he is good.

LOL! Thanks for another good laugh Charles. Take care. Vern

We can't make those judgements until time has passed.

The world is changing.  It's been changing since hunter-gatherers settled down to become farmers.  We can encourage people to treasure the old, including old arts and skills.  Maybe they do, maybe the change seems to be really better.

That judgement is for history.  All we can do is try to make it.

I think the problem is that medium has become more important than the message, the reverse of the Gutenburg revolution. Or, maybe it is a tech monster grown from the Gutenburg revolution.  High quality (in form, substance, artistry, production value) in music cannot carry on in ipod/smartphone era, so the stuff becomes all the same mediocre pablum; perhaps ebooks will do the same to fiction -- then people will get over it and move on into something more exciting and leave behind the novel unless the novel fills a special niche in art as it originated in.