>Rock jokes

At least it's not Nicholas Cage

>>109883

>>109883

We should have a Con Air movie night.

>>109888
I vote for a Wicker Man movie night instead.

>>109883

You people

>>109839
The first 3 chapters are completely new, and the rest just heavily modified. The beginning arc was severely reworked, but yes. It's the same story.

>Yes. They're very gneiss.

I've never heard anyone else make that joke ever. Are you telling me I've finally found another geology nerd?

>>109919

Also, wow. I got on the WTF Pony Fanfiction Tumblr... I'm not sure whether to laugh hysterically or perform seppuku.

Since you have a google docs queue, have you ever considered having the public view it. It seems like an easy way to stop the "Ur my Gawd. Why izn't mey ficutre en yet ragerblargh," questions

>>109921

This would be nice. Especially when people who have regular contact with pre-readers.

I.E. Writer submits to queue. He waits a few days. He asks pre-reader. Pre-reader says, "oh, your fic has been claimed. Several days later, still nothing.

It'd be useful to see for ourselves.

And being who I am, I have to say this.

I still think you're a pretty cool guy hate you, Daff.

>>109923

>I still think...

Would someone mind explaining where this started? * * * uses it all the time.

>>109924
We began to use it once the place became a little too serious and decided to make it a bit more fun.

>>109925

This again?

Anyways, I'll ask a question so I'm not entirely responsible for this derail.

How does claiming actually work? Is it like ttg where it's a general queue that everyone kinda picks and chooses from? Or do you occasionally shoot off specific stories to specific pre-readers? I.E. Would you shoot of a Rarity centered story directly to Vimbert? I hear he absolutely adores her. /sarcasm

>>109921

This is unlikely to happen, as there are comments and reviewer names that are kept internal for tracking and privacy. Forking the spreadsheet and just omitting these details would be more trouble than it's worth.

>>109926

No one assigns fics to others. All claims are voluntarily made by marking the status of a fic on the spreadsheet with our name and the timestamp. As far as I understand it, it works in much the same manner as the TG spreadsheet.

>>109929

Thanks for the prompt answer. It's nice to know there are other cool people I can rely on.

As always, I love hate you all.

>>109929
I understand the need for anonymity among the prereaders I actually really don't since the internet basically allows you free anonymity with your identity but whatevs. You want that extra little bit of privacy, then it's not my place to argue. I accept your decision though I don't agree with it personally. Still it would be nice to have closure as a writer, especially when there are queue pile-ups. I, for example, am pissing my pants because I sent in a fic like 5 days ago and still haven't heard anything, It would just be nice to have that fimfiction "you're number 37 in the queue" or something similar without having to ask pre-readers and seem like an impatient douche.

>>109942
They need that extra layer of anonymity because if every author knows their screenname, they're likely to get hunted down and hassled by certain individuals who don't enjoy rejection or civility.

Just be patient. At least you know your fic hasn't got lost between Seth and the PRs with this new system.

>>109945
I debunk this by saying that none of the current public pre-readers do.

Not saying revealing their names would be a good or a bad thing, but this is just a fallacy.

>>109947
Seattle's got a cute little lynch mob of anons trying to throw a shitfest over his most recent story being "subpar" or whatever bullshit; with prereaders being one of the most hated subgroups within this fandom, it shouldn't be a surprise that anonymity is useful.

>>109955

I was attempting to be as civil as I could be while expressing whether the content was allowable on EqD. I meant no disrespect to Seattle or his writing abilities. If it was someone else, I would also ponder the same thing. However, you did say that it was better than most of the writing you receive, so I'll take your word for it.

I just wish you could be a little bit less confrontational about it. Can't we all just get along?

>>109955
You presume too much of Seattle. His story has a small little Lynch Mob, as did many other stories posted in EqD which were found to be lower than the normal standard, making him be like every other writer in the fandom. Right now, the only real distinction is that we got someone saying it was accepted, which might have been related to his position as a pre-reader only in that his story probably got read faster because it isn't Shuggy Mc.Stookertier with his newest epic "The Farts of a Sun Long Past."

Right now, I don't see reports of hate mail, reports of anything more but badly written and worded replies about the geniuses the writers are (which the pre-readers have said publicly they laugh at people for, because, I mean, what is left to do?).

In fact, nothing other than a bunch on grumbling and hardly a good opinion about them, but nothing done against them. So, yeah, nothing bad ever comes from being public other than very unimportant grumbling.

PS: I will not comment about Seattle story, nope, that ship is not headed anywhere good.

>>109924

I'll explain it to you. It's rather simple. I.... hate... everyone.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... the people who know who am are probably out saying, "No you don't. You treat people perfectly fine when actually talking to us."

They're right. You see, when I say everyone, I mean I hate everyone as a whole. However, on a level where I get to talk to people as person to person instead of person to representative of a whole, I think most of you are pretty cool.

What's under the strike through is probably what I really think of a person ranging from silly, seeing as I don't actually hold any love for Daffodil, to serious, because I really do think Daffodil is a pretty cool guy.

The other part? The part where I claim to hate people? Yeah, that's serious. That I'm addressing to their status as part of any given organization. In this case it's often the pre-readers.

It's a love hate relationship for me in regards to EqD. Part of me still enjoys going there for the art and maybe certain stories. The other half of me wants to burn it to the ground, stomp on it, and then rebuild it from the ashes.

> Would someone mind explaining where this started? * * * uses it all the time.
Two threads back if I remember correctly.

>>109956
Sir, your civility and rational concerns/opinions are greatly appreciated, and well-noted.

>>109962
You, on the other hand... Mate, YOU presume far too much, of myself and others. In fact, you seem to have an issue with confusing your own assumptions with the facts of a matter or the perspectives of others. Further, and I have to be blunt here, your posts seem to lack basic coherency. Have you reread your posts? Because if they make sense to you, then pass over whatever you're smoking, because it must be some good shit. I honestly canna tell if you're trying to make any actual point or not, but the general tone is decidedly negative.

>>109974
And you just seem to be attn horing, plain and simple. It's getting tedious.
>hurr I hate everyone ad infinitum
Why do you assume anyone actually gives a shit to the extent you feel you have to keep repeating yourself?

>>109986

This is not the Seattle_Lite I know. You're flat out fucking drunk. And if you aren't, you certainly aren't acting like yourself.

I antagonize the thread a bit because I know that while it may cause small derails, it also helps get this thread moving again when it's died.

You sir, should go to bed and sleep off the alcohol.

Why do you care that I repeatedly state my opinion? Does it affect you? On a very basic level. Most of my shenanigans have been targeted at Daffodil because I know that unlike you, he can take shit like this in stride and come out smiling.

I like to make it clear that any hate I've spewed was nothing more than a joke. If not, I'm deeply sorry. I used to think there was no one I hated... but you're making it real hard to not add any names to that list, Mr. Seattle.

>>109989

You know, considering who it is hiding behind that mask, I feel a bit saddened. I'm sorry you feel that way, ***.

>>109986

Enough. We've derailed another thread, and we'll infect all of Ponychan with this absurd debate if we don't stop now.

Seattle, I just need to ask: what is the matter with you? This isn't an issue of bluntness; you're being flat out rude to someone who's had no involvement in this discussion. Furthermore, you need to be a man and accept the criticism of the anons with dignity. I've had stories on the blog too, and they've received criticism just like yours. If you're satisfied with what you've created, and you've been approved by the pre-readers, their opinions shouldn't matter to you.

Staying classy is the easiest way to deal with this kind of situation.

>>109992

Fair enough... I'll start the rerailing.

So, what if there's a story that the pre-readers really like, except for a few. Is there a way for a pre-reader to overrule the majority vote rule and get a fic struck down if they have enough reason?

>>109986

Fine, I said my piece and that's that. I don't care if you now hate me with a passion, but I'm still going to apologize. Apology pizza? And seriously, go to bed or take a nap. You need it.

>>109992
I vote that we rerail this thread back to where it should truly be...

In any case, you're all right (ancillary comments below)-
RE-RAILING:
>Is there a way for a pre-reader to overrule the majority vote rule and get a fic struck down if they have enough reason?
Only in the nigh-unheard-of situation where the outnumbered PR is correct on a solid rule of grammar. When it comes to anything less, consensus rules out, usually after long debate, in which opinion can be swayed.


>>109994
I *am* exceedingly tired (12 hour shift), and that post did just flare up outta nowhere. I don't know how I lost my sense of humor like that. Genuinely sorry mate. Pizza an beer sounds great.

>>109992
Umbra, you're crossing streams here (never cross the streams). The comments towards *** had nothing to do with the TTG discussion whatsoever.
This anon >>109962 brought the debate here, not me. My actual concerns aren't with criticism or the ability to take, but genuinely not understanding what the hay he's saying. If you can decipher his post, by all means.

Dear Pre-readers,

I write to you today to express my thanks for your iron-fisted rule of EqD. You see, I realised that I would much rather suffer as the subject of a scant few tyrants than endure the tyranny of the public. At least you, dearest pre-readers, are sane.

When the public decried you as the worst sort of tyrants, you tried to level with them in a display of trust. Given the madness of the mob, it is no surprise you were met with jeers and petty insults.

You then tried to give the public what they wanted, and played the part of the unapologetic despot, only to endure the slings and arrows of smug self-satisfaction on the part of the masses.

So I say, thank you, pre-readers. At least under your rule, I know where I stand and with whom. I can expect consistency in your tyranny, a certain understanding that I only have to meet your standards, and that will be enough.

The mob will never know what it wants, but it will always want it, nay, demand it.

Continue as you are, or as you see fit.

I am, Sirs and Madams, your most humble and obedient servant,
Very Bored

Humour, disregard.

>>110001

> Pizza an beer sounds great.
Sorry mate, no beer.
1. Can't/won't buy it.
2. Even if I could, I wouldn't give it out. While I do believe it's your right to choose to drink or not, no one will be drinking because of me.

As for that post? We all have our moments, good or bad. As long as we aren't dicks about it afterwards, it should all be good.

Okay, so follow-up question: Has anyone ever left because of a situation like that?

Oh, and help yourself.

As time goes on, the amount of fan content out there will increase exponentially. But at least comics and pictures are easier to consume. At this point, I'm seeing so much music and fics that unless you spend every waking moment trying to read everything, it seems like you'll miss a lot of them. It's the natural order of things.

