My Op-Ed of FanStory
This piece is my review of FanStory.5 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Golly. I agree with most of your essay, but disagree with posting without promoting. You say that you don't promote your work, therefore, you are asking other writers to give of their time to read your work without compensation. Sort of like literary welfare. Promotion points allow writers to earn them to post their own work. The only solution would be to do away with the point system, as you suggest. Then there would be no enticement of any kind for anyone to read anyone else's work under that system. Sort of like communism, which has failed miserably. I always promote my work and most people do. IF I have time, and IF the writing is absolutely stellar, I will review some authors' works that I admire. I believe most Fanstorians are of this same opinion. Reviewing time is limited for all of us. Marilyn
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2018
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Hi Golly. I agree with most of your essay, but disagree with posting without promoting. You say that you don't promote your work, therefore, you are asking other writers to give of their time to read your work without compensation. Sort of like literary welfare. Promotion points allow writers to earn them to post their own work. The only solution would be to do away with the point system, as you suggest. Then there would be no enticement of any kind for anyone to read anyone else's work under that system. Sort of like communism, which has failed miserably. I always promote my work and most people do. IF I have time, and IF the writing is absolutely stellar, I will review some authors' works that I admire. I believe most Fanstorians are of this same opinion. Reviewing time is limited for all of us. Marilyn
Comment Written 16-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2018
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Thank you, BeasPeas, for your comments. I understand that reviewing time is limited for writers, but you made a point for me. You stated that "IF you have time and IF the writing is absolutely stellar," you will authors' works that you admire. FanStory has writers at all levels of the craft. So what happens if a writer isn't at the top of his or her craft? What happens if no one reads and gives feedback? Then the writer has wasted their money. When they advertise their services, most professional writers/editors don't ask if the work is stellar already. The writer pays them to help make it stellar. Again, thank you for your comments.
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Hi Golly. Many people won't read unpromoted work. I'm probably an exception. I do read others works if not promoted when I have time.
My mailbox is usually full with the work of those I admire and who DO promote, so they get first crack at my time.
Sooner or later to maximize exposure, you may want to consider the value of promoting your work. I don't know how long you have been on the site, but we all had to work our way up through the ranks. Some are able to do this faster than others. We all "pay our dues." That's the way FanStory works. You can either lurk in the background and "hope" people will read your stuff or not. It's up to you. I make it a practice to read work of newcomers and if I like what they write will continue to do so. Some well-known people on the site don't promote either, but they still have fans. I think it's arrogant to expect others to give their time to those writers who don't value their own work enough to promote it. But that's just my POV. So my opinion can be taken with a grain of salt. The main thing is to enjoy yourself and write what you want for yourself, whether promoted or not. Marilyn
Comment from meeshu
this seems to be an honest piece, Golly. and you have addressed issues that are not of importance to me. all I want out of FS is to read and write and get better at my craft...........meeshu
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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this seems to be an honest piece, Golly. and you have addressed issues that are not of importance to me. all I want out of FS is to read and write and get better at my craft...........meeshu
Comment Written 08-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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Thank you, meeshu, for your comments. I believe honesty is the best policy.
Comment from giraffmang
hi there,
A clear and cohesive op-ed piece you've penned here. I agree about the continually rolling prompts/contests. they are a real pain.
I don't think very many people pay to advertise their work, certainly not real money. It is 100% feasible to promote well just from the pretend proceeds from reviewing.
FanStory should allow authors to promote their entire profiles so an interested fan can read all of an author's work for one price - if folk are interested there is nothing stopping them from reading an author's portfolio. if you don't promote work, what do you do with the funny money earned?
I would say though that there are quite a few writers operating above 'college-level' and quite a few published authors as well.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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hi there,
A clear and cohesive op-ed piece you've penned here. I agree about the continually rolling prompts/contests. they are a real pain.
I don't think very many people pay to advertise their work, certainly not real money. It is 100% feasible to promote well just from the pretend proceeds from reviewing.
FanStory should allow authors to promote their entire profiles so an interested fan can read all of an author's work for one price - if folk are interested there is nothing stopping them from reading an author's portfolio. if you don't promote work, what do you do with the funny money earned?
I would say though that there are quite a few writers operating above 'college-level' and quite a few published authors as well.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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Thank you, giraffmang, for your comments. My point about paying and promoting one's work is that a member must pay "real money" to get "funny money" if they don't have any funny money to promote a piece. An author can use more of their funny money to enter more contests. I agree with your comment that some published authors are operating above college-level, which includes me. I have been published and earned a degree in English. My point was that FanStory does have high-quality features.
Comment from Raul1
Excellent review! I agree with you that writers should get a chance to revise their works and not be left out from winning prizes. Fanstory is a great way for writers to get recognized for their own stories. I liked your overview of Fanstory.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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Excellent review! I agree with you that writers should get a chance to revise their works and not be left out from winning prizes. Fanstory is a great way for writers to get recognized for their own stories. I liked your overview of Fanstory.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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Thank you, Raul1, for your comments. I didn't state that writers couldn't revise their works. I stated that authors had to pay for the promotion of their individual pieces, which reminds me of a vanity press. I agree that FanStory is a great way for authors to get recognized for their stories.
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You're welcome. Now I know what you are talking about. Thanks for clearing it up for me.
Comment from judiverse
These are great comments about FanStory. I think you are "fair and balanced," as the saying goes, pointing out both good and bad features. You mention the cost, and that is certainly a factor. It isn't the cost of joining that does it, it's the extra cost of promoting your work. I'm glad you see the advantage of entering contests and promoting your work. Promoting your work is the only way you get the reviews. As to the contest you mentioned, I don't know about that one in particular, but sometimes contests are delayed because at least 5 entries are required for the contest to go. Your comments are right on, and best of luck in the contest. judi
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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These are great comments about FanStory. I think you are "fair and balanced," as the saying goes, pointing out both good and bad features. You mention the cost, and that is certainly a factor. It isn't the cost of joining that does it, it's the extra cost of promoting your work. I'm glad you see the advantage of entering contests and promoting your work. Promoting your work is the only way you get the reviews. As to the contest you mentioned, I don't know about that one in particular, but sometimes contests are delayed because at least 5 entries are required for the contest to go. Your comments are right on, and best of luck in the contest. judi
Comment Written 08-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018
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Thank you, judiverse, for your comments and good luck wishes. I was taught in school that an essay like an op-ed should point out the good points and the bad points. The contest I entered has more than 5 entries, but has been delayed many, many times.
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You're welcome. Excellent article. judi
