Winter Holiday 2010 Contest Support Thread

[UltimateSwitch]

More important, I think, is where do you plan to publish it? It doesn't sound like something Literotica would accept. It's advocating something they don't permit here. In this case, I doubt whether it matters if there's explicit sex in it or not.

True but it has no content of an explicit nature nor does it advocate anything, its just questioning the concept and wondering why society views it as such. I don't plan to publish it, being as it is less then a page and is in essay format so i doubt anyone would want to read it. i was asking if someone wanted to, not so i should publish it...but just so i could show off my mad intuitive thinking skills to someone who was interested LOL

 

[Darkniciad]

Pardon my ignorance but what does "getting swept" mean? I've noticed vote totals dropping too but don't know why.

The website runs a script ( or more likely, several different types of scripts for different situations ) that remove votes considered questionable. The only known criteria are multiple votes from the same IP/ID, and votes that are inconsistent with the voting patterns on the story ( more or less, the 1-bomb sniffer )

During a contest, the sweeps cut deep -- especially the final sweep that determines who wins the contest. It's nothing unusual to lose 30-35% of your votes to sweeps during a themed contest.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

During a contest, the sweeps cut deep -- especially the final sweep that determines who wins the contest. It's nothing unusual to lose 30-35% of your votes to sweeps during a themed contest.

I resemble that remark. Another 100 votes lost overnight. Down to under 800 votes, from a high of 1080 or so three days ago. I've been swept before, but this really is approaching the ridiculous. First 2 and a half days, nearly 1100 votes, since then, -300. That's assuming no additional votes made in those days. At this rate, by the end of the contest I'll owe them 40 votes. Good thing I'm not in contention or I'd be pissed.

Still have the most comments I've had, approaching 80. Only two other stories of mine have exceeded 60 comments. I'm waiting to see if they're going to find a way to sweep those too...

 

[Ellafun]

Pardon my ignorance but what does "getting swept" mean? I've noticed vote totals dropping too but don't know why.

Thank you for asking that question, ST; I wondered the same thing! And thanks for the explanations, everyone who responded!

Mine isn't getting any worse, I really just need to find a way to make my stories taboo and controversial, but the only taboo I can play with is age and thats not allowed...hmm I suppose I could find some kind of a way...legally...

I see that some of you have hundreds and hundreds of votes on the contests; I have only entered two contests since I joined Lit, but have never come remotely close to those kinds of numbers ~ although I have have thousands of views on each story. Do the people who vote tend to look more at the kind of stories you are talking about, US? Just curious...not looking to win, just looking to be read. (so I'm very happy!)

A huge congratulations to everyone who entered the contest, btw. Some of the stories have been quite entertaining.

el.

 

[UltimateSwitch]

Thank you for asking that question, ST; I wondered the same thing! And thanks for the explanations, everyone who responded!




I see that some of you have hundreds and hundreds of votes on the contests; I have only entered two contests since I joined Lit, but have never come remotely close to those kinds of numbers ~ although I have have thousands of views on each story. Do the people who vote tend to look more at the kind of stories you are talking about, US? Just curious...not looking to win, just looking to be read. (so I'm very happy!)

A huge congratulations to everyone who entered the contest, btw. Some of the stories have been quite entertaining.

el.

I'm newish myself but it seems taboo, incest, cheating, and stuff like that get more reads though lots of varied reaction... a lot of it bad.

 

[DG Hear]

I see that some of you have hundreds and hundreds of votes on the contests; I have only entered two contests since I joined Lit, but have never come remotely close to those kinds of numbers ~ although I have have thousands of views on each story. Do the people who vote tend to look more at the kind of stories you are talking about, US? Just curious...not looking to win, just looking to be read. (so I'm very happy!)

A huge congratulations to everyone who entered the contest, btw. Some of the stories have been quite entertaining. el.

Reads are much more important than votes. Many readers don't leave comments and also don't vote. They read their story and then go on with their business. If it's on stroke stories, they might have been satisfied with their results. LOL

Comments are the most fun because you raised a readers emotions enough to leave a comment either good or bad. I never got a lot of votes on stories until the last few years. I get them now but as I have said before I honestly don't know why.

