Some of the newer members might not be aware of this...
When someone takes the time to review your work it's a common courtesy to reply in kind. Even if it's just a simple thank you, that little bit of communication lets the reviewer know that you saw and appreciate their effort.
JP, I rarely edit anything until I'm in that writing mode. I don't mind multiple comments on something because that generally means it DOES need my attention. Like Janet said, everyone's process is different--none being right or wrong.
Linda, for new works, why not use the Read->Groups Content page? From there you can see all works posted to groups you are a member of, and filter by genre or story type. You can also see which works pay points. Admittedly, if someone posts to the Horror or YA groups, for example, without also posting to Premium/Free, then I won't see it.
Dirk
That's the point Dirk, without being connected, or joined to groups, there is no easy way to find new content to review. We're missing SO much by being forced into tiny boxes.
Janet posted this awesome link out on the member forums...thought I would share it here for those that don't read those premie forums:
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-edi … ou-in-2015
HA! Found the link:
Awesome sauce!
Sol, posting this here because it relates to this discussion in a big way...hope you see it.
Taking some time over the last month to really look at the functionality of the new site, I think I’ve narrowed down most of the largest complaints to two simple missing functions: the lack of a single global member forum (with header controls), and the lack of a single global listing for new uploaded works. Without these two things, the largest complaint and issue I think most of us long-time members are suffering from is the isolation factor.
It’s like you spent all this time building this giant new Facebook interface for writers. The problem with that is on a deeper level, the workshop aspects that most of us have grown to know and love, are all but gone because of the deep sense of isolation this new interface fosters.
First, without a global feed of uploaded work, it is extremely difficult to see or be seen. And if the only easy way of seeing and being seen is to “connect” with virtually everyone, then what’s the point of adding that layer at all? Why not just go back to having a single global listing?
I had envisioned the “connection” feature to be an added layer; i.e. a way to deepen the connection with those you’re in a reciprocal relationship with…not as THE only functional means to operate on the site.
Further, because the ‘connection’ feature automatically populates our personal homepage listings, our home pages become like Facebook feeds. But at least FB gives you some filtering choices, and allows you to set those perimeters in terms of what you see on your feed. I’m not as inclined to blindly accept every request to connect because of the lack of filtering. Too much uncontrollable clutter otherwise.
I know you said you’d be bringing back our old forums—thank God for that, but until then even the group function is suffering a lot. People are all over the place trying to figure out a way to globally connect—and they can’t. Your choice of forum interface doesn’t in any way promote lively discussion or sub-discussion anymore because we can’t create new threads under a single heading. We have to get good at group surfing and invest double or triple the amount of time in order to go through all those forums just to find the few nuggets of useful or valuable information that someone puts out there. Big time sink, and quite frankly, a giant waste of precious time.
Meeting new authors and seeing available works used to be a simple, at-a-glance process that most of us are sorely missing.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many things I absolutely love about this new interface, but for each good thing, there are many extremely valuable facets that this interface has crushed. Most of us old members are still struggling, but I can’t imagine how horrible this isolated factor must be for new members. They have to invest hours upon hours sourcing writers and hope those writers will be willing to return the request to ‘connect’ before they ever really get much action in terms of reads and reviews. Yes, there are ways to do this successfully for the studious writers, but not all of them are that experienced or that studious. I really hate the thought that I’m probably missing out on some very good writing because there’s no way to access one global listing. I really feel for the newbie writers. We used to shower those people with welcomed support and guidance, and can’t really do that now because they aren’t easily visible to us anymore.
We all know you are working hard to bring back some of the features we’ve been asking for, but I do wish you’d give some serious consideration to making both global listings (as a drop down choice “all new uploads” on the read tab), and a single global member forum (the old style with header control) your first major priorities.
Thanks, and happy New Year!
LeeAnn
None of them linked Janet. I think you have to use code to turn them all into links.
Thanks Dags, I put a sticky on this for future use.
For now you can use the group OLD FORUMS that I created so those of us who migrated from the old site have a central spot until Sol recreates our old style forums. The more people we get joined to that group, the easier it will be to keep in touch until things evolve in a positive way here.
Welcome back Pam. Dirk covered the big stuff so no need to repeat. For now, until Sol recreates our old forums, you can find many of us here on this one. Hope the transition goes well for you.
Ditto what everyone else said, but I have noticed a weird anomaly when using the highlight function in an IL review. Left to right will highlight everything after the text you wish. Right to left works well, but only if you aren't on the edge of the page.