However, with Sturgeon's law, if most of the fics are terrible, does that mean that it's not necessary to read every fic if they bring nothing new to the table or is it still okay to read something similar. If you look at a lot of writing, a lot of it also turns out to look kinda the same. Not sure if this is a stylistic writing issue or if that's the problem that invokes the law in the first place.

My question is: As time moves on and the amount of content continues to rise, will you still find yourself able to enjoy ponyfics or will everything eventually become so cliche and played out that it won't be?

Movies tend to have a cycle where they have a lot of remakes. The ideas are similar but the way it plays out, the journey, is still different enough to be enjoyed. But that's because it takes a lot to make a movie, or at least is less accessible than writing.

I'm sure that after seeing so many bad fics and having to reject most of it, that it gets considerably harder to enjoy something. But if the author is willing to improve, willing to take criticism, and does their best, isn't that all worth it?

Sure, right now they might not be great, but no one ever starts out great. Not that being good at writing MLP fanfiction means that much, but at least it's sorta like a niche, or maybe Big Fish in a Small Pond Syndrome. They can use their improvement in writing here to go into the real world and start writing professionally. Okay, it's not as perfect as real practice, but at least it gives them a start.

Have you ever asked yourselves why you even started pre-reading? Was it to help people? Was it to find a way to enjoy more ponyfics? Even though a lot of things might frustrate you from day to day, what are the good benefits? What makes you pause to say "I'm thankful for this." It's a tough job, especially since it's volunteer, but I hope that the rare occasions where you make an author happy or when someone thanks is enough to pull you through. Or if not, then I hope you at least believe that you are helping people. Even if they don't always show their appreciation.

It's rough at first getting rejected, but once you get over the initial bump, some writers will strive to improve. Sure, many give up, but is that not true of life? Anything worth getting is never easy. Therefore, should fiction work the same way? Not saying that getting on EqD is the be-all goal for writers, just that you've played a part towards writers improving. Since standards have been tightening up, writers must improve to keep up. Especially with the above point where there's way too much fanfiction to read and no sane person could ever keep up. Several people have tried, but eventually went insane or burnt out in the end.

So yea, we need the pre-readers to help stem the flow of fanfiction. The good writers will improve, the bad writers will leave, and the standards will rise as a whole. Since that's already been happening, it will continue to do so in the future. So after this post, I just wanted to thank the pre-readers and all of their hard work.

Of course, they're not the only ones that help people improve, but that's beside the point. I'd thank the reviewers, encouraging friends, proofreaders, and editors too, but this is the pre-reader thread. Plus I want to at least semi-rerail the discussion. Time passes by fast enough as it is. In time, everything will go on as normal, despite who leaves and who stays. At the end of the day, as long as you do your best to help writers, isn't that all that matters?

>>110001
Dissection time:

>You presume too much of Seattle.
He is saying Nick is assuming you matter too much or that your position as a pre-reader is something people actually care about. I think. Or he is saying he knows you better than Nick. I am going with the first one because it makes more sense in context.

> His story has a small little Lynch Mob, as did many other stories posted in EqD which were found to be lower than the normal standard, making him be like every other writer in the fandom.
People are disliking your story because it is not really something attention worthy, which happens every time something with big problems ends up in EqD while similar stories get rejected without any real pattern to it. This happens to everyone and has nothing to do with you being a pre-reader.

>Right now, the only real distinction is that we got someone saying it was accepted, which might have been related to his position as a pre-reader only in that his story probably got read faster because it isn't Shuggy Mc.Stookertier with his newest epic "The Farts of a Sun Long Past."
The only reason there is a shitstorm here is because some guy thought it would be a good idea to say that it was accepted way before most other stories, probably because you are a pre-reader and your stories get read first because they are probably better. That is really the only distiction.

>Right now, I don't see reports of hate mail, reports of anything more but badly written and worded replies about the geniuses the writers are (which the pre-readers have said publicly they laugh at people for, because, I mean, what is left to do?).
Apparently, both of the previous points were a counter to the idea that being a public pre-reader actually does anything: you do not receive hate mail other than the author's responses which you laugh at when you receive them. Apparently he think this a good thing, because they should get laughed at.

>In fact, nothing other than a bunch on grumbling and hardly a good opinion about them, but nothing done against them.
A repetition of the last point.

>So, yeah, nothing bad ever comes from being public other than very unimportant grumbling.
Conclusion: being public has no real negative part in any way. The example Nick provided is moot and his argument is bad.

>PS: I will not comment about Seattle story, nope, that ship is not headed anywhere good.
He will not comment if the story is actually good or not.

There you go. That was easier than it was made to sound like. Just to point out, I am just paraphrasing and the person who brought the discussion here was Nick. Personal opinion of the story and the reaction? It needs work even if its a slice of life thing, but I can hardly see a reason to reject it seeing the other stories accepted recently. It would seem, rather, that people are expecting pre-readers to be superwriters rather than, well, people. When in doubt, people, just read their stories and you will be able to see how you can't hold them to such harsh standards for doing a job no one could rationally want. Good luck with the story, hopefully it will be well receive rather than having dozens of comments repeating the debate from before.

- -_-_-_-_-

>>110006
>As time goes on, the amount of fan content out there will increase exponentially.
Actually, over time, the amount of G4 MLP Fan Content will approach zero. The fandom'll have to die down eventually after the show is cancelled. Part of me wants to stay in it on a cursory level, just out of, in ten years, the irony of having a fandom of >50 people and I hate the other 49, but I know exactly when and where I'm leaving this fandom.

>As time moves on and the amount of content continues to rise, will you still find yourself able to enjoy ponyfics or will everything eventually become so cliche and played out that it won't be?
I've enjoyed—that is, when I closed the document, I felt a sense of fulfillment—less than five stories I've read since January. Granted, that's mixed between reviewing and prereading, but I'd say I've read well over a hundred fics (between TTG and two review threads this year alone, I'm probably close to sixty or seventy reviews, plus whatever I managed to preread). Combined with intra-community bullshit and Season 2 sucking, there are many days I question the merit of my efforts (that is, why I continue).

>>110008
>Conclusion: being public has no real negative part in any way.
Except how butthurt rejected authors will spam your email and find other ways to harrass you because their story about an OC falling in love with the main six got rejected for thirty spelling errors, which obviously means the prereader is wrong. Point is, people get worked up over stupid things, myself included, and that seems to multiply tenfold on the Internet. Then, remember that the Internet can be a scary place, what with the amount of shut-ins with zero social tact and the lack of recourse for actions taken online.
>The example Nick provided is moot and his argument is bad.
The example was not moot, because it pointed out an example of negative feedback against prereaders. No one would've given two shits if Seattle wasn't a prereader, or at the very least, they wouldn't have attacked him in a personal level.

>>110014
>>110014
As much as I am certain people appreciate your efforts, I am just going to kindly remind that is not my opinion, I'm just paraphrasing because apparently it was difficult for people to understand that anon's points, which you already answered to, to which I think the same anon retorted that pre-readers normally say they don't get personal emails, spam, or anything of the sort. In other words, you are claiming that it does occur, he claims that it doesn't, and the public pre-readers for the most part don't seem to be affected or public about their email spam of hate and vitriol. Point is, you are wasting your time with people who do not even wear names and we all know all anons should be taken at an arm's length.

As for the second one, I am very new to this place but /fic/'s derision of "bad" stories making it to EqD is quite widely known and it seems, to me, a bit disingenuous to insist it is his position of a pre-reader that makes the story receive calls it is weak. As far as I have heard, /fic/ lives of telling authors that made it into EqD that they suck, some quite flowery while doing so; I don't know why it suddenly doing so for Seattle must be because he is a pre-reader rather than the story being weaker than it could be.

And now I'm getting embroiled in something I have little more than amusement for. Apologies.
- -_-_-_-_-

>>109761

Regarding the guestion of foreign authors (from the previous thread).

I'm Finnish and have a 6-star fic, Postal Blues and Grey Feathers, on EQD. I think I woke up the entire apartment building when I saw it had the 6-star tag on it (This was at 5:30 in the morning, I think).

I learned English from watching too much Cartoon Network as a kid.

>>110018
Cartoon Network was the best. It really was.

And as I said, too, we have a few people who aren't native English speakers on the blog who do fine.

Just don't, like, be bad at writing, man.

>>109909
On an un-shitstorm related note, I didn't get a reply if I could have a strike removed. I revised the story for 3 months before resubmitting the second time, so I'm a bit nervous read that as "scared as fuck" about being on my third strike.

>>110028
From what you've told me, I wouldn't remove the strike. But then again, I wasn't the one that read your story. The pre-reader might see that you've put sufficient effort into changing things and forego the last strike.

However, if you're scared that we might reject it, why are you submitting it? The only reason you'd be scared is if you know there are problems with it. Wait until it's flawless to you, then send it in.

of the pre-readers who went to BronyCon, who is the most attractive? can we see some pictures?

>>110026
Since this topic came back up, I'll add in that Mrakoplaz, who wrote the 6-star "Our First Steps" is like... Hungarian, I think. He uses Eastern European quote marks anyway.

>>110018
>>110026
Ok, thank you guys ;)

About my writing skills in English, currently I plan to use more "simple" turns of phrase than the ones I can read in 6-stars stories on EQD, because they are a source of problems for me (more grammatical errors may occur). I hope it won't affect the quality of the story. At least, my fanfiction won't contain a lot of errors ^^

I think my English level is "correct" for my age (I'm 20), but trying to write as well as a native English speaker is "too much", in my opinion.

A silly question: where do you see the current rating of a story? I'm not talking about the labels 1/2/3/4/5/6-stars, but the average rating which comes from the votes of the readers. For example, if your fanfiction has an average 4.9/5 stars (or more) after 50+ votes, you can send a mail to Sethisto to get the 6-stars label (if I read correctly). But where can you see it?

Also, where can you vote? oO I must be blind...

>>110039
The star ratings were removed recently.

>>110035
>>110018

Awesome, good to know there are other foreign writers that got there too! Also, 6 star foreign derpy ? I have to read that.

>>110039
my good friend, the star ratings have been cancelled. The reasons are explained in the previous thread, but the tl:dr version is that they were easily exploited.

I still don't know if it's possible to get a 6 star tag these days because of this but I know they're working on it.

>>110042
or anyway ANY kind of star tag. does that mean that there will be a ton of star needed stories for the months to come?

>>110043
Dunno. Seth said he's working on it. Hasn't told us any more than that.

>>110046
(And the other guys)

I understand better, now. Thanks.

So, we're now waiting for the new system, and until it appears, all the new stories will have the "Star-Needed" label.

