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Deepest condolence, Max. Wishing you new strength in time. Take care. Vern

Why don't you start your own group (njc's feedback or whatever) and everyone you review can join at your invitation and create their own thread for their work with all the comments back and forth you could wish for. Everyone can subscribe to whatever thread they want and get alerts and if there are any problems, well, at least you know who to call. Good luck. Take care. Vern

Yes, I understand  you wouldn't get alerts, but if all the reviewers were notified then they would simply have to check. I for one don't rely on alerts to visit the forums, simply look for any action. The same could be true in your simulated forum if folks were interested enough to participate. As stated, it is not ideal, but then what world is. Take care. Vern

I know it's not ideal, but since Sol has made his position clear on not changing the forum format (you can still keep your fingers crossed for a change of heart), you could use the inline review to create your own forum. If you select the first word of the first chapter to start your discussion, then you could simply keep adding back and forth comments to create a forum simulation. Anyone could pitch in if so inclined just like other forums - of course they could also be blocked if so desired.  True, it might be like a fly buzzing in your ear at first, but you should become an accomplished swatter fairly quickly. One peripheral benefit could be that since you are already in the work being discussed you could go more quickly to any chapter which might be alluded to by using the options available without having to leave an outside forum to go to the work at hand. Just a thought and better than nothing perhaps. Take care. Vern

They have so many imprints, it would probably fit one if there is any type romance. You do have to pick which imprint to submit to for the contest. Take care. Vern

Best suggestion is to think of someone you know who would sound like your character, then write the dialogue as you would imagine the familiar voice would say it. Use a distinctly different person for each character. And it doesn't really have to be someone you know on a personal level - could even be another fictional character - just as long as you are familiar with the way they talk; maybe an actor, sports figure, newscaster, etc. But of course the more familiar you are with them, the easier to simulate their dialogue. Take care. Vern

I would never get mad over anything like this; I only try to clarify questions posed and my sometimes obviously not so clear explanations. Take care. Vern

Yes, if you post a poem as a short story or novel chapter, then you will "cheat" the system; assuming you are talking about a short poem and not an epic poem, then the very few words would require a fraction of the cost to post those same words as a poem.

You can cheat any system as you should be aware with all the hacking going on in the news. Why impose such a system in the first place is a rather meaningless question unless you think that everything must be done the same way. We write our stories the way we see fit, Sol makes his rules according to what he envisions. We don't all do things the same way; the most we can hope for is to be like Frank and at the end of the day, we can say, "I did it my way." Take care. Vern

Poems vs novels/short story points: This has been bandied about many times and I doubt Sol is going to change it this time either. The problem is you're comparing apples to oranges as far as points are calculated. But if you review and write only poetry, your ratio of points to publish over points received to review will be almost exactly what you receive to publish and review novels or short stories. Do the math and you will see. How the points are calculated exactly on a per word basis doesn't really matter, it is set up and Sol has explained it before, to keep a more balanced activity between the two different worlds. Think of it as a currency exchange; if you earn money in one country, it is not going to be worth the same amount in another country. So too, on this site, if you earn points in poetry and try to spend them in novels or vice versa, the rate exchange is not going to be the same no matter how much one thinks it unfair. Take care. Vern

Not the first time and pretty sure it won't be the last, but I'm going against the grain here. I just don't see adding extra points for the later chapters making any significant difference. If someone is reviewing the story merely for points, probably not the best confidence builder. Extra points for later chapters would make no difference to me; if I'm going to review it, then I'll review it regardless.

I treat reciprocal expectation the same way; if I enjoy the work it will make no difference if the author reciprocates or not. I've reviewed several with little or no reciprocation and I've been reviewed by several with little reciprocation - I'm talking entire novels here, not just a few chapters or a short story.

If I were going to pay beyond the predetermined point value, I'd simply hire a professional editor after sampling some of their work to make sure it is what I would expect for the outlay. That is not to say some on this site would not do just as good a job, but very few would if we look at it realistically. And if someone meets your criteria on site you could at least suggest a private arrangement for payment in whatever currency was mutually satisfactory - if points were all they wanted, you could simply let them do drive-by reviews ( to include copy and paste) of everything you write without even reading and stock up the credits until the payment is fulfilled. Just paying someone points from a built up stash is not going to entice very many great reviewers imo. Most of the great reviewers have (or will shortly) accumulated more points than they will probably ever need. And as said, cash could be worked out privately with anyone willing and acceptable.

From a logical standpoint, what would be the difference in actual reviews received if more points were added for later chapters. That would not mean they are going to magically read all your chapters any more than they already are; after all, everybody else is getting those extra points for their chapters too and any mass change in reading patterns is highly unlikely. Everything would still be relatively the same.  I don't see any advantage in the suggested changes, but that is just my opinion. Take care. Vern

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Take care. Vern