rusty_halo (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rusty_halo) wrote2003-06-26 07:00 pm
rusty_halo) wrote2003-06-26 07:00 pm
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(no subject)
New rule for AllAboutSpike: when someone submits a story, they can choose from two options if I decide to reject it. Option one: I don't inform them at all. Option two: I reply with "No thanks." That's the only explanation they'll get. They can choose which they'd prefer when they fill out the story submission form.
I'm no longer sending detailed explanations as to why I reject stories. If I'm going to keep running the site (which is still kind of up in the air right now) I need to get rid of the aspects that send me into the kind of stressed out panic that makes me never want to turn on my computer again. And this is definitely one of those.
I'm so sick of the rude, angry, bitter, and/or on-the-surface-polite-but-underhandedly-pissed passive-agressive responses that I receive just about every time I reject a story. I feel bad because a few writers have told me that they appreciated my detailed explanations, but I can't do it anymore. I have several hundred stories to sort through; do you have any idea how much time it would take me to 1) read every story thoroughly, 2) analyze all the reasons why I don't like it, 3) write all those reasons down in a way that is clear, detailed, and polite, 4) debate back and forth with the author as to whether my reasons *really* apply to their story? I'd never get *anything* done. And look, I know, when you create something it's precious to you and it hurts to hear it criticized, but I can't archive *every single story* that gets sent to me! And ultimately it's not worth putting my time and effort into something that will only serve as an excuse for someone to bash me/demand that I remove all her stories from my site/announce that she'll never allow any of her stories on my site in the future.
Yeah, I know, I'm whining again, but on the plus side, I found a solution. Hopefully this will help me get over the mental block that has prevented me from even *looking* at the "Recommended Stories" folder in my email box lately.
I should also mention that it's really no fun to carry two heavy bags of groceries up six flights of stairs in swelteringly hot weather because the elevator that you're paying insane amounts of money for isn't working AGAIN. So that may have affected my mood a little bit when writing this post.
I'm no longer sending detailed explanations as to why I reject stories. If I'm going to keep running the site (which is still kind of up in the air right now) I need to get rid of the aspects that send me into the kind of stressed out panic that makes me never want to turn on my computer again. And this is definitely one of those.
I'm so sick of the rude, angry, bitter, and/or on-the-surface-polite-but-underhandedly-pissed passive-agressive responses that I receive just about every time I reject a story. I feel bad because a few writers have told me that they appreciated my detailed explanations, but I can't do it anymore. I have several hundred stories to sort through; do you have any idea how much time it would take me to 1) read every story thoroughly, 2) analyze all the reasons why I don't like it, 3) write all those reasons down in a way that is clear, detailed, and polite, 4) debate back and forth with the author as to whether my reasons *really* apply to their story? I'd never get *anything* done. And look, I know, when you create something it's precious to you and it hurts to hear it criticized, but I can't archive *every single story* that gets sent to me! And ultimately it's not worth putting my time and effort into something that will only serve as an excuse for someone to bash me/demand that I remove all her stories from my site/announce that she'll never allow any of her stories on my site in the future.
Yeah, I know, I'm whining again, but on the plus side, I found a solution. Hopefully this will help me get over the mental block that has prevented me from even *looking* at the "Recommended Stories" folder in my email box lately.
I should also mention that it's really no fun to carry two heavy bags of groceries up six flights of stairs in swelteringly hot weather because the elevator that you're paying insane amounts of money for isn't working AGAIN. So that may have affected my mood a little bit when writing this post.
no subject
You certainly don't have to put energy and time into arguing about what you want on you site and what not. And you should certainly not stress yourself over it.
I think the new submission system is a good idea. You might even want to get that far that you don't accept people submitting their own stories. Instead you could set it as a premise, that you only consider a rec by another person, this way you don't have to be confronted with the author if that's a problem for you, but that's just an idea.
The main thing is, that you never forget that you don't have to justify yourself for denying a story/author.
six floors?!
::hands you an ice tea::
no subject
Mmmm ... thank you. I have my air conditioner on high and it's still too hot in here. Stupid top floor; all the heat in the building gathers in this room.
Thanks for the feedback!
I'm hesitant to disallow submissions, because I've found some really lovely gems that way. (Gems hidden among a lot of, uh, not-gems, but still.) I really try to find new or less-known authors intead of just archiving fic that everyone's already aware of or that has already gotten recognition. I worry that disallowing submissions would limit that too much and might make my site a bit too elitist. I'm really hoping that, if I do it this way, it'll be a lot less time consuming and I won't get so many authors upset at me. Here's hoping.
Thank you again!