I wonder how Sethisto will find a better way of voting, since readers' votes seemed to be the best solution to judge the quality of a story...

Pre-readers' votes? Only the first chapter(s) would be evaluated :/ And, as far as I can see, they don't have the time to read each update.

>>110050
The comments are actually the best way to judge the quality of a story. Or, y'know, just reading it for yourself. I trust that the average reader can determine whether or not they like a story based on the description and a few paragraphs. You're not losing much time.

I really don't think any other rating system is necessary. If an author is desperate for upvotes, they can put their story on FimFic and watch them roll in.

>>110052
Well, you may be right. Thanks ;)

>>110052
some might even say that daily renounced to its star ratings before they started to be as useless as fimfiction's.

Okay, I know it isn't y'alls jobs to give detailed reviews to every author who submits. That would take way too much time. But have you ever considered leaving comments? Especially if it's submitted in GDocs. Again, nothing major, but if you notice a big problem passage, you could point it out for the author.

I ask because my rejection letter a few months ago just said, "Look for these issues." Well, if I knew where they were and what the problem was, I wouldn't have made them! But if you just point out one instance of an issue, then we know. I just think that, which might take like five minutes, could probably help a lot of authors.

>>110057
Privacy.

Time.

People not leaving comments open.

People bitching over them reading the beginning, stopping, then continuing (despite the fact that isn't a bad thing, but I seem people elsewhere get angry if you didn't read their 30k story about them having a night out with all the characters of Bleach, testing your suspension of disbelief, and the spine of the character).

People protesting that some pre-reader do it and others don't and therefore it doesn't count.

And quite a couple other stuff which might be a problem.

>>110057
You can reply asking for examples. I just did two days ago on my submission, because my response said that I needed to "avoid 'he did this, she did this, and then this happened'" writing. I got a response with two examples from my fic where those problems occurred.

They do let you ask for clarification.

Has anyone actually written a Nicholas Cage fanfic yet?

(I totally think there should be a HoRI for the pre-readers)

>>110072
*Looks at hard drive*
*Laughs maniacally*

>>110076

Not sure which part he's laughing at, but I'll assume it's the part that one cannot see.

>>110080
There are four possible things I could be laughing about that post. I'm laughing at all four of them.

Well, it's been like two months since they proposed the Nicholas Cage idea. Surely someone has at least tried to write such a fic, right?

HoRI is still a part of /fic/ history. We must never forget the lessons we have learned.

>>110095
>spoiler text

THAT NEVER EVER HAPPENED. NOPE.

>>110104
Hey, look what I just found.

The links still work, too. I know what I'll be reading today.

>>110109
welp. time to start drinkin' early today.

>>110111
That's about the only response.

>>110109
Nothing dies off in the internet. NOTHING.

>>110111
>>110113
Oh, come on, you enjoyed it as much as everyone else. Except maybe Kim.

>>110109
>>110114
>>110072

A novel idea when TotallyNotVimbert wrote it, but seriously. Respect the man a bit and let the fucking story at least fade into history. No need to bring it back.

>>110111
No! Bad pony! Just have a slice of pizza!

Picture semi-related to Seattle.

>>110002
"The multitude is wiser and more constant than a prince." - Niccolo Machiavelli, The Discourses, Chapter 58.

>>110116
DISREGARD THAT, I LIKE SILVER SPOON:

Have a link to the latest version of the story in pastebin:
http://pastebin.com/qGAdZ9uf

Using the power of Googlefu, I found an interesting tidbit from a long time ago.

http://pastebin.com/dv3HpLxZ

We must educate ourselves, for if we do not, history will repeat itself.

Hey, so I just re-submitted a story that I was editing for a while. When I was initial rejected, my pre-reader recommended (but did not say it was required) that I get a Ponychan review. Well, on account of I have other requests active and my story had already gotten two Ponychan edits prior to my submission, I totally spaced on getting a new review.

Since my pre-reader didn't make a review a requirement, am I going to get auto-rejected, or does it matter so long as the errors were corrected?

>>110120
What do you mean with this?

>>110197

I... I actually have no idea.

>>110202

Alert: we are becoming 4chan.

>>110205
Not really. No one has been called a fag in days.

>>110210
All pre-readers and reviewers are fags.
There.

>>110202
Can I wat?

>>110189
If they didn't require a link to a review, you'll be fine.

>>110119

You keep using that name. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Hint: Be familiar with censorship.

>>110003
And I still want this question to be answered. Unless it was answered. Then I apologize and will go sit in the corner of shame.

>>110003
Left? No. Gone on hiatus while they cooled off for a bit? Yeah.

>>110243

Thanks for the prompt answer. Still like hate you all.

I'd be the guy in support who would stab you in the back... twice. And then I'd take you to the hospital and pay the bill.

Okay, I lied about paying the bill.

I'm going to turn the tables, if I may.

You invest so much time in Q&A and this thread so that us as the reader can understand you better. But what if you asked us questions? Perhaps a combo of the two would help put pre-readers and readers see eye to eye quicker.

So, are you up to it? Would it help? Do you have any questions that perhaps we could answer?

And please don't give me the "I'm a reader too, I understand you guys just fine" bullshit. Yes, you're a reader, but you have that little extra rank that I would honestly say changes some things for you in that regard.

>>110289
But the line between reader, reviewer, and pre-reader is paper thin as far as opinions go. If there were to be any questions to be asked by the prereaders, it'd probably be most constructive if they were directed at the average writer than the average reader.

>>110296

Then... do so.

Well, pre-readers?

>>110298
Alright, here's a question for any writer that's submitted to EqD recently:

Is there anything on the submission form/automated response email that could be made clearer? Were any parts confusing?

Semi-related: At any point, did you get the sense that you couldn't respond to us?

>>110307
May I interject that, despite /fic/ debatable importance amongst the fandom due to its paradoxical willingness but ever diminutive size, perhaps asking these sort of questions might be useful in EqD, or perhaps in a forum specifically done for this purpose where one could be anonymous?

The regulars opinions are most likely already known to you, the lurkers aren't that great in number, and the discussion should involve far more people than just the ones here.

>>110312
Well, we can't ask on EqD because Seth would rather not make a whole post for a few dumb questions. This is really the only place I have to ask. It can't hurt, can it? I mean, it's not like we're making any sweeping changes to the submission system based on what's said here. I just want to know if anything is confusing to people that aren't pre-readers.

If the regulars' opinions were known to me, I wouldn't be asking. Relax, anon.

>>110307
The place for the synopsis should probably be called as such in the submission form. Aside from that little complaint on wording, it runs well.

>>110322
So you prefer the wording to say Synopsis than Description?

/me takes note

Thanks sir.

>>110329
Accomplished simply enough. Done. Anything else, folks?

>>110330
Earlier it was asked if the spreadsheet could be made public so that people could see if their story is present in the queue. The answer was obvious: No, there's too much confidential information in that spreadsheet.

However, it's not necessary to publish an entire spreadsheet. If you use the "Publish to the web..." option under File, you can choose to publish only certain sheets. You could make a special sheet that contains only information the public need to see (it could just be one column that has all the stories in the queue, for example) and publish only that.

For proof of concept, here's a spreadsheet of mine published with a single column isolated: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AnDeokHj1HDFdGNtYmpqXzBkTGVhSWw5cVBtY2o3OXc (The actual sheet is https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnDeokHj1HDFdGNtYmpqXzBkTGVhSWw5cVBtY2o3OXc – As you can see, it's private, but the published data remains public.) I've tried all sorts of GET parameters and API requests with the key, and any that try to access the unpublished data either return errors or redirects.

There's also many more complex solutions like extracting JSON data from the sheets that you could use, though they require more technical know-how.

Using such features might be a good idea to give submitters peace of mind without having to nag you lot about the queue's status every week. My 2c.

>>110358
Hm. Not a bad idea. We'll discuss it.

>>110315
Raising a point of inquiry which will receive the attention of a infinitesimally small percentage of people by asking it here rather than in a far more public place is silly. Any solution or opinion derived from here will not actually serve the people the question, theoretically, is suppose to serve.

In other words, asking here makes the answers be flawed from the beginning not only because it is going to be a small group of people who are mostly in accord with each other, it's a small group which is for the most part well outside both your target audience and habitual submitters.

You received one answer from a single person who for personal reasons believes Description should be called Synopsis. This answer will affect the current inflow of 12 stories per day. or more, and cause confusion amongst them for reasons they will not know of, or improve comprehension. That is the issue, a single response is hardly a good way to make such changes, that is why doing it here is less than ideal and why I suggest posting or modifying a post in EqD (perhaps even use the podcasts which you already know what I believe should be done with) to put these questions out. This will actually make it be effective and actually improve things, and chose the best path.

As for being calm, what do you mean?

>>110361
I mean you're attempting to make a non-issue into an issue for no real reason.

Your opinion on the matter has been noted. We'll keep that in mind. Thank you for using the "Ask An Equestria Daily Pre-Reader Anything Thread", and have a nice day.

>>110361

Right, he only received one response because by the time he replied to my post, I had already left for work. We only got one question because we started small. That's the point. If we start small, prove to EqD that there are questions they can come up with to ask us, prove that we're willing to give serious, well thought out answers, then maybe... just maybe Seth would allow a Q&A like the one I started onto EqD. Make sense?

As for your question, Daff: I like the current system. However, I feel that there is a certain lack of human to human interaction. It was nice to be able to submit something, get word from Seth, and then respond with anything ranging from a question to a simple thanks. It would be nice if there were a question slot on the submission form. Or at least an easier way to reach you guys. The submit@equestriadaily.com feels like it's dying off. I liked using it.

>>110370
Submit isn't dying, it's just being used for different things. All fic stuff goes through fanfiction@equestriadaily.com now.

The reason I wouldn't want to add a "Questions" section to the submission form is because we already have a place for people to ask questions -- here. If there was a questions box, every submission would come with a "So when is it gonna be posted?" which is always awkward to answer.

>>110371

I see where you're coming from. From the northwest specifically.

And no wonder I wasn't getting a very quick response to my questions via e-mail. I was using the Submit@EqD email. That brings up an issue. You don't have the right e-mail under the fanfiction tab of submit. It tells us to send anything besides fanfiction to Submit@EqD, but nothing more.

Okay, I lied. It has an ambiguous link. It would be more useful to have the actual e-mail rather than a link.

Have a poisoned perfectly fine cookie with Luna!

