Most of the time I did, usually adding a gentle reminder what a review should cover and look like. If they returned for the next post, they usually did better. In fact, several of them are now writing very well indeed, now that they knew how to do it right.
Bill
For most of my posts, I put them out there in the general public domain. The responses are usually mixed, but I'd say I get around 15-20% fluff and the rest legitimate reviews. Over the years I've been a member of Booksie, I've built up a good readership that helped me a great deal. I review them as often as they review me.
Lately (the last couple of years) I've not posted anything at all. This was due to several reasons, not the least of which was poor health. Now that I've popped back up on the grid after my quad-bypass, I'll try and get more posts out there.
Points mean mostly nothing to me. I have currently just about 1000 points. If I need them, I can use them, but posting on Booksie dosen't require them, so no big deal.
Bill
Another:
robinsmith
And another:
johnidicula
Bill
It's mot the spammers I'm worried about. It's the plagiarizers. Every once in a while I put the first paragraph of any one of my postings into a search engine and see what pops out. Found a lot of them that way.
Bill
Just verified Kdot's info. There are several ways to copy the posts though. I won't mention them here but it requires just a little knowledge of the control codes for a given page and the browser you are using.
Bill
MJ: Booksie will not let you highlight nor copy any of the postings. It's in place after several works were found out in public sites--mine included.
As for making the type larger, hold down the Ctrl key and roll your mouse. Most browsers will respond by making the page itself larger. CTRL and the "+" and "-" keys will work as well. Ctrl and the number "0" will bring the page back to normal size.
Bill
Take a look at this one, Dirk. Sounds like an ad to me, but one never knows. He's made it restricted, so I can't see what he's advocating.
Snehal
Bill
Hi, MJ. My username on Booksie is the same as here. Their search function is none too great. I'll see if I can find you and try it from that direction.
EDIT: No luck. Apparently, you can't search for a specific author. Try searching for one of my posts. Give "Wanderlust" or "Snowbound!" a try.
Bill
Good idea, Dirk. I was looking at the problem from one angle and you the other. Anyone can join, but have the requirements spelled out in detail as to what we expect from the members of the House.
Bill
The only thing I can see that we should NOT do is set ourselves up as an elite group on Booksie. The clientele on Booksie may be young, but they're pretty perceptive. A lot of social media which encompasses "younglings" might resent a group they might be interested in, but is guarded by rules and regulations so stringent they cannot come aboard. Having said that, however, I also feel some sort of review panel might be in order to scan through the applications to the Advanced Writer's Group to weed out those not serious enough. Perhaps we could require a more serious bio than the little bit posted as a profile, or even add an optional request for a sample of their writing. After all, us, as senior writers, should encourage everyone to become better than they are.
Bill
Most of the books/short stories I've posted here on TNBW I've also posted on Booksie. So, in my case, no duplicative efforts need me made. I, too, have noticed the slow pace of postings on Booksie. It seems a lot of new accounts are being created every day, but none of them seem to be posting--or reviewing--other's works. The 'number of reads' system seemed to work for a while, but I now think a lot of the "reads" are simply bots who jump from post to post, but never leave anything behind other than one more "read."
As far as enhancements go, I'd love to see a much better way of deleting your followers other than 10 (or less) at a time. A simple check box would suffice, then click a button that gets rid of all the checked accounts. I have gone back to my early days and found scores of people who left Booksie ten years ago and have never returned, yet, they still appear in my fan list. Looks impressive, but I like my account to be a little more lean and mean.
Bill
Another newcomer:
pavingcotswold
Bill
Another:
tcruk586
Bill
Another one just joined:
Livstudio ----> Interior designers from Chandigarh, India
Bill
I think you nailed it by your example, Dirk. The third "e" changed the dynamic from two "e"s (ie) to whatever you want. Add a fourth "e" and you'll stretch it out more.
Bill
I'm pretty sure "watkinsayden81" had something in their profile that indicated a business of some sort. I have them blocked, which is what I do for every account I post here as a spammer. Looks like the account is clean now, though. Let it ride.
Bill
Thanks, Dags. Much appreciated.
Bill
Had yet another visit to the hospital two weeks ago. While in the rehab facility following the bypass, I caught some sort of crud going around. It filled my lungs and caused me to head for the ER with lights and siren. I couldn't breathe and it was all attributed to "congestive heart failure." I don't remember a complete 24-hour period, but I woke up with a tube down my lungs for another day and a half. Doc says the first responders saved my life. Now I'm happy I always voted more money for them every election.
Bill
Wonderful news, MJ. I felt the same way once my cancerous kidney was removed 20 years ago. Nothing is more pleasurable than getting a clean bill of health from competent professionals.
Bill
Here's a Betting Parlor:
Asiatopaplikasi
Bill
So sorry to hear this, Alan. Special prayers for the both of you.
Bill
Here's another:
mitchellmarsh820
And another:
watkinsayden81
Bill
Oh, no, Marylin. So sorry to hear this. Upcoming times will hard to get through, I know for a fact, but I'm praying you'll endure and get back to us in fine form. It can be done, it just takes a while.
Bill
Outstanding, Randy. You deserve every bit of it.
Bill
Both my children have promised me they will do the same for me and/or my wife. Having had this close-up view of the level of assistance given to those who have been forced into care homes, and will never leave under their own steam, I do not wish to come here again. I am over 80 (soon to be 82) and my health has improved greatly since the bypass. I hope both my wife and I continue in relatively good health now that we've reached out 60th year of marriage.
A big round of applause to your healthcare insurance, Alan. A huge improvement over some companies I can name.
Bill