The best to all, Just a few more days to go, then you can think about the next comment. I'm working on non-contest story. Usually get a better average vote on them, a lot less trolling.
DG

 

[Boxlicker101]

Thank you for asking that question, ST; I wondered the same thing! And thanks for the explanations, everyone who responded!


I see that some of you have hundreds and hundreds of votes on the contests; I have only entered two contests since I joined Lit, but have never come remotely close to those kinds of numbers ~ although I have have thousands of views on each story. Do the people who vote tend to look more at the kind of stories you are talking about, US? Just curious...not looking to win, just looking to be read. (so I'm very happy!)

A huge congratulations to everyone who entered the contest, btw. Some of the stories have been quite entertaining.

el.

I am not one of those guys with hundreds of votes. I believe none have been swept, and if many do vanish, I will not be eligible to win any prize. Not that I expect to anyhow.

 

[Darkniciad]

The number of swept votes is up to 791 ( observed on toplists ) and the percentage of difference still looks to be about 15%. Once there's a slow/no-sweep day, I should be able to narrow that down a bit.

Average score is now 3.96 and median is 3.99

One of my tales popped up from the 4.49 barrier into H range again. Of course, it did that last contest that I entered with this name, and the sweeps put it right back down to 4.49 once more New votes on other stories are about a 50/50 mixed bag. Half of the stories went up in score, half went down.

It's actually almost a perfect grouping of every two stories, starting from the top of the list. Out of the first two, #1 went up, #2 went down. Same for the second 2, while the third 2 reverse the pattern. So on and so forth.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

On Reads, Votes and Categories

I see that some of you have hundreds and hundreds of votes on the contests; I have only entered two contests since I joined Lit, but have never come remotely close to those kinds of numbers ~ although I have have thousands of views on each story. Do the people who vote tend to look more at the kind of stories you are talking about, US? Just curious...not looking to win, just looking to be read. (so I'm very happy!)
.

I see lots of comments about certain categories getting lots of reads, and/or votes. I think it has a lot more to do with keeping your story accessible/available to readers.

1) If you can get into the top lists, that equals lots of reads, for both that story, and your others. First page yields a lot. Top 5 places can yield huge numbers. Number 1 overall, in my experience, can yield 100's of thousands of reads if you can stay there a while.

2) If you can get favorited often, people will check out others favorites and that brings you reads. Plus your fans seem more likely to read all your stuff, and vote. And comment.

3) Contests. Entering contests keeps your stories accessible for the length of the contest, which results in reads for all your stories. Contest wins result in big numbers. That light blue 'W' is a read magnet.

4) Red H. Hot stories get read more. Get that Red H early, and get more reads.

5) Luck. When your story is new, if you show up on the bottom third of the page, or on the second page, you won't get the same results as showing up near the top. I've been fortunate to have a lot of "new" stories show up on the new list right near the top. They're a lot more likely to get a fast Red H that way.

6) Frequency. When you write more often, your readers come back. Each new story is another chance for readers to meet you for the first time and find your other stories.

This is all from my personal experience. You're mileage may vary.

I've been writing here a while, and most of my early stories lag in reads and votes. Some of them spent extended stays at #1 on the top list, and still have less than 500 votes, 9 years later.

I've had 11 stories reach 1000 votes.

Non-consent: 3 with almost 300K reads needed to get there for two of them

Group Sex: 4 all with over 140K reads, one with 2000 votes and 600K reads

Romance: 1, although it's down to 730 votes today. The real exception, getting there with only 15K reads

Mature: 1 with about 100K reads

Loving Wives: 1 with 2300 votes and 430K reads. Worth mentioning it's another exception, both winning a contest and sitting at the #1 on the Top List for several months.

First Time: 1 with 150K read

Three stories in the 950+ votes area, in Anal, First Time, and Group Sex.

My point is, they are all over the place category wise, so I don't think the category has so much to do with the number of votes and reads. Longevity, and keeping your stories readily accessible somehow, seems to do the trick. Multi chaptered stories get the big reads at the beginning, and votes at beginning and end.

As far as votes go, I get a mixed bag, but it seems like lots of reads will eventually equal lots of votes a good bit of the time (but not always). Also, votes for stories are like real votes. I know some people don't like to do it, but for the last few years I've always ended my story with a request for a response, Read, Vote, Comment or Email. It seems to help a lot.

