The Official Authors' Hangout Winter Holidays 2025 Support Thread

[EmilyMiller]

Good to see the pattern of multiple sweeps returning as that should minimise the tactical bombing.

Sweeps are totally ineffective against anyone who thinks about how they work for five minutes and who is psychologically disturbed enough to put some time and effort into evading them. I find the faith in them disturbing. At best they are uneven and patchy. At worst they do nothing whatsoever. They are an acknowledgement of a problem, not a solution to it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

They are an acknowledgement of a problem, not a solution to it.

True. But the effect of sweeps is there's for anyone to see, all stories get the same benefit, so I can't quite see what your point is.

How can the site control negative people who do what they do? The site isn't a mental health service.

 

[EmilyMiller]

True. But the effect of sweeps is there's for anyone to see, all stories get the same benefit, so I can't quite see what your point is.

Sweeps do NOT remove smart bombs, they clear out naive malicious votes cast by people who don’t understand how the system works and leave those cast by more sophisticated bad actors in place. They are a sieve with big holes in them. They use no statistical analysis to detect fraudulent voting pattens, just the most basic (and easily manipulated) information.

I could one bomb your stories day in and day out and never have a single vote swept. Not that I’d ever dream of doing so. I’ve cast precisely one 1️ vote in my three plus years here. And that was over a dispute in acknowledgements.

 

[Actingup]

Sweeps are totally ineffective against anyone who thinks about how they work for five minutes and who is psychologically disturbed enough to put some time and effort into evading them. I find the faith in them disturbing. At best they are uneven and patchy. At worst they do nothing whatsoever. They are an acknowledgement of a problem, not a solution to it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Sweeps do NOT remove smart bombs, they clear out naive malicious votes cast by people who don’t understand how the system works and leave those cast by more sophisticated bad actors in place. They are a sieve with big holes in them. They use no statistical analysis to detect fraudulent voting pattens, just the most basic (and easily manipulated) information.

That's true. But I doubt most trolls even know sweeps exist, and I've never given much credence to the single troll, multiple malice theories. Even fucktards have got better things to do.

 

[YmaOHyd]

Even fucktards have got better things to do.

Do they? I feel like a distinguishing characteristic of fucktards is that they often don't.

 

[MrStill]

an early visit from the Toplist Troll

I might just try to work that into a story . At the very least it's a possibly intriguing title

 

[Actingup]

And... another sweep. At least three distinct sweeps, and not just with 1-bombs removed. One of my stories, which I had thought was definitely bombed when posted (in Group Sex), has had 9% of its votes removed, changing the score by +0.2 (it's still not going to win anything, but now the score matches my perception of what it's worth at least!). Interestingly the Loving Wives story that @PennyThompson and I did has had only 0.2% of votes removed, and that also matches my perception that the scoring on it was fair to begin with - the LW readers will pour boiling oil on you if you include 'cuck' or other trigger elements, but otherwise tend to be tough but fair.

 

[Actingup]

And as for the Winter Holidays competition....something tolisten to while we wait for the Hour of Judgement!!!

And for the Southern Hemisphere crew:

 

[TheLobster]

Mine lost 2 votes and its score climbed by 0.02. Like Actingup's

it's still not going to win anything,

but at least it looks like it's gonna keep the red H for good Yes, there's really no better emoji combo for "knock on wood..."

 

[StillStunned]

And... another sweep. At least three distinct sweeps, and not just with 1-bombs removed. One of my stories, which I had thought was definitely bombed when posted (in Group Sex), has had 9% of its votes removed, changing the score by +0.2 (it's still not going to win anything, but now the score matches my perception of what it's worth at least!). Interestingly the Loving Wives story that @PennyThompson and I did has had only 0.2% of votes removed, and that also matches my perception that the scoring on it was fair to begin with - the LW readers will pour boiling oil on you if you include 'cuck' or other trigger elements, but otherwise tend to be tough but fair.

I compared the votes on all of my stories against yesterday's vote numbers, and not a single one had been swept. Either my readers are all very honest, or else they're smart enough to outwit the sweeps. Either way, I have classy readers.

 

[TheRedLantern]

I didn't see a sweep if one happened. I have 4 more net votes than I did yesterday.

Submitting early enough to cross the 100 vote threshold during the contest sucked. I had not known of that effect until I ran into it, but it's a lot stronger than I would have expected if I didn't feel it first hand.

Otherwise, this has been the most fun and positive writing experience I've had. I tried something new and it worked better than I expected, I learned more about how Lit contests are won and lost, and the real treasure was the friends with benefits we made along the way.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

No change in my votes, but then I only got 27 of them despite submitting early.

