Serious Lack of Reviews

[Gamecrazy500]

I have noticed that over the past year or two the number of reviews on stories has plummeted. It is to the point now where a story with hundreds or even thousands of views has 0 OR 2 reviews! I have to say this is a serious demotivator to post anything new to my account or even do planned expansions to existing stories. What are your feelings and fustrations with the lack of reviews and what can be done to encourage people to leave a few words.

[BronxWench]

Yes, it can be demotivating, since it seems that only very specific fandoms or pairings garner any attention at all. However, I encourage you not to give up. You can feel free to ask for reviews in an author's note (as long as you don't suggest that future chapters will be withheld or delayed without reviews). I believe that at the moment, while we're rolling out new code in stages, the default is for anonymous reviews to be allowed, which also helps.

I try to review anything I read for pleasure. As an author, I know how much I like reviews, and I want to pass that on. I read in fandoms I might not write in, and sometimes I think that makes it harder for a fellow author to return the favor, but if they pay it up, and review another author, that's brilliant.

[SirGeneralSir]

most people that will review will just give the standard "good story keep it up" and not actually tell you anything about what they liked or didnt like, or its the flamers, think more about how many people are actually reading the story instead, its better to have readers that say nothing, than reviewers that read nothing.

[LockedBox]

It's frustrating, but ranting and raving about it will get you nowhere, as you end up putting off the few people who did leave reviews. Try to be proactive, thank the reviewers that you do have, be open and encouraging in your authors notes, set up a discussion thread and try to discuss things with your reviewers there and generally try to be as welcoming and open to criticism as you possibly can. Don't be afraid to cross post either, growing sites like AO3 tend to have more streamlined user interactive systems and search for fandom specific websites, while they're smaller they usually have a chattier userbase with a deeper knowledge of the fandom. If your writing original fiction, consider more professional sites like scribophile, I adore the message boards over there and the system is hardwired to ensure that every acceptable work receives feedback.

[BronxWench]

most people that will review will just give the standard "good story keep it up" and not actually tell you anything about what they liked or didnt like, or its the flamers, think more about how many people are actually reading the story instead, its better to have readers that say nothing, than reviewers that read nothing.

Actually, I disagree to an extent. Even a "Good story, keep it up!" review can provide a lot of motivation for a writer. It's certainly easier to garner hoards of reviews if you write in one of the more popular fandoms, or if you follow the more popular trends in Original fiction. For me, that just makes my few reviews the more wonderful.

Some of my most cherished reviews are the wonderful concrit my dear friend Shadowknight left for me. Sadly, real life has him far too busy to come and play with the deviants here, but he was a treasure as a reader and reviewer. However, the reaction from some authors, who delete reviews they think are unfavorable or reflect a lack of understanding on the part of a reader, will cause reviewers to stop reviewing.

If you take the time to leave a review, it means the author got a response from you. As an author, that's what I want. I want to know I got to you, good or bad. I also want to grow as a writer, and knowing what I did wrong is as valuable as knowing what I did right.

To touch on what LockedBox said, creating a thread to communicate with readers is a great way to build a loyal base of readers who'll review you. Readers love getting to know an author, and they might be more candid in a discussion thread than on a public review board as well.

Scribophile is a good workshop/writing group, but it's not really an archive, since non-paying members can only have two works at a time posted there. However, if you want to improve as a writer, it's a great place to belong. You actually need to review/critique to obtain points before you can post, so the entire site is involved in the review and critique of the submitted works. It's plentiful feedback, but again, it's not an archive. At some point, you'll need to either pay for membership, or move your reviewed, critiqued and polished works to an archive.

[JayDee]

Readers love getting to know an author,

They sure do! That's why I had to move back up the mountain and install guard marmots.

All seriousness aside, and further to the previous points made, I think another issue you might have is one that I also have had - flicking through, it appears that most of your stories are oneshot stories, that means that they're in the first few pages for a bit, and then gone, and waiting for someone to go look for that specific fandom/scroll down past more recent fics. There's an apparent habit that a lot of readers seem to operate on a "review new stories, but not bother too much with older ones" basis. I found that when I did multipart stories I generally ended up with more reviews per hitcount spread over multiple chapters than than my oneshots. I guess I just prefer oneshots and take that hit to reviews!

I quite like the five word "Liked it. Do more. MORE." reviews. Unless that's all I've had from someone I did a request for. Then it's kind've irksome. But that's a rant for another time, place, and state of sobriety.

Oh, and your My Friend DJ story - didn't get to read it, but was looking through for oneshots and it looks like the formatting has all been lost. Just a wall o' text! Which wasn't the style of the others I flicked in, so assuming not intended. Heads up for you there

[BronxWench]

Be warned -- the guard marmots are FEROCIOUS! ::nurses chewed ankles::

[Crystalandra]

Most definitely I must agree there are lack of reviews on this site. I originally joined to get reviews to see how good I was as a writer. I have not bothered to post any new stories due to this. One original story that I have left on, I have decided not to go out of my way to finish it because I have no way of knowing whether is it being enjoyed or not. It seems I have one reviewer who enjoys the story but that is about it.

But that's okay, I am not whining. There are other sites available on the internet where readers provide helpful reviews. I was lucky to be directed to one. I do not mind that I have to pay a membership fee because it is definitely worth it as it will make me a better writer.

[DemonGoddess]

You know, the review drops started when we kept getting spambombed in the review boards. I kept them locked down to logged in ONLY by default for a couple years because of it. Now, that anon reviews are enabled, it seems people are not paying attention to that.

[BronxWench]

Part of the problem as well is that people tend to stick to their fandoms of choice, both as readers and as authors looking for reviews. As a moderator, I have to read across the entire archive, in fandoms I might never otherwise go to on my own. I've found some wonderful things this way, and I'd encourage others to explore.