I know this post is long winded, but it's some stuff I wish I'd known a few years ago. I'll admit it. I like getting lots of reads, lots of votes, and useful comments. Makes me feel like the writing effort was worth it.

That's my $.02 on the subject.

 

[scouries]

http://forum.literotica.com/image.php?u=34158&dateline=1291758368
17. Charity Begins Next Door
Life isn't fair. So when you fight back, fight dirty. by Tx Tall Tales (12/06/10) 4.87 (643)

I think the intelligent Texan is on his way to setting a new “sweeps” record! At one time last week this story had over 1200 votes on the Top Story lists (I believe I saw it at 1245). Which means the story has lost over 600 votes!!!! And if darkboys reports are to be believed it means Tx has lost over 600 out of the 791 votes swept away. I can remember one contest some years ago when both Mr hear and I both had huge losses but Tx is certainly challenging the record for most votes swept away. All I can say is that I know how you feel....

FYI the A.I.R. computers still show you with over 1100 legitimate votes...

[size=+2]james r scouries esq.[/size]
Multiple A.I.R. AWARD winner, MILLION SELLER,
Author of the MOST COMMENTED on
and the MOST VOTED on story on LITEROTICA

 

[Darkniciad]

My point is, they are all over the place category wise, so I don't think the category has so much to do with the number of votes and reads.

This is the only part I'll argue. Everything else is a roadmap to maintaining a regular readership, which is the key to consistent high vote totals.

Erotic Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Non-Human, Humor, Chain, Novels and Novellas, BDSM, Gay, Transsexuals and Crossdressers... The list of categories that won't pick up many votes or reads on Lit is pretty long.

Undoubtedly, anyone who keeps up with your suggestions will do better than average in those categories, but those categories are never going to produce huge vote/view totals in comparison to the categories you mentioned having 1000 vote stories in.

 

[oggbashan]

How not to do it

I see lots of comments about certain categories getting lots of reads, and/or votes. I think it has a lot more to do with keeping your story accessible/available to readers.

...

Following in from that post above, during the Winter Holidays Contest I posted three entries and four other stories. The difference between the contest entries and the others is massive.

Contest Entries:

Herd of Donkeys: Votes 40; Views 9223; PCs 4
Nativity Scene: Votes 86; Views 10360; PCs 4
Photo Shoot: Votes 109; Views 18553; PCs 2

Other new stories:

Fort Whore: Votes 11; Views 3995; PCs 1
Shelacta Ch.11; Vote 1; Views under 1000; PCs Nil
Shelacta Ch.12; Vote 1; Views under 1000; PCs Nil
Shelacta Ch.13; Vote 1; Views under 1000; PCs Nil

Conclusions:

1. Don't post other stories during a contest.
2. Don't post additional chapters after a long break in the series, particularly not in a contest.
3. Use an attractive title. Shelacta Ch. xx means nothing unless you have read the previous chapters.

Og

 

[andtheend]

Just curious

I was just curious about the upcoming 2011 Valentine's Day contest and if anyone knew the days the contest begins and ends.

Does anyone know?

Today is the last day for my story Mommy Is All I Want for Xmas to be on the top list. It's been sitting at #1 for a while.

It's a good story for those who enjoy family holiday stories, a son's lust for his mother.

Good luck to everyone in the contest. I don't expect to win, but I had fun. The fun part for me is writing the story.

 

[oggbashan]

I was just curious about the upcoming 2011 Valentine's Day contest and if anyone knew the days the contest begins and ends.

Does anyone know?

...

Last year Laurel announced the contest dates for 2010 on 20 December. The list for 2011 isn't posted yet but will be the final post in the "Welcome Authors! Please Read" sticky.

Og

 

[Darkniciad]

Quick question, Ogg:

Did your other stories post late in the day? I know that the last several I posted during contests didn't appear on the New list until mid-afternoon, losing over 12 hours on that list.

Another BIG reason not to post regular stories during a contest.

Also, as mentioned by another poster, the contest entries can also push the number of new stories in a day past the single page norm for the New list. If your story falls on that second page, the reads will be in the crapper.

Don't post regular stories during contests. You will not like the results.

 

[andtheend]

Quick question, Ogg:

Did your other stories post late in the day? I know that the last several I posted during contests didn't appear on the New list until mid-afternoon, losing over 12 hours on that list.

Another BIG reason not to post regular stories during a contest.