Actually, by far, bookbaby leads the pack in distro channels around the globe. TNBW is also partnering with them I do believe. As far as Smashwords, I've heard good things from a few folks but have no first hand experience. I did go check out their distro when I saw your post though 
A bug I hadn't noticed before is happening. I have a review reply that won't stop notifying me because the author disabled the content I reviewed. The system isn't registering that I've seen the message.
This should be fixed. Let me know if it is still a problem.
It's still showing up as unread on my homepage.
That's perfect Sol, thanks!
A bug I hadn't noticed before is happening. I have a review reply that won't stop notifying me because the author disabled the content I reviewed. The system isn't registering that I've seen the message.
Another wishlist item to add.
This one deals with navigation. It's cumbersome that every I read and respond to a review, and submit my response, the navigation doesn't return me to the previous screen. Instead of going back to the review listings page that I navigated FROM, submit takes you elsewhere (the chapter itself). Then, to continue working on replying to reviews, you have to re-navigate back to the review listings page to continue. This happens with a lot of functions and makes navigation a real mess.
So are these trolls paying for a premium membership to post spam?
Who knows how he'll handle it on the new site, but he did post that the contest will begin next month. I'm assuming he'll make an announcement and open a group for it. I'm going to make a new project in the portfolio with only the 3 chapters and put (SS) in brackets after the title. That way I'll be able to tell the difference and only be paying to post only those 3 chapters as opposed to the 40 of the full novel.
A step by step account to self publishing could be rather long to detail. The hardest part (for me) ...well 2 things...was first getting through the formatting correctly the first time. These days there are a ton more resources out on the internet with plenty of step by step to be had as far as that goes. The second thing is platform. I didn't have much of one at the time, and as much as I believed in myself and my product, I didn't realize what a HUGE time-sink marketing and self promotion would be. I went in all cocky about marketing because I'd been doing it professionally for musical acts for years. Unfortunately for me, there was a BIG difference. I will be doing it again soon, but with a whole different expertise, pen name, and approach
I haven't been traditionally published with a novel yet. I do have an agent and have had 2 offers, both of which I turned down (both were smaller vanity press offers and not very attractive). I'm still hopeful. You should hop on some of the blogs out there--a ton of authors blog their own step by step journeys. And there are a few agents out there who blog as well--two good ones are Janet Reid and Kristin Nelson.
As far as resources--there are millions. Just type Self Publishing in a browser and you'll be there for weeks collecting links and useful bits of info. When I did it most of the great services available now weren't around. Two good places to start would be Createspace & Bookbaby. Pay attention to package offerings and distribution channels. Some places like Bookbaby will often bundle valuable packages together for a reasonable price. Bookbaby also has a proven track record for successful distribution. I've been using them on the music side (CDBaby) for years and love them.
I'd provide more links but I've recently changed computers and can't figure out how to get my old explorer bookmarks to successfully input into my firefox browser with this stupid windows 8. Grr!
Hope that helps.
I don't know how you do that Janet. I can work on multiple shorts, or smallish pieces at once, but not novels. I guess if I outlined it wouldn't be as bad but still, once I immerse into the characters and their world, I stick with them until the rough is done. Editing and rewriting on the other hand doesn't effect me the same way. It's detailed and picky but not nearly as mentally taxing to me.
Still wondering why I can't write in-line reviews. I highlight the area I want to critique, and the comment box doesn't appear. I can't earn points, can't proofread, cant leave comments. What's up?
Huh? You've been reviewing my wip using the in-line system.
Saw that today--thank you!
Slightly off topic. Question:
How many member here actualy try to get their work published through the original method of sending hard copies; and or, sending a digital copy to a publishing house?
Lots, but I think more and more lately writers are leaning more heavily toward self-publish. I'm still working with an agent however because I'm very keen on the foreign market and movie rights which is very hard to do with self publishing unless you reach sales in the amaze-balls range.
The minute I get done with uploading Sister Margaret, I'll be finishing up on my romantic suspense novel Whose Paddy Is He Anyway? It's the second of a 3 part series.
I echo the request to address this multiple posting thing in some fashion (not limiting though!). There are a couple of free members posting the same works several times a day, as well as multiple others at the same time. I have to arrow over twice just to see any uploads from other writers. The drop down suggestion would help but that wouldn't do anything for someone posting 4+ different works at a time.