I will say, though, that even my boundless enthusiasm can take a hit when I'll read outside my areas of interest, leave reviews, and then hear an author I've reviewed remark that they don't read [insert fandom/genre of your choice here]. I write het, slash, and sometimes even SFW as the mood takes me. If you're going to ignore what I've written because you don't like het, or slash, or SFW because you can't muster the imagination to fap to it, then don't complain when you don't get reviews. I write a lot more original lately than fandom, so I won't even mess with treasured ships. Really, it makes me unlikely to continue to review those authors in what little free time I have.

Pay it up, people. For every review you get, leave two. In turn, those authors should go out and leave two more reviews each. In no time, we could have a lively community of engaged readers and authors, chatting happily in the forums about the reviews left in the archive. And we don't even charge a membership fee. Imagine that.

[SirGeneralSir]

for me its not about fandom really, its more about my kinks.

i love a good story thats just that, a good story and not a cheesy porn or it has elements of my other kinks like pregs, i like stories that have pregnant/impregnated women.

but most of all, i like a story that has a goal, like bob just trying to get to the store, its a demonic invasion, he has to fight the demons to get the milk so his kids can have breakfast

(milk commercial with the Rock)

when it comes to giving reviews, normally i would review every story that i was reading, but after time, i started to notice that 90% of the people who i was reading the story of or reviewing, weren't there anymore or never gave any kind of reply, it could just be me, but i like to know that there is someone on the other end at the very least thinking about what i said, even if they disagree at least hear me out.

[BronxWench]

And therein lies part of the problem as well.

Even if an author never responds to me when I review, it's still something I feel I should do if I've read a story for enjoyment. I think authors deserve that, and if they respond to my review, that's just icing on my cupcake.

[Gamecrazy500]

And therein lies part of the problem as well.

Even if an author never responds to me when I review, it's still something I feel I should do if I've read a story for enjoyment. I think authors deserve that, and if they respond to my review, that's just icing on my cupcake.

Exactly. The author is using his/her skills to provide entertainment free of charge, and all that the person is asking in return is that you leave a comment or two at the end. To me that seems like a fair trade.

[SirGeneralSir]

as someone writing, i can agree with that, but i'm also trying to improve my writing skills, maybe one day publish a book or something but who knows, ether way I would like to know what it is that people like or don't like in my story, could hate the plot but at least tell me why.

[BronxWench]

as someone writing, i can agree with that, but i'm also trying to improve my writing skills, maybe one day publish a book or something but who knows, ether way I would like to know what it is that people like or don't like in my story, could hate the plot but at least tell me why.

Exactly, and the authors you read but don't leave a review for probably feel the same way.

I'll stick to my original post. If you get a review, pay it up and review other authors. Start a reviewing renaissance.

[SirGeneralSir]

lol i try to, i really do, but there are times when little eyes that should be sleeping, are up and should not see the adds on this site

[BronxWench]

If it's safe to read, it's safe to review. I shall wag my finger at you in a terribly maternal manner, young man...

In all seriousness, though, I've had that happen, and what I do is bookmark the story in my browser so I can come back and leave a review. It's important to remember that our fellow authors thrive on reviews as much as we do.

[Dark_faerie]

I couldn't agree more! It is a huge motivator to get reviews, but I've noticed if I'm more laid back and specifically thank my silent readers for taking the time to read my fic, I get a nice little boost in ratings. I've learned if you're good to your readers, they'll be good to you.

Now I have the song "When You're Good to Mama" stuck in my head XD

[Miss_Emily]

I've seen a lot of really good stories that has gotten less attention because of the content not being as graphic, kinky or fetishistic as many of the stories here which I find sad. It's the same on DA.

If I find a story that I enjoy I review it (what I like and why, what I didn't like as much, language etc) but since I'm more or less super-glued to my school books I haven't read anything other than Pharmacology and Physiology for weeks now, lol!

[Lucy Ash Hawthorne]

I find that reviews give me what I need to write and the lack of them is very discouraging to the point where I have stopped posting and writing all together

[magusfang]

I have noticed that over the past year or two the number of reviews on stories has plummeted. It is to the point now where a story with hundreds or even thousands of views has 0 OR 2 reviews! I have to say this is a serious demotivator to post anything new to my account or even do planned expansions to existing stories. What are your feelings and fustrations with the lack of reviews and what can be done to encourage people to leave a few words.

Don't write for us, write for you!

I find that reviews give me what I need to write and the lack of them is very discouraging to the point where I have stopped posting and writing all together

again, write for you...the hell with anyone else!

[Lucy Ash Hawthorne]

Thanks for this advice

[Aysha c.c.]

I find that it helps to generate reviews if you try to get your fans involved in the creation of the story. In your A/N tell them to post suggestions for the story in their reviews. I also find that creating a review response thread and assuring your fans that you will respond to their reviews also helps to generate more reviews. Keep in mind that you should post the link to the review thread at the end of every chapter.

[BronxWench]

I find that it helps to generate reviews if you try to get your fans involved in the creation of the story. In your A/N tell them to post suggestions for the story in their reviews. I also find that creating a review response thread and assuring your fans that you will respond to their reviews also helps to generate more reviews. Keep in mind that you should post the link to the review thread at the end of every chapter.

Actually, speaking as a moderator for the moment, we don't encourage asking readers to suggest ideas in the review boards. That sort of thing is best taken to the forum, because there is a fine line between asking readers for ideas and posting a poll in the story, which is not allowed per our Terms of Service and Content Guidelines.

As a writer, I have been chastised for not including my review reply thread in each chapter, so I heartily second Aysha's recommendation there.

[Lucy Ash Hawthorne]

I have been thinking about doing that but it's not much use if the only reviewer I have is my best friend who I respond to over text anyway