>>110365
Actually, it is an issue. You can't take one reply and assume it applies to everyone. The number of responders here are far too small to create a realistic expectation of what the population at large thinks, nor will it produce a deep enough pool of suggestions and/or ideas to draw from.

I also see that you appear to have ignored his suggestion to use the Pre-Reader podcast, which renders your "Can't post it on EqD" argument completely null and void, which is really the only reason for you not to pose those questions. And let's not forget he could easily squeeze it into a Nightly Round-Up.

You're being awfully dismissive of a problem, although that may simply be because you're ignorant of how a polling and census system works.

>>110371
>The reason I wouldn't want to add a "Questions" section to the submission form is because we already have a place for people to ask questions -- here.
And how many people know of this thread? It is not linked to in the submission form or the submission rules page as far as I can tell. A resource is no good to anyone if it is hidden in a seedy alley behind the local brothel. That argument also holds no water unless the public at large is aware, or can become aware easily, of this thread.

>>110373

Your opinion on the matter has been noted. We'll keep that in mind. Thank you for using the "Ask An Equestria Daily Pre-Reader Anything Thread", and have a nice day.

>>110374
It's like leaving a message on some touch-tone phone system: It's pre-recorded, answers nothing, and leaves all those involved with a distinct feeling of being ignored and their their time has been wasted. Ironic, considering how my suggestion is on the topic of you looking for suggestions.
If this is how you run the system, then it is not a system that should be running.

>>110376
I'd just rather not deal with overly negative people who make issues out of nothing. Feel free to join the "I Hate EqD" group on FimFic and complain your heart out to people who care.

I asked a question. A very simple question. I never said we're going to change the entire EqD submission system based on what is said here. I simply wanted to know what the people who come to this thread think of the submission form and email. That's it.

No, we can't put it in a roundup, because getting Seth to actually post something like that is impossible. As far as putting it on a podcast goes, we don't know when the next podcast is going to be.

As previously mentioned, your opinion has been noted. If you don't have any further questions, I'd appreciate it if you took any off-topic discussion to a different thread. I'm sure you wouldn't want to derail this thread, Sturm. That'd be against the rules.

>>110376
>>110373

It's because you're asking him a question with little value.

> you appear to have ignored his suggestion to use the Pre-Reader podcast
One, this wasn't a question. It was an opinion. Two, if it blew up into a thread like this, there simply wouldn't be time. Pre-readers have lives too. So, why are you pushing it so hard? I answered the "question" in 30 seconds and I'm not a pre-reader.

> That argument also holds no water unless the public at large is aware, or can become aware easily, of this thread.
But the answer isn't a "question box on the submission form." I would rather think a link on the submit page would do just fine.

> It's pre-recorded, answers nothing, and leaves all those involved with a distinct feeling of being ignored...
It would help if you asked something, you tart. I'm just saying, he told you, "Hey, I saw your response, and I'm taking note of it."

Lemme ask you this. Do you feel miffed when you reach voice mail? No, you leave your message and trust that eventually, the other person will deal with you.

>>110307
I haven't submitted a new fic recently, so I'm not sure what the current state of the copypasta header is. But when I submitted several months ago, it wasn't really clear to me that I could reply and ask questions. Pretty sure I did anyway, but I was under the assumption that I was being an obnoxious twat about it. And we still see periodic "am I allowed to ask questions about the prereader's comments" questions here. So if it's not in the copypasta yet, that might be a good one to add.

>>110378
>Overly negative
>Big deal out of nothing
If I was negative, I would ask why it mattered anyways because "The pre-readers are worthless"/"EqD is made of egostatiscial people with superiority complexes"/"My suggestion will be ignored" (although you're trying your best to prove that last point).
I believe I succinctly pointed out why it was, indeed, a problem.
Here's a fun one from World War I: The Canadian army issued tin helmets about a year in yet found that injuries, for some reason, had skyrocketed since their introduction. It took a few months of puzzling over why there were more injuries until someone said, "Well, what about the death rate?" It turned out those injuries were the result of the soilders not dying upon being brained by a bullet, which is a rather important distinction to make. Such is the power of a poorly-conceived census system, which is what you have. It is easily fixed, of course, by simply asking the right question from a large enough pool of users.

What is the point of a question when there is no one to answer it? You got one person, one, and that was most likely borne of luck, not design.
>I never said we're going to change the entire EqD submission system based on what is said here.
And I never implied that was the case, merely said that if it was, then you had to cast your net out a bit more.

>No, we can't put it in a roundup, because getting Seth to actually post something like that is impossible
And pray tell, why not? The latest Round-Up featured a call for animators to work on a story animation. You're asking for Seth to post one, maybe two sentences and a link. I do not think that even approaches "improbable", never mind "impossible". I've seen some pretty vacuous stuff on the Round-Up and if that can squeeze in there, then I imagine something that can actually contribute to the fandom should have no problem. I'm sure he'll be able to find room between the bacon ponies and whatever new one-week guild in some MMO is
>As far as putting it on a podcast goes, we don't know when the next podcast is going to be.
Well then, why didn't you say that, instead of blithly brushing us off? If you'd actually been up-front about it we wouldn't have gotten into this mess, now would we? Besides, that still doesn't answer the question of whether or not you can do it, only delays it. Stop avoiding it, please and thank you.

>I'm sure you wouldn't want to derail this thread
I'm asking about the system, and I'm asking you about it. It concerns the Pre-Readers, the Pre-Reader's system, and is being answered by the Pre-Readers (although it's singular, in this case). As far as I can see, not only am I not derailing this, I'm so spot-on that I've driven one arrow into the centre of the target then sent another one down the first's shaft.

>>110380
>You: One, this wasn't a question. It was an opinion.
>Him: perhaps even use the podcasts
>Me: ignored his suggestion
>More Me: suggestion
I never said it was a question. Please read my replies more carefully.

>But the answer isn't a "question box on the submission form."
I never said it was. Please stop trying to assume things. In fact,
You: I would rather think a link on the submit page would do just fine.
>Me: It is not linked to in the submission form or the submission rules page as far as I can tell.
I inferred that a link was the obvious solution from the get-go. Where you are drawing these conclusions from, I do not know.

>It would help if you asked something, you tart
I posed problems with the obvious intent of having him explain the reasons why they were there. A question does not always need an accompanying punctuation mark.
But since you're so intent on them:
>And how many people know of this thread?
There, a question in my reply that he did not answer, thereby rendering your absolute worthless.

>"Hey, I saw your response, and I'm taking note of it."
Which is the polite way of saying "Your suggestion, questions and concerns have been sent to the incinerator for immediate disposal" in my personal experiences.

>Do you feel miffed when you reach voice mail?
Yes I do, actually, to the point of where I often do not leave messages on machines.
>No, you leave your message and trust that eventually, the other person will deal with you.
You assume too much, and so far it has not served you well.

>>110383
>You got one person, one, and that was most likely borne of luck, not design.
I amend this point. You have two now.

>>110383
Thank you for the replies, Sturm. Have a nice day.

>>110386
And I rest my case.
It is much easier to see where the dissidents draw their ire from, following this discourse. All I ask for is answers, which you are unwilling or unable to provide. But that is your perogative, so I shall leave you be. Alienating your customers is not my problem, after all. I only hope the rest of the serving staff does not share your apparent disdain for criticism in regards to your own work, something which your very job is centered around practicing.

>>110383

I dun gone fucked up. I swear I had read it correctly.

Proceed with roasting people. Also, this appears to be the "lone vigilante" Ion-sturm who's appeared. Weren't you trying to shake that personality? Why the sudden return?

Lastly, not that you care or anything, I do believe that what Daff is saying is his nice way of saying, "This is just devolving into a shitstorm. Now kindly go fuck off before it escalates." But don't quote me on that, he just may not be interested in answering things right now, but wants to ensure that people know he's seen their questions/opinions.

Either that or Daff doesn't like you.

Coming from a guy who returned hiding himself with *** makes the whole point moot.

As for Ion, shut up. See those guys above? They will either listen the first time or not listen at all, get a bunch of angry dudes and change it back, find out they solved something which wasn't a problem at all, help dozen of people who suddenly understand with the new change because the jump between description and synopsis was too big, or many other possibilities. The original anon made a good point about something which might or might not be a problem for them (apparently it isn't, they are just making conversation), but continue discussing something they clearly don't want to talk about seems kind of pointless.

Also, I'm sure the pre-readers dislike you. So let us let the thread get back to *** doing his love/<redacted> routine, the same question from the OP, and the periodic shitstorm which entertaining.

>>110389
I had a long reply typed out, but decided it wasn't worth the risk of giving Daffodil a chance to report me for being off-topic. Needless to say, I disagree wholeheartedly on every one of your points (barring the last one, which is pointless speculation that has no purpose in being here other than to serve as a final bullet point to your half-hearted attempt at being passive-aggressive).
Now, would you please follow the example Daff and myself have set and leave well enough alone?

>>110389
I'm just not interested in having a discussion about something totally unrelated to this thread. Currently, there are two acceptable things to post here:

-Questions for the pre-readers.
-Answers to my question of "Is anything confusing on the submission form?"

Sturm seems to be more interested in starting an argument about how, when, and where I asked that question (or something similar.) I'd rather not partake in an argument over something so petty, so the issue was dropped. If he is upset over this, I apologize. It has nothing to do with not being able to take criticism, and everything to do with how that criticism is presented.

Now, ponies.

>>110398
>>110399
>>110401

Aaaannnnd triple teamed. Anyways, I chose to become *** because I tired of having a name. Nothing more, nothing less.

> follow the example Daff and myself have set and leave well enough alone?
Wow, what a bang-up job you did there. If I were to follow your example, I would get my jibes in and then tell everyone to shut up and rerail the thread. And I'm certainly not going to follow Daff's example of trying to find a nice way of saying "I really don't want to talk about this anymore, go away or bring something constructive to the table."

> Needless to say, I disagree wholeheartedly on every one of your points (barring the last one, which is pointless speculation that has no purpose in being here other than to serve as a final bullet point to your half-hearted attempt at being passive-aggressive).
Right, I never asked you to agree to anything. I pretty much apologized for misreading your post and you attack me for it.

> If he is upset over this, I apologize
Don't apologize. Why would you? "Hey, I'm sorry I was trying to do my job and you were offended. I'm sorry you couldn't pick up on my hint. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I see no reason to. When you do something seriously wrong, than maybe you should apologize. But that's just me. Roast me if you want. I still hate you all and I'm to the point where no matter how much you roast me, it's not gonna change in any way.