Also, as mentioned by another poster, the contest entries can also push the number of new stories in a day past the single page norm for the New list. If your story falls on that second page, the reads will be in the crapper.

Don't post regular stories during contests. You will not like the results.

Which is exactly why I only enter contest stories. What's the sense writing any other story, unless there's a story that absolutely cannot be written to embrace the contest theme?

There are more advantages just writing contest stories than not, the least of which is being noticed more longer.

 

[oggbashan]

Quick question, Ogg:

Did your other stories post late in the day? I know that the last several I posted during contests didn't appear on the New list until mid-afternoon, losing over 12 hours on that list.

...Don't post regular stories during contests. You will not like the results.

My day, and Lit's day, are different. Currently I'm on Greenwich Mean Time and I tend to post my new stories after 2100 GMT.

During a contest I doubt that I have any way of predicting when a non-contest story will be posted.

I tend to post stories when my muses are cooperating. They are usually most available during contests.

Og

 

[Ellafun]

Which is exactly why I only enter contest stories. What's the sense writing any other story, unless there's a story that absolutely cannot be written to embrace the contest theme?

There are more advantages just writing contest stories than not, the least of which is being noticed more longer.

Although I can appreciate your competitive spirit, I write stories purely for the love of writing. The "sense" of writing a story, and having it publilshed online is a huge thrill for me all by itself!

 

[Ellafun]

I see lots of comments about certain categories getting lots of reads, and/or votes. I think it has a lot more to do with keeping your story accessible/available to readers.

1) If you can get into the top lists, that equals lots of reads, for both that story, and your others. First page yields a lot. Top 5 places can yield huge numbers. Number 1 overall, in my experience, can yield 100's of thousands of reads if you can stay there a while.

2) If you can get favorited often, people will check out others favorites and that brings you reads. Plus your fans seem more likely to read all your stuff, and vote. And comment.

3) Contests. Entering contests keeps your stories accessible for the length of the contest, which results in reads for all your stories. Contest wins result in big numbers. That light blue 'W' is a read magnet.

4) Red H. Hot stories get read more. Get that Red H early, and get more reads.

5) Luck. When your story is new, if you show up on the bottom third of the page, or on the second page, you won't get the same results as showing up near the top. I've been fortunate to have a lot of "new" stories show up on the new list right near the top. They're a lot more likely to get a fast Red H that way.

6) Frequency. When you write more often, your readers come back. Each new story is another chance for readers to meet you for the first time and find your other stories.

This is all from my personal experience. You're mileage may vary.

I've been writing here a while, and most of my early stories lag in reads and votes. Some of them spent extended stays at #1 on the top list, and still have less than 500 votes, 9 years later.

I've had 11 stories reach 1000 votes.

Non-consent: 3 with almost 300K reads needed to get there for two of them

Group Sex: 4 all with over 140K reads, one with 2000 votes and 600K reads

Romance: 1, although it's down to 730 votes today. The real exception, getting there with only 15K reads

Mature: 1 with about 100K reads

Loving Wives: 1 with 2300 votes and 430K reads. Worth mentioning it's another exception, both winning a contest and sitting at the #1 on the Top List for several months.

First Time: 1 with 150K read

Three stories in the 950+ votes area, in Anal, First Time, and Group Sex.

My point is, they are all over the place category wise, so I don't think the category has so much to do with the number of votes and reads. Longevity, and keeping your stories readily accessible somehow, seems to do the trick. Multi chaptered stories get the big reads at the beginning, and votes at beginning and end.

As far as votes go, I get a mixed bag, but it seems like lots of reads will eventually equal lots of votes a good bit of the time (but not always). Also, votes for stories are like real votes. I know some people don't like to do it, but for the last few years I've always ended my story with a request for a response, Read, Vote, Comment or Email. It seems to help a lot.

I know this post is long winded, but it's some stuff I wish I'd known a few years ago. I'll admit it. I like getting lots of reads, lots of votes, and useful comments. Makes me feel like the writing effort was worth it.

That's my $.02 on the subject.

Thank you, and all the other authors here, for putting in your two cents...it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

Point taken. There are categories that will make it difficult to build big read numbers, and thus big vote numbers. There are also a large number of categories where you CAN get the big numbers. All this is separate from SCORES, where I believe the category itself is a HUGE factor.

