rusty_halo ([personal profile] rusty_halo) wrote2003-06-26 07:00 pm
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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.

[identity profile] kellyhk.livejournal.com 2003-06-26 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Laura, All About Spike is one of the strongest and diverse archives on the net. Kudos to you for screen all the fic and really maintaining such a high standard. Honestly, I didn't know you could submit. I thought it was by invite only. (needless to say I was tickled when you asked to archive my stuff)

Anyhow, you get to run it however you want. That's the beauty of being the sole archivist. And, seriously, you don't need a long winded letter explaining your rejections. Don't let people make you feel bad for your decisions. Stick to your guns, sunshine!

[identity profile] rusty_halo.livejournal.com 2003-06-26 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Kelly. I appreciate it.

AllAboutSpike was originally invite only, but a few people asked if they could submit stories, so I decided to set up a form to make it easy (and to make sure I got the correct information and didn't have to go asking them for all the little details like summary and rating and all). It's mostly still invite only; I read lots of fic and ask if I can archive the ones I like. I've just added the submissions to the fic that I already read, and if I find something good it saves me the trouble of having to ask. Although I haven't been keeping up with it so well lately; there's something like 300 unanswered messages in that folder...

Speaking of your stuff, are you still writing? I haven't seen anything from you in ages. I really love the stories that you've written.

Re:

[identity profile] kellyhk.livejournal.com 2003-06-27 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
Working on a fic right now. Have a sappy little vignette almost done. Hey, so sue me, I wanted some post 13 sap. Anyhow, two AU's in the works, big roadtrip to Idaho starting tomorrow, and a new spiral notebook for the drive. Things are looking up. That writer's blight (and you thought a writer's block was bad) is gone. I think.

[identity profile] rusty_halo.livejournal.com 2003-06-27 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
Ooooh, awesome! I can't wait. :)