And you are right. The time for a shitstorm has passed. So, I'll do my part in trying to rerail this thread and ask a question. How do the other pre-readers feel about this thread?

>>110405

>How do the other pre-readers feel about this thread?

Glazed looks and the pity of watching someone untangle a fifty foot extension wire that has been hopeless tied into an innumerable amount of knots.

>>110407

Right, so I could guess that Daff gets a lot flake for it since he's the only pre-reader that actually fully immerses himself in a Q&A thread like this? I get the impression that the rest of you only really come here when something big goes on or post once or twice on your monthly visit to pchan to see if you've been mentioned anywhere.

>>110414
The rest are just busy doing productive things like pre-reading or writing. I just forward emails, so I have much more time to sit here and answer questions.

Though, maybe I should try writing more.

>>110417

> Though, maybe I should try writing more.
That'd be neat. It'd be interesting to see you write. If you ever do and need a reviewer, you have at least one person you could go to to get a review. I'd gladly look over your story.

Not that I like you or anything. *cough* I just want a reason to beat up on a pre-reader's story, I swear. *cough*

I'm sure we could work something out to reveal who I am to you so that you can get in touch if you so desire.

Right, now for the question: Have most pre-readers actually given up writing? Or are they just authors who don't write as often as they might once have?

>>110419
The majority still write, just at a much slower rate.

>>110414
As far as I can see, the ones that used to be /fic/ regulars see this as a sort of backwater place which holds those who couldn't make it and its not worth their time for the most part. The others simply never cared much for the place other than fixing up their stories (if they even used it for that).

I mean, this place is lower in the totem pole, it barely gets mention other than sending people here, and I'm sure the place isn't interesting enough for them anyway. Why would they give a damn?

So I doubt he gets any flak at all, which is a good thing considering he gets enough here.

Also, sage is your friend.
Also, just wanted a name change? That's a good one.

If this has already been answered, just point me to the appropriate reply, but my question is this: Since the star system is gone, what is going to take its place, if anything?

>>110426
No idea. Seth says he's working on it, hasn't told us any more than that.

>>110424

Sage is pointless when the thread is on first page anyways. Plus, this is being bumped left and right. One sage is gonna do squat.

> Also, just wanted a name change? That's a good one.
Oh good, someone was paying attention to my previous posts. But I seriously did get sick of posting as [Name redacted].

>>110422
Good to hear.

Look at this baby picture of me and let your anger fade away. C'mon guys and girls, relax a bit. You're all taking this way too seriously. How about this, I want all of you (Daffodil, Ion, ***, anon) to go write 1000 words, at least. Maybe that'll calm things down.

>>110439
Too productive. I'm playing Kingdom Hearts 2 instead.

>>110439

Right, cause that's gonna happen. I feel like shit at the moment. Anything I write is going to reflect that.

>>110448
Now's the perfect time to write about the cult of Gushnor, then.

>>110451
That cult is full of shit.

>>110451
What? No, seriously, what?

I have no idea what's going on as it's far too late, but just want to pop in and ask: How is everything going, and are there any questions I can help resolve?
Leave a message at the beep, and I'll answer what I can after I'm done being comatose. TTFN.

>>110453
Gushnor is the god of sewage systems or something. The details escape me. I mostly just think of "The Great Mighty Poo" of Conker fame and substitute that in for it.

Here's a visual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w5neFPat1w

What am I supposed to do if someone is trying to submit my story to EqD even though I don't want them to? I've got an overenthusiastic fan who wants to submit it to EqD even though I'm not ready to submit it myself yet. I've told them I'll do it myself whenever I feel the story is up to snuff but I have a feeling they might go for it anyway. I don't want to waste a possible strike on my fic just because someone else submitted it without my permission.

>>110508
If you're sincerely concerned about it, you could email the fanfiction address and give us your fic's name along with your worries. We'll keep an eye out.

>>110499
that was certainly...something.

Look at all these jimmies on the floor!

>>110401
You also forgot we can post Nic Cage.

>>110561

Hey guys, quick question, why did this story get its own post: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/36070/King-of-Diamonds

If it is a continuation of another story? Could I ask to get its own post if I update a secondary story of my own?

>>110569
That story shouldn't have had its own post. Word of Seth says that sequels/continuations/side stories get added to the original post. I'll talk to Midnight about that one.

>>110569
>>110578
Well, if the story could strictly stand on its own, then why couldn't/can't it get a post of its own?
For example, I was thinking of a series of folklore one-shots, as told by the main six (and friends). As long as they fulfill the one-shot wordcount requirements and do not require the reader to read previous entries, then they should technically recieve their own posts. The only common element would be the folklore angle, after all.

>>110581
That's different. You're referring to multiple separate stories in the same genre. That's fine.

What was posted is a sequel to an existing story that is already on Equestria Daily. Sequels get treated as updates and added to the original post, which is then bumped.

>>110581
That was more or less what I was thinking. I can understand about keeping space and all, but are the stories of a same universe all contained within a single post (making them canon post, which is more awesome than story post if you ask me) or can you have stories that happen within a similar universe and time-line, but still get their own post?

In that case thought it calls itself directly book 2 of the story, so I'm not sure how much of that argument you can make, but still, it got my hopes up.

>>110583
>>110582
Well, it wouldn't be a problem, except those "Story 2" posts don't get re-bumped and the announcement is instead tucked away into the mess that is Story Update posts, thereby killing any and all chances (or at least the vast majority) of it finding new readers.

Skimming through it, I haven't seen anything that would require me to read the first part. Unless someone points out a situation that obviously requires me to read the original, I'd say it stands as its own work. Sorta like how The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are set in the same mythos, but LotR does not require you to have read The Hobbit beforehand.

>>110610
>Well, it wouldn't be a problem, except those "Story 2" posts don't get re-bumped and the announcement is instead tucked away into the mess that is Story Update posts, thereby killing any and all chances (or at least the vast majority) of it finding new readers.
Yeah, and? The readers of the original fics find them, and that's all that matters. EqD doesn't exist so authors can pimp out their work to new readers. That's just a side effect.

>Skimming through it, I haven't seen anything that would require me to read the first part.
Good thing I recently learned that the opinion of one person should not be taken as an indicator of how the majority feel.

The story is a sequel and should be treated like every other sequel is treated. Whether or not you like that method or think it fits with this case is irrelevant. Midnight likely got a bit trigger-happy and gave his own fic its own post without thinking. This shouldn't be taken as an indicator of how sequels will be posted from now on.

>>110614
>The readers of the original fics find them, and that's all that matters.
Why should new work be shunted out of the way? You keep using absolutes, and they keep being wrong.

>Good thing I recently learned that the opinion of one person should not be taken as an indicator of how the majority feel.
>Unless someone points out a situation that obviously requires me to read the original
>I'd say
I never said it was the general populace's opinion, nor was it stated in such a way that suggested that my opinion was set in stone, as I left a very clear and obvious way for you to show me that it is not, in fact, its own work.
Please stop trying to take my statements out of context for your own ends.

If he dumped the references to his last story it could have easily been seperate without you ever knowing, assuming you've never read the original. I highly doubt any of his fans would have sold him out, after all. He could have easily bypassed the system but instead played it straight.

>This shouldn't be taken as an indicator of how sequels will be posted from now on.
Actually, I've talked to Seth about this and it could very well be, come Fall when the Summer rush ends.
Just an FYI.

>>110615
Thanks for your input.

I can't really think of a nicer way to say this, so I'll just say it:
If you don't have any questions for the pre-readers, Sturm, please stop posting in this thread. Your off-topic and inflammatory comments were initially entertaining, but they're starting to get on my nerves. I really don't want to start a fight or have to report you. If you feel that some aspect of the pre-reader system/EqD is not functioning as it should, I'd love to hear about it, so long as you can keep it mature and leave the sarcasm somewhere else. If you can't, find something else to do with your free time. Okay? Good.

>>110618
All I'm asking for is an answer. I cannot control you evading or ignoring it and me having to restate it more bluntly. You are a Pre-Reader, you are answering the questions I'm addressing to you. If you do not want to or cannot answer them, please direct another Pre-Reader here who can and will. Frankly, the lack of their presence in this thread, considering your team numbers in the tens, is rather worriesome. I, personally, would love to see some more voices in here. Cassius is the only other Pre-Reader who's posted in here recently from what I can see, and that was to make a quip.

This is "Ask the Pre-Readers Anything" thread. Please answer "anything" or change the name to reflect your actual focus, since it's rather misleading otherwise. My inquiries are related to the submission system, and now the posting system, both of which the Pre-Readers, if not directly involved in, are at least inextricably tied to. If you can direct me to a more suitable forum to discuss this, then please, by all means do so (barring Sethisto himself, since I would rather not bother him with this until I've had a chance to discuss it with the Pre-Readers). My Email is no secret, after all.

Please, show me where I've used sarcasm in our latest discourse. I am not the one saying "Thanks for your input" and then dismissing you out of hand. Being forward and pointed is not the same as being "immature and sarcastic". I want you to prove me wrong, because then that will mean we're getting somewhere.

>>110621
In your two most recent posts, you haven't asked a single question.

You asked a question here:
>>110581
Which was answered here:
>>110582

That's it. You've made a few of vaguely-insulting statements:
>Just an FYI.
>You keep using absolutes, and they keep being wrong.
>tucked away into the mess that is Story Update posts, thereby killing any and all chances (or at least the vast majority) of it finding new readers.

But you haven't actually asked any more questions. So, if you actually have something to ask, please be succinct about it. If not, I think this conversation is over.

For the sake of breaking the tension, I'll move us onto something else and ask a question, I suppose.

How likely are pre-readers to accept something based on just 'liking' it? For example, if a pre-reader isn't necessarily fond of TwiDash and will be more harsh on that fic than say one that has RariDash because they like that kind of thing? I guess I'm curious about the biased choosing upon content than storytelling. Not trying to accuse the pre-readers of being biased, but it's just a natural human thing to be less harsh on things you actually like. For pre-readers really strive to put their likes aside or is it a kind of thing that is just overlooked?

>>110630
Most of the pre-readers are aware of their biases and will avoid stories they'd be biased towards/against. It's also become a common practice to get a second (or third) opinion on a story if the first pre-reader feels they are being unfairly harsh or not picking up on things due to some sort of bias.

Things do slip through the cracks, but we try very hard to make sure those instances are rare.