Main gist is: If you want reads and votes, you can get there a lot of ways. Ok, Humor, non-erotic, Letters and Transcripts, Erotic Horror... are not some of them.

I read people claiming you have to go incest for the big reads, or Gay/Romance for the high scores. There's an element of truth to them, but they're definitely not the only way.

I think illustrated is a fascinating example. For a sparsely populated, low-scoring category, the number of reads for the top stories is enormous. I wonder how many of those are just clicking in and looking for the pictures, without actually reading anything?

This is the only part I'll argue. Everything else is a roadmap to maintaining a regular readership, which is the key to consistent high vote totals.

Erotic Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Non-Human, Humor, Chain, Novels and Novellas, BDSM, Gay, Transsexuals and Crossdressers... The list of categories that won't pick up many votes or reads on Lit is pretty long.

Undoubtedly, anyone who keeps up with your suggestions will do better than average in those categories, but those categories are never going to produce huge vote/view totals in comparison to the categories you mentioned having 1000 vote stories in.

 

[Darkniciad]

I think that a lot of the low scoring in that category has more to do with the expectations of readers vs. reality, and the misconception that hardcore images are not allowed.

The way the FAQ used to be worded, it gave authors the impression that no hardcore images were allowed, only arty-style nudes. The thing is, that restriction was only for actual photos ( due to 2257 obscenity laws ) The FAQ has since been reworded to indicate that hardcore images in other media ( drawn, computer generated, painted, etc. ) are welcome -- and sorely needed.

As to the readers, I think they come to the category expecting visual porn, and end up getting a couple of fairly tame nude photos most of the time. That's what causes them to click the low scoring button.

Even on the stories that do have hardcore images, the readers are probably expecting real people bumping uglies, and having 3D models or sketches performing the sex act isn't what they were really hoping for.

Point taken. There are categories that will make it difficult to build big read numbers, and thus big vote numbers. There are also a large number of categories where you CAN get the big numbers. All this is separate from SCORES, where I believe the category itself is a HUGE factor.

Main gist is: If you want reads and votes, you can get there a lot of ways. Ok, Humor, non-erotic, Letters and Transcripts, Erotic Horror... are not some of them.

I read people claiming you have to go incest for the big reads, or Gay/Romance for the high scores. There's an element of truth to them, but they're definitely not the only way.

I think illustrated is a fascinating example. For a sparsely populated, low-scoring category, the number of reads for the top stories is enormous. I wonder how many of those are just clicking in and looking for the pictures, without actually reading anything?

 

[mia_erotica]

Only Lurking

All of the stories I've posted here were contest stories. It was much more fun doing it that way. Really fun when I won one! I haven't entered the last two contests because I've been working on a novel. I miss the fun of it. It really is the best way to get your feet wet in the erotic literature world, meet like-minded writers and develop a thick skin (which I'm still working on).

Ogg's stories were great this time. I only read a couple of the stories. When do they announce the winners? Good luck, friends.

Mia

Just wanted to congratulate all the writers in the Holiday contest, I've made a point of reading all the entries and I really enjoyed them, especially those by Luna, Mugsy, Wicked and Emerald. I wish everybody the best of luck this weekend with votes! I wish I had the courage to submit a story of my own to one of the contests but I don'[t think I could handle all the criticiscm you all put up with - I admire you all so much for being able to deal with the good and the bad, especially around the holidays when things are so hectic.

I did have a question that I was hoping the more experienced among you might be able to answer. Since I make a point of reading all the contest entries, I see the same names fairly regularly come up submitting to the contests. If you win are you able to continue entering? I'm just curious, because some of you have become "staples" to the contests (at least in my opinion!) and if you won and couldn't enter... Well, sometimes I wonder if some of the scores you receive are deliberately light just to keep you around...

Good luck again to everybody and a very Merry Holiday to all!!

 

[Darkniciad]

Winners are scheduled to be announced on Tues., the 14th.

 

[TxRad]

I finally got swept. Lost 25 or 30 votes and gained a little in score. Nothing to brag about but I'm pleased with the comments and e-mails.

 

[Darkniciad]

I've been getting swept pretty much continuously for the last few days. End result: +.01 in score *laugh*

The worst is yet to come... The last sweep is always the worst ( especially for those in the top 5-10 of score )