I got given the most amazing idea last night for a story for next year, though.

 

[WillowKiss]

Sweeps do NOT remove smart bombs, they clear out naive malicious votes cast by people who don’t understand how the system works and leave those cast by more sophisticated bad actors in place. They are a sieve with big holes in them. They use no statistical analysis to detect fraudulent voting pattens, just the most basic (and easily manipulated) information.

I could one bomb your stories day in and day out and never have a single vote swept. Not that I’d ever dream of doing so. I’ve cast precisely one 1️ vote in my three plus years here. And that was over a dispute in acknowledgements.

I am an author, and this is my alter to save my hide from the most obnoxious and persuasive trolls...

What @EmilyMiller is saying is truth... I don't want to hash out the mechanics in public, but the systematic one-bombing has been happening here and largely ignored for years.
The history has gone well beyond 15 years since I have been active. There have been so many conflicts and discussions on this very forum where certain trolls were exposed and shamed, and they still remain largely unaffected... unfortunately, they are not the only ones... there are a lot more lurking in shadows. You can know who they are, but just like my alter, they also have theirs...

@EmilyMiller is not the only one who is doubtful about the futility of posting new stories; while some chose to quit voluntarily, most were systematically abused and driven out. You may consider this as a conspiracy theory, but all you have to do is check the top lists and do some statistical analysis. While there is a good intention behind the sweep mechanism, it simply fails to acknowledge that some have simply learned to outsmart it. It's not that difficult, really; all you need is a bit of extra time and a stupid obsession with numbers.

Some still have blind faith in the system, but the moment you understand the mechanics, what you feel is either apathy or despair. Very few have chosen to continue despite knowing the truth, and I applaud their choices. While you may choose to believe whatever suits you, the issue won't cease to exist just because you don't understand it.

As for the completion, I thank all participants for their efforts and willingness. Just keep in mind that scores and votes don't reflect the quality of your work. Don't bother with results, for they will never be unbiased. Your followers and your comments are your real worth. If you struggle, I believe @ChloeTzang thread on why you write and what you get should be your next read.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I compared the votes on all of my stories against yesterday's vote numbers, and not a single one had been swept. Either my readers are all very honest, or else they're smart enough to outwit the sweeps. Either way, I have classy readers.

Ditto - mine hasn't changed in the slightest. And I did see one bombs hitting when I first submitted. Who knows. Mine's not a contest-winnning story anyhow, the score is about right for what it is, so it doesn't worry me. It was fun to write and I enjoyed writing it and it's good to be in such good company.

Just remember....you are not alone....

 

[Off_base]

I have classy readers

Adding to my suspicion that you're Ron Burgundy

 

[Actingup]

Congratulations! @CleverGenericName , @McQueen127, @Jorunn

 

[StillStunned]

Winning scores, as far as I can tell: 4.9, 4.89 and 4.86. Unless they've already been visited by the bombers.

ETA: Apparently "Holiday Coverage" had already been hit, because it's placed first but the score is the lowest of the three visible now.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Wow!!!! These results came fast this year. Congrats to you guys!!!!!!! Well done!

 

[TheRedLantern]

Yay! So excited for @CleverGenericName , @McQueen127, @Jorunn !!! Amazing job, you three!

 

[MelissaBaby]

Winning scores, as far as I can tell: 4.9, 4.89 and 4.86. Unless they've already been visited by the bombers.

ETA: Apparently "Holiday Coverage" had already been hit, because it's placed first but the score is the lowest of the three visible now.

When I won a couple of years ago, there were several of us who looked like we had a good chance to win, and a lot of friendly rivalry banter. So, I was watching and waiting for the winners to be announced, and saw the results right after they were posted. My story was at 4.96, but started dropping within minutes, and was below 4.90 within a couple of hours.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Wow!!!! These results came fast this year. Congrats to you guys!!!!!!! Well done!

View attachment 2583206

Congratulations to all the winners!

If I may offer some advice, contact Laurel ASAP with your info about collecting your prizes. Don't risk it falling through the cracks.

 

[Jorunn]

Unbelievable. Inspired by my recent trip to Ireland, I tried to capture their beautiful country, history, and culture into a story of Hope for the Christmas season. Hugs and kisses for all those who read and voted!

 

[RoyalAuthor]

Congratulations to all three winners! Well done.

 

[Ian_Snow]

Congrats to the winners, and happy holidays to everyone!