>>110627
How is FYI an insulting statement? I am informing you of what could be an important change. The fact that may have not been aware of it shows a disconnect between the Blog Ponies and the Pre-Readers.

Why are you taking my opinion on the Story Update to be insulting? You cannot control that. It is still a statement of fact that the Story Update posts are far from ideal and greatly hinder long stories from finding the audience they deserve. Calling it a "mess" is hardly the epitome of social impasse, after all. If anything, it is a reserved comment on its state.

As I said earlier, a question does not need to have a question mark to make it as such. I asked if you had a better place to talk about this, but you did not answer it. I asked why new work that had a thread between it and an older piece be removed from the public eye, and you did not answer it. I asked you to send someone more willing to talk if you did not feel up to it, and you did not answer it. My point of there being few Pre-Readers in here was obviously an invitation for you to elaborate on why you're the only person facing down my bull in your china shop. I also asked where I had been "immature and sarcastic", which you also did not answer, but instead shifted into a tangent of me being "insulting", which is another example of you trying to dodge me.

Again, my Email is always open if you'd prefer to continue this there.

>>110633
> I asked if you had a better place to talk about this.
I do, but I have very little interest in talking to you more than is absolute necessary. I'm only answering these in the hopes that you will leave this thread afterwards, though I know that won't happen. Next question.

> I asked why new work that had a thread between it and an older piece be removed from the public eye.
It's not removed from the public eye, they're just combined into update posts. If every fic update got their own post on EqD, nothing would stay on the front page for long, so stories wouldn't get their time in the spotlight. They're put in update posts because, at the moment, that's how Seth wants it to be. Next question.

>I asked you to send someone more willing to talk if you did not feel up to it.
No one is willing to talk to you. Next question.

>I also asked where I had been "immature and sarcastic"
"Just an FYI" is a very sarcastic statement. I know how you meant it, and I know you're going to play stupid about it.

Now please leave my thread. Thank you.

A quick recap of this current thread, for those watching at home:

>>110307: PR Daffodil asks a sigle question to this thread as a small sampling.

>>110312: Random anon asks why not ask on Equestria Daily

>>110315: PR Daffodil responds to random anon saying it's not that pressing of a matter to require posting on Equestria Daily

>>110322
>>110358: People actually answer PR Daffodil's question

>>110359: PR Daffodil acknowledges legitimate responses

>>110361: Random anon presses for PR Daffodil to ask the question on Equestria Daily

>>110365: PR Daffodil points out that it's a non-issue that was asked for curiosity, not for wide, sweeping changes, and is therefore unsuited for taking up space on Equestria Daily.

>>110373: Ion Storm presses PR Daffodil to ask the question on Equestria Daily

>>110374: PR Daffodil points out that it's a non-issue that was asked for curiosity, not for wide, sweeping changes, and is therefore unsuited for taking up space on Equestria Daily.

>>110376: Ion Storm takes offense at PR Daffodil not wanting to make a big deal out of a question originally asked out of curiosity, not for wide, sweeping changes

>>110378: PR Daffodil points out that it's a non-issue that was asked for curiosity, not for wide, sweeping changes, and is therefore unsuited for taking up space on Equestria Daily.

>>110383: Ion Storm complains about the matter in which PR Daffodil asked the original question and points out how PR Daffodil should have acted differently if his intentions were different than they originally were.

>>110386: PR Daffodil points out that it's a non-issue that was asked for curiosity, not for wide, sweeping changes, and is therefore unsuited for taking up space on Equestria Daily.

>>110388: Ion Storm insults the prereading staff in general because PR Daffodil won't rise to off-topic baiting of "Why don't you ask your small curiosity of a question on a huge blog that has better things to do with its time?"

>>110401: PR Daffodil attempts to end off-topic discussion and reiterates his original curiosity question that is intended as a gauge, not a forum to enact wide, sweeping changes.

>>110581: Ion Storm asks a legitimate question about the workings of EQD.

>>110582: PR Daffodil gives an answer to Ion's legitimate question.

>>110610: Ion Storm begins questioning the workings of EQD themselves.

>>110614: PR Daffodil explains the workings of EQD, and how they work well enough for their intentions.

>>110615: Ion Storm continues to question the workings of EQD, convinced that they should change to accommodate a minority.

>>110618: PR Daffodil asks Ion Storm to stop wasting everyone's time with the incessant, redundant questions.

>>110621: Ion Storm takes offense to being asked to stop wasting everyone's time with incessant, redundant questions that have already been answered, and accuses PR Daffodil of "dodging" questions, even though PR Daffodil has been both timely and thorough in answering Ion Storm's questions.

>>110636
Congratulations, you get a Nic Cage.

>>110635
>my thread
Well, that answers a lot.
Very well. Good night.

I just wanted to know if now sequels got their own post...

So what happens to Midnight's post now?

>>110640
I don't know. Seth will probably just let it be since it's already posted. I plan on talking to Midnight the next time he's online.

>>110636
Seems like a bit of a biased recap in my opinion. I think the points that Ion brought up and the push for the continuation of the conversation weren't anything wrong or arbitrary. The problem being is that personal scores seem to be pressing themselves into the conversation. The actual content of the discussion doesn't seem to be what's paid attention to, it's what Daffodil is 'unwillingness to discuss' and Ion's 'bartering of unnecessary discussion' that's the problem, yet it's just plaid through the topic.

It's a kind of thing where both parties are in the wrong for getting so provoked about it.

For what it's worth, I'm a pre-reader, and I did expressly ask if anyone had additional questions. Anyone? Anyone?
Also, it's over 100 deg here today. Heat index in the one-teens. I'm seriously tempted to cut the beard. And the hair, for that matter.

>>110642
I will agree with this. The original anon made a good point about how this place would give little response, which it did (or didn't... my english is no good) as you can see when his responses were basically hours apart and there was only two responses to the question (one which was actually an old answer to an old question, but still counts I guess). Then again, Daffodil did say he didn't care for the answer, so that wasn't really a problem.

Then Ion-sturm came up to continue said points, then got it tangle with a bunch of stuff about the army, until they both stopped talking because Daffodil thought there were more important stuff than asking people what they thought in a place where more people could answer (like the anon said) while Ion thought it was dumb they didn't do it because it didn't cost them any real time to add it to the podcast or to the post. Or something like that.

Now he came back to discuss about sequels getting their own posts, despite being told immediately how it worked. I'm not sure what he was arguing though, something about sequels being their own stories, even thought they were the same story? I can't tell.

First one he was kind of right, second one he was just being stupid.

>>110645

How come we never talk anymore?

Locked while mods look at this thread.

Unlocked, carry on, Remember your apples.

>>110645

This guy is offering to answer question. Ask them.

I haven't been to this place in a while. Almost twenty-one months since the premiere... we're getting old, aren't we?

Well, anyway, I have a question. How many languages do the pre-readers know? I'm fluent in English (durr), know enough Spanish to get around, and I intend to be conversational in Japanese by next summer. Screw Kanji, by the way.

>>110641
I remember this same topic came up in one of these threads before. The answer was that you can submit the sequel to go through the prereaders and if it passes it gets its own post, or you can just do it as an update and only get the update post.

>>110645
Alright, here's something I've been wondering. One way to become a prereader (as stated in the past) is to have two five star stories on Equestria Daily. However, with star ratings going away, this will be impossible to accomplish. So, are you going to come up with a new criteria for recruiting authors who don't edit/review, or are you going to stick to reviewers and known editors?

>>110656
That criteria disappeared ages ago. Right now it mostly just competence and sociability. In other words, show that you aren't an illiterate idiot and the pre-readers will select you to join them if they think you will work well with them.

Case point? Most of the pre-readers don't even have more than one story, much less one with five-stars, but you can be sure they know what they are doing.

>>110657

There's got to be something more.

>>110660
Well, some else come and confirm, but there is no secret handshake, no cabal meeting, no secret plan to steal the heart of the fandom, no special group of super-friends which hide away in skype and plan which of their friends should be the next pre-reader, no assigning new pre-readers from people you know because they are the ones you know. Nothing.

You send and application, they see that you don't write like most of the people who come to this board for help, you aren't an asshole with everyone for no reason, you show willingness to actually do it, you are better than most of the other applicants, and you are in. That's it. Nothing special. Except for most people not being able to to do it because they are ignorant fucks, but that's not the point.

>>110651
I really can't answer the language question. I know we have folks from all over, but fluency has (in my memory) not been discussed. I speak English and Blasphemy, m'sef.

Things may have gotten a bit heated up recently, so here's a pic to help cheer everyone up.

>>110663
This.

>>110681
That very first frame.

I completely lost my shit.

On the topic of story updates for sequels, side stories, and standalone stories set in a contiguous universe, and a couple other questions I randomly came up with:

How do pre-readers (not just Daff, but him too) feel about a change in the system as follows: When a sequel, or side story is first published/released, if the PR's deem it a standalone piece, the original story's post get "bumped" (idk if that would even work on blogger/Intensedebate) while updates beyond the new story are treated as they are now.

How many new pre-readers have you added since the start of the year?

Hersheys or Cadbury?

Was The Sorcerer's Apprentice made a better movie or worse movie with the casting of Nicholas Cage?

Star Wars or Star Trek? (Books, not the movies/TV series)

>>110663
>>110694

Right, I see where I'm probably lacking.

Either that, or enough pre-readers dislike me to keep me from EqD pre-readership. Buuuuut I won't find that answer here.

I bid you all a fair night.

>>110715

>Either that, or enough pre-readers dislike me to keep me from EqD pre-readership.

*FWOMP*

ALERT: DELUSION DETECTED. Firing the Orbital Ego-Puncturing Cannon.

>>110736
Pretty much.

I'll straight up say that a majority of us didn't know who you were at all when we got an application.

>>110738

Are you referring to me, or Lunar?

>>110739
Both.

>>110743

In that case, here is my recently updated list of things I am:

1) Embarrassed

>>110744
I do hope you know I'm not 9Nine9 thought.

>>110744
>*FWOMP*

I thought we talked about that

>>110744
I meant Lunar.

>>110747

OMG SEATLE ISNT THE STORY AWESOM NAO???

(I'm kidding; don't answer that. Also, for the love of God, please don't every tell anyone I actually made that joke)

>>110748

This anon is doing some rustling of the jimmy variety, then.

>Don't every

Wow... go me. You win this round, late night board-posting.

>>110750
Ok, this is killing me, what joke was that?!

>>110751

Which one? There were several.

>>110736

Ego deflated.

>>110738
>>110748

Really? I feel that recently, you've seen my name in the submission box rather frequently. Heh, guess I get stuck with the same magnificent bastard of a pre-reader.

>>110762
Uhm, no?

Can you accept that things aren't about your, you know, reputation?

And believe me, we're busy enough that I won't notice one author appearing more than once in a month.

>>110764

AAA!!! I wasn't implying some sort of reputation! No, I don't think that at all... I was referring to the fact that in the past month or so I've submitted 3 or 4 stories.

I'm sorry if anyone thought I was trying to boast that I had some sort of reputation.

>>110768

There are authors that submit even more often than that, and they aren't pre-readers either. Quality over quantity, my friend. It's got nothing to do with how many you submit, and everything to do with whether you're going to work well with the rest of the PRs. That's determined by things from your writing style to your overall attitude toward other authors, and everything in between. At least that's my understanding.

>>110776

I guess. I would never claim to be the most frequent submitter to EqD, but I don't know... 3 or 4 within a several period week seems like a lot. (I was clearing out my old stories that had been neglected for long enough.)

>>110709

>How do pre-readers (not just Daff, but him too) feel about a change in the system as follows: When a sequel, or side story is first published/released, if the PR's deem it a standalone piece, the original story's post get "bumped" (idk if that would even work on blogger/Intensedebate) while updates beyond the new story are treated as they are now.
The pre-readers aren't even involved in sequel updates. Those go straight to submit@eqd, which is how Sethisto wants it. If he changes his mind, we'll debate best methods of display. This idea has its merits but it's really a non-issue at the moment.

>How many new pre-readers have you added since the start of the year?
Less than a half-dozen. Don't have access to expand on that here at the office.

> Hersheys or Cadbury?
Cadbury Dairy Milk, please, but otherwise I'm buying the 80% dark chocolate bars by various manufacturers.

> Was The Sorcerer's Apprentice made a better movie or worse movie with the casting of Nicholas Cage?
Nicholas Cage is the cinematic equivalent of bacon. He improves everything. Yes. Everything.

>Star Wars or Star Trek? (Books, not the movies/TV series)
SW. Admiral Thrawn miniseries, plzthx.

>>110778
Well I'm a bad guage as I've been busy with TWO summer classes... both six weeks long, so fairly packed.

>>110779
NickNack
Chromosome
Vimbert
Drakmire
Seattle

That is the half-dozen you talk about? I could have sworn there were two more, but my memory is a crapshoot these days.

>>110803
Unless memory fails me, that's the complete list, yes.

>>110807
Somewhere, Filler and Cassius are crying in a corner.

>>110810
Cassius cry? That can happen!?

>>110810
Filler a pre-reader? That's a new one.

>>110810
>>110811

Get on the wire. Spread the word to every member around the board. Let 'em know how to bring this guy down.

Based on comments from previous threads, the number is actually closer to ten new pre-readers, and that is only amongst the public ones.

>>110810
I'm pretty sure he didnt' want people to know.

>>110817
Him being Filler

>>110817
Well, fuck me, then.

>>110820

So if Seattle is Rainbow Dash, are you Applejack in that picture?

>>110820

It was Dash that got drugged, right? I think I'm reading the picture right...

>>110823
Clearly, I'm Gilda and am busy on the lower half of this scene.

>>110825
We just need a clopfic now... wait... damn it Nick, why you make me remember about that?

>>110826
No idea, nor why that's a bad thing.

I'm about to submit my story. I have four chapters done of what will end up being around 15. How much do you like to be done before submission? I figured that four chapters is enough to show I have a good grasp on writing and grammar.

>>110838
Well, we have word requirements, but four chapters if just fine if it's plenty of words.

Posting this in here since Nick and Seattle's thread got saged and I don't know if he's still checking it.

Sorry about the late response, I don't like responding to feedback until I've made changes based on what's been said, or at least given some serious, logical thought so I can avoid the hoof in the mouth.

Thanks for the review, I'm glad you could get into it this time. You didn't point out any spelling, grammar, or amateur writing mistakes, so I'll assume that either there aren't any or you didn't see them. Good thing there, as that's what I've been focusing on as of late.

In regards to your order of the scenes and pacing. Yes, the story is slow. Painfully slow. Glacier slow. I blame it on my inexperience as a writer, and it's something I need to work on. It has gotten especially bad in the last two Chapters I've written, and I'm going to take this next one to focus on getting things moving at a better pace.

In regards to Chapter 1 and what you said about cutting out information that isn't relevant to the plot. You have a point that the scenes don't flow. So, I took a look at the scenes, and I've tried this: Instead of starting the story at the lunch scene, I've rewritten the Celestia and Luna's scene so that it has relevance and introduces the reader to the overall plot. It gave me a chance to fill a few holes that I noticed were starting to form, and it further solidifies events that occur later on in the story.

All in all, glad you liked it, I'll keep going with it, and hopefully EqD will approve it soon. By the way, is a week and a half a common for wait time? I got a confirmation email that it was received when I sent it on July 1st, but I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks again.

>>110823
>>110823
>>110824
>>110825
>>110826
>pic related bitches

*ahem*
>>110845
No worries CS, glad I was able to be helpful.
>is a week and a half a common for wait time?
No. The fucking levy broke because Snarkle forgot to pay off the engineering corps with virgins and cocaine. Again. No worries though, we nearly got it shored up. Be with ya shortly.

>>110853
I think I know y'alls engineer...

Have the prereaders ever been pleasantly surprised by a fic that at first glance appeared cliche and boring, but turned out to be good? And if so, what fic?

>>110857

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/07/story-do-not-serve-these-ponies.html

I thought it was going to be another "LOL LYRA LIKES HOOMANS" fic, but it turned out to be pretty funny.

>>110859
Remind me to never read the EqD comment section again.

>>110853
Are you planning to open another review thread, or are you done for the nonce?

>>110860
I learned that lesson months ago. Hell, I don't even visit EqD much at all anymore.

>>110853

Consider opening a new thread! You've reviewed one of my stories, and I'm not telling you which. But needless to say, I was impressed and I do like your reviewing style. You don't hold an author's hands to the point that you're dragging them through the writing. But you don't just let the author wallow in vague comments either.

>>110902

I still go because the art is nice. Have as many sources as possible and you're bound to get quality of any material. You just have to be patient and wait.

As always, I still think you're a pretty cool guy.

>>110924
>statements not redacted
What is the board coming to when someone's personal quirks aren't observed religiously! Something is terribly wrong here, it must be an impostor!

>>110930

Look, I had someone jump on my ass about redacted statements. They ended up presenting a circle argument and it could have gone on for hours if I hadn't finally had the smarts to just leave. It caused enough trouble as is.

So for now, I'm gonna let it slide to avoid further drama until I can be sure said person isn't going to jump on me again.

I don't care what he says, though. My attitude towards society at large is rather bleak. And calling me a cowered, telling me it's irrational, telling me it's anger at myself channeled through hate of society isn't going to change that.

I recently got first strike on a story submission, and one of the issues brought up by my pre-reader was that my story had 'spacing errors', and appeared to be 'center justified' rather than 'left justified'. For clarification, that was all part of the same thought, not two separate complaints.

My issue is, I submitted my story from FiMfiction, where the only options are left alignment and center alignment, and the only center aligned items I had in the length of the fic were the title and the section breaks (- - -, in my case).

So, I guess my question is this: am I missing something about the layout of the site, is 'left alignment' different than 'left justification', or is there something else I'm missing? For reference, here's the FiMfiction link: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/36254/Where-Loyalties-Lie

Thanks a ton for any clarification you can offer on this topic.

-Loyal Liar

>>110938
That looks fine to me. You can send a response email to ask for clarification on that point.

Hi there! I had a story rejected the other day for the first time, and I was not told why, except that my story was "unexceptional." This is very vague, and I would love an opportunity to improve the story if only I knew why it was rejected.

I would reply directly to the email except that, like an idiot, I deleted it.

The pen-name is Guesswork, and the story is called The Canterlot Embassy.

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/25286/The-Canterlot-Embassy

THANK YOU!

>>110940

It means that you need serious edits. They're numerous enough that I can't recommend posting. It's suggested that you find a nice review thread and submit... AFTER reading the rules of the thread of course.

They'll help you sort this out.

Either that, or they think your story is so cliche and has nothing to really set it apart.

And looking at it, it's human. Those are hard to get onto EqD.

Yeah, it's probably a combo of all three. You're best bet is to get three or four reviews and pray for the best.

>>110941

> . They're numerous enough that I can't recommend posting

And proving that I'm only human. I take no credit for any pre-reading done here. I'm not a pre-reader.

I should be s/he.
They're refer's to the number of errors.

Sorry if this caused confusion.

This thread... it died. Lemme go hop on my pally and cast a quick resurrection spell.

Ask and ye shall receive:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AtvMttKpjm7udHZfLTdTd0lDcFFQRmpDMDdhUlJUQlE&single=true&gid=18&output=html

Pre-reader queue information. Updates every five minutes.

Thanks to Roger for the idea and Ebon Mane for making it function properly. Now maybe people will stop asking how busy we are.

>>111038

Nice stats. Give Roger and Ebon Mane my thanks. And nice to see that this thread isn't totally dead. I was getting worried. This is probably my favorite thread out of all the ones I may or may not visit.

>>111038
>382 fics posted
>120 fics permanently rejected
>1362 fics that got dinged, and the author didn't try again
>???
>Prereaders are fascists who keep amazing fics off EQD, when they deserve to be posted there

>>111042
We're such horrible monsters, I know.

>>111047

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3q388o/

>Link

No. No way. It's fucking impossible. That can't be true.

>>111051

Why not both?

>>111042
>>111047
>>111051
You know, I am actually curious as to why that occurs.

Most of the pre-readers here mention how they send their rejections for stories which could have made it if they improve a tiny bit with as much positive light to that fact as possible, yet most do not return.

It would perhaps be of interest to know why. Maybe someone can run a poll and ask them?

>>111038
>>111040
>>111042
>>111047
>>111051
>>111053
These posts need to be framed in gold and hung in public for all to see.

>>111051
Are you saying I CAN'T live off of tears?

*single tear*

No I don't have a MFW for that, someone gimme one.

Image unrelated.

>>111053

Updated counts document to include the number of rejections due to 3 strikes rule.

I will be the first one to say:

Those fics rejected by three strikes? They were not simply one moon for "show vs tell" or one moon for "editing" from finishing. They were truly flawed and the author rushed fast edits on almost all of them, attempting to fix only what we mentioned, instead of really working on their fic with editors or spending real time on them.

This is what the three strikes rule has achieved:

The total of fics that we have rejected via moon (resubmit and revision), automoon (filtered by the fanfic box address), and sun (permanently for any reason) is 2161 as of this post.

13 of those were for three strikes. This accounts for about .006% of fanfics that aren't all even permanently banned.

Of permanently banned, just about 10%.

Please go.

(image unrelated again)

About how long should an author wait before checking to see if a submission was somehow lost or delayed?

Reposting cause reasons.
>>111042
>>111047
>>111051
>>111069
You know, I am actually curious as to why that occurs.

Most of the pre-readers here mention how they send their rejections for stories which could have made it if they improve a tiny bit with as much positive light to that fact as possible, yet most do not return.

It would perhaps be of interest to know why. Maybe someone can run a poll and ask them?

>>111079
I doubt most of them would want to answer a poll like that. It might seem like patronizing to them.

>>111087
Can't hurt to try. Worse case scenario you get no responses and nothing happens, or you get responses and they are mostly guys raging about how wrong you are, or you get proper reasons that might lead to improvement to that.

I mean, as much as I think it is funny you try to sound like assholes, reaching out like that might make those stories you wanted to see in EqD but couldn't because the person disappeared for reasons unknown have a better chance.

>>111078
We're a little backed up at the moment. Any more than 8-10 days, and bugging the fanfic email would be a good idea.

What are the chances of being rejected out of hand if I try to submit a HiE (not BiE)?

>>111149

No sweat. Thanks a lot!

>>111157
depends on the quality of the fics. I know that Stories that have great character development/long and not half assed tend to be posted if they're worthy. That only if we're talking about HiE and not BiE, as far as I knwo those are rejected immediately.

Question: what font fo you prefer reading/ you regard as the best to be read? I always use Garamond (13), I fell in love with that little bastard.

>>111209
Well that definitely is good news. I was afraid it would be rejected immediately because of the somewhat controversial genre.

>>111213
Check out Arddun LLeuad if you want a god tier example of how a human in equestria fic should be made.

>>111210
Comic Sans

I really don't give a damn

>>111210
Times New Roman, Size 12.

>>111235

What... have you done?! Vimbert the Mad, I say!

>>111237

I personally use Arial 11 and there haven't been any issues with pre-readers yet. Aren't the two pretty much the same?

>>111238
So long as the story is readable, we won't mention the font or font size. Times New Roman is just the font I prefer to read.

>>111237
>>111238
Haha, good joke, guys. Very funny.

Arial is the worst.

I like sylfaen or constantia. But I'm also rather hipster about fonts. NOTHING HAS SYLFAEN

How many( if any) female pre-readers exist?

Hi folks.

I'm gonna try to be positive and constructive today instead of cynical. It probably won't work out, but here goes anyway.

>Stats.

Thank you. This is very good stuff and gets all of my yes, appreciation and respect.

>Why do mooned fics rarely return?

Well, I can only speak for mine, but here goes.

The two fics I have submitted I submitted as finished, meaning I had already made the creative decisions I was going to make and was not the right mindset to accept criticism.

I guess that's true in general. If authors aren't interested in feedback from PR's they won't resubmit. There are many possible reasons for that:

- They might not take criticism at all.
- They might already have and be happy enough with a readership through some other medium that they don't want to change.
- They might only take criticism from people they have a relationship with and respect.
- They might have already accepted input from a group of people they're happy with and not be ready to welcome another cook in the kitchen.

I think my own cases are a combination of those factors. Like, if I had submitted to TTG and Dem or Cassius complained about my mechanics, I'm all ears, but when PR Grump did so on "Watching Paint Dry," my gut reaction was "who is this asshole?"

There's also a pair of cognitive biases that people like things more when:
- They have invested their own effort or choice in them.
- Their ability to choose is taken away.
Like all cognitive biases, this happens without people being consciously aware of them.

PRs, especially on the first round, are in the double situation of having no investment and having the option of sending a submission back for improvement.

Authors are emotionally invested and decide they're "finished" or "ready for submission" when they can't see how to improve a story any more. They're doubly biased towards their stories, compared to PRs.

So I think the large moon-and-abandon rate comes from a fundamental collision of human nature. PRs think that mooning a story will make it better - not entirely rationally; there's a good chance that mooning will kill it. Authors think that a first-time rejection is an assessment of their stories' quality - when it's also a reflection of PR hope that it can be even better.

Just my 2 cents though.

>>111253
If Shit-prereaders say if any guide, they are all beautiful fillies.

>>111263
So... make the pre-readers seem more human and they will come?

>>111253
I know there's at least one or two...

>>111263
That makes a great deal of sense. I've been in that position before as an author, and my thoughts ran along a similar tack.

As something of a view horse, I revised anyway, but I can understand why that would dissuade some people.

I've kept quiet about this for too long. The collected story update posts are hindering the popularity of ongoing fics. With the system we have now, we will never have another story as popular as Past Sins or Fallout: Equestria.

We need to find a way to fix this.

>>111287
Short of making a whole new website solely dedicated to rating fanfiction with something similar to the pre-readers, this won't happen.

Right now there are about ten stories submitted per day to the pre-readers, more coming into FiMfiction, which is roughly a novel length for the pre-readers and about a Lord of the Rings Book for FiMfiction.

If they were to make them individual, EqD would become fanfiction only as other things are kept under single posts (pictures, music, events, etc.).

So... help make a new website which rates fanfics like EqD and has a shiny archive and you might be unto something.

>>111287
The fact that we'll never have another story as popular as Past Sins or Fo:E has nothing to do with how EqD handles story updates. I'm not sure where you got the idea, but I'd like to hear the logic behind it.

If you're not happy with the way we handle updates, feel free to submit your work elsewhere. Individual updates will not get their own story posts due to the sheer volume of fics/updates submitted. Maybe after the summer when things slow down that will change.

>>111287
I agree if having the posts as a list is how story updates will be handled from now on. But if you refer to having every update as its own post, then fanfics would be 60% of EqD's posts.

>>111290
I believe he means that it's harder for fics to get attention this way.

>>111289
I'm not saying make them individual.

A while back I emailed EqD, asking them to put the names of stories in the update posts, similar to how music posts work. Seth replied saying that he would; but it hasn't happened.

>>111293
I think you're misunderstanding the purpose of EqD. When a story is accepted, it gets a story post. From there, any readers that are interested are free to go track/favorite it on FimFic and get their updates that way. The Update posts are a remnant of a time when FimFic wasn't nearly as big as it is now and there was no easy way to get story updates.

We give the stories their fifteen minutes of fame with the initial story post. The update posts are just icing on the cake. If readers are too lazy to click past the break and scroll through or track the story on FimFic, that's their fault, not ours.

>>111293
Have you seen some of these fic titles? With the amount of story updates, the title would be a paragraph long.

>>111290
The logic behind that is simple: a single large post means that stories are for the most part left to divide the attention of the reader and the discussion that follow the story than entices some most of them is simply not there.

Granted, a good synopsis is still more or less a requirement, but when face with too many choices the effort of sort through said choices, most people simply filter the other choices and choose what they always choose (case point: people ordering from a menu in a restaurant will for the most part always choose the first meal they had there) rather than trying new things.

Having separate posts really mitigates this, as there is only one thing to have attention for and one decision to make rather than several.

And thus why EqD's arrangement makes the possibility of longs fcs be so much smaller nowadays.

>>111293
I am wondering what does that mean. Stories get their names on them, in all updates (except for the last one which has a reason for that), what are you going on about.

>>111297
I meant in the title, so it would show up on the RSS.

>>111297
The reason we'll likely never have another Fo:E or Past Sins is because of the amount of stuff out there that is, as you said, dividing the attention of potential readers. I don't think it matters how we arrange the stuff. It's still there, and that's what matters.

The reason Fo:E became a thing is because when it first started, the brony fandom was much smaller, and most of the fanfics were crap. Everyone had heard of it or read it, so it became a bit of a phenomenon. Nowadays, with a much larger fandom producing many more (and better) works regularly, the chances of something striking a chord with that many people is slim.

tl;dr - We can't have another Fo:E because the fandom has grown out of that stage. At least, in my opinion.

>>111295
Errr... the only ones to suffer in this situation are the writers, which are the ones that provide content for your website.

The fact that EqD is the sole place where you can get a pre-filtered list (because people are lazy and actually don't like having too many choices in the real world rather than their theoretical mindworld) means your argument of "don't post here" to have little reality to it.

Plus, FiMfiction is a self-fueling thing which hogs the feature bar in ways we all know suck, so saying get your good stories there is not quite a good idea (I say this because it has actually become rare for the feature in EqD story to get in that bar).

>>111301
While I agree that the fandom has grown, that doesn't limit the possibility that a story can come and make a bit hit as long as it gets enough attention and publicity as to the fact that it is good.

I also wonder how true that comments holds, because the current pointing towards shorter works across the fandom began with the clumping of all stories rather than the inverse (the clumping resulted out of many smaller stories). In a way, the arrangement of EqD is causing what you are mentioning, but undoubtedly there are far more factors in line (FiMfiction rather terrible algorithm comes to mind).

I just want to point out I'm not blaming anyone and I think it would be madness to stop making the compilation posts, but recognizing what causes what is always a good idea in case someone wants to do something about it.

>>111303
>Errr... the only ones to suffer in this situation are the writers, which are the ones that provide content for your website.
And we have no intention of changing that. Our obligation is to the readers, not the writers. If we do help out a writer, it is an unintentional side-effect of providing good content to our readers. We currently have no shortage of authors submitting to Equestria Daily, so it's really not the end of the world if a handful decide to stop submitting.

We're not here to make you famous; we're here to entertain the people that visit the site.

>>111273
I'm pretty sure there are no female prereaders currently. We used to have some though.

>>111304
Which is why my second sentence exist: there are no alternatives. Which in turns means that most have to post on EqD or be ignored in short order (and even then). This leads to there being a multitude of stories having the updates made there. Which leads to being no space to host them all in a website not dedicated to it. Which leads to stories having less attention because of the way it is organized. Which leads to the current trends in fiction and the knell of the long stories as major attention getters for the fandom (because they aren't trying to be supported for attention).

Uninvisioned consequences and all that.

And all of this makes sense and is completely understandable because of what EqD is.

So, people who want something better for the writers and readers, I suggest you make your own website, and maybe even leave EqD to the wayside when it does happen.