Just a quick question: is it considered "unkosher" or against some custom/protocol to request the deletion of one or more of one's stories posted here, with a view towards possibly resubmitting them (likely with significant changes) in the future under, of course, the same nickname? Thanks in advance for any responses.
I wouldn't think so. I would suggest that, in the author's interests of keeping any scores, you might just replace the chapters - I did this with heaps of 'Off The Deep End' once I finished it and went back to fix up some inconsistencies that developed.
A number of authors rename the original as the 'alpha version' and just repost as a new story as well. Either way, if it were me, I would be waiting until I had the rewrite ready to post before deleting a story, make a blog post/end note explaining it, and then repost/schedule the posting.
in the author's interests of keeping any scores, you might just replace the chapters
But the author might not want to keep the original scores. The new version might be much better so why saddle it with the low scores the original version got.
I think you have to ask Lazeez to delete them.
But the author might not want to keep the original scores.
That seems to be the reason some authors delete then resubmit stories. Readers who didn't like the story won't read it again and give it another low vote, whereas fanbois will give it another 10. Result - the story's score improves whether or not the story has changed significantly. Just one way of gaming the system.
AJ
Just one way of gaming the system.
The author gaming the system?
I don't see it that way. If the new version has been changed enough, it's like a publisher publishing a new edition.
The author gaming the system?
Does that mean you don't believe authors game the system so their stories get better scores?
AJ
Does that mean you don't believe authors game the system so their stories get better scores?
I was referring to the specific situation. Rewriting (editing) a story to make it better and re-publishing the new version as a new edition. That's not gaming the system.
Rewriting (editing) a story to make it better and re-publishing the new version as a new edition.
That's true.
But I believe authors have deleted stories and resubmitted them again with minimal or no changes, and I have to question their motives.
AJ
But I believe authors have deleted stories and resubmitted them again with minimal or no changes, and I have to question their motives.
You may believe the author did the above, but do you have any proof to support your belief?
Furthermore, why is it your job to question their motives, especially when you have no proof as to why a particular author deleted and then resubmitted a story?
I don't know what the average story score is on SOL, but you seem to have a higher percentage of low scores than some authors. I think you would be better off using your time to improve and repost your low scoring stories than to use it to stick your nose into other authors business.
The OP used the qualifier 'likely'.
I'm not sure we know enough about the OP's motivation.
AJ
I am considering doing the same thing. The first story I posted here I made numerous errors. The most serious was somehow the story title was the name of what was at the time the first chapter.
https://storiesonline.net/s/20085/the-past-effects-the
However, my story is titled: A Sixth Generation Cowboy and a Third Generation Whore
Lazee helped me fix some things. However, while the Story Title is (kind of) fixed, the Story ID is not; worse what was the first chapter is now the second...
I was in assisted living soon after Covid-19 began. Due to edicts of the governor of Washington, some "safety measures" only sunset on 31 May 2023. So, due to lack of internet access I neglected my story. I have been re-writing my story. Once I complete that particular story, I will communicate with Lazeez, and see if the Story ID can be fixed. If not I will probably delete the original and post the new one.
Good luck with resolving your issues. I hope you will update this topic when you do whatever you decide.
I didn't see a problem with doing what you are thinking of doing.
I wrote Chocolateen Part 1 and then Ancient Abilities Part 1, and both were written as standalone stories. I then decided to merge the storylines and wrote Ancient Abilities Part 2 followed by Chocolateen Part 2. This created a problem as to the order in which the four parts should be read. I also found numerous grammatical errors that I wanted to fix.
I merged the four parts of the two related stories to create a single story (The Tasks). After deleting duplicated content in the two Part 2's, writing text to smooth the transition between parts, and correcting the remaining known errors, I added a few new scenes. Once I cleaned up The Tasks, I downloaded the entire story to SOL for posting. Once SOL started posting the new story, I asked Lazeez to remove the two earlier stories, and he did so.
Some say my actions will likely improve my scores, and AJ says what I did is gaming the system.
Personally, I consider my actions to be clearing up confusion as to the order in which the four parts should be read, and improving the story by correcting grammatical errors and adding scenes to clarify and improve the storyline.
As I have frequently said, I don't care about ratings. I write for different reasons. If the rating of The Tasks ends up higher than those assigned to the prior four parts, I like to think it is because the story is a better read than the original stories. AJ's opinion doesn't matter to me for I don't respect his opinions. If others consider improving one of your stories to be gaming the system then they deserve the same level of respect that I extend to AJ - none.
That's fine, but one suggestion. Leave the old version up until you are ready to re-post. I've seen cases where an author requests a story be taken down, claiming on their blog that it was so an edited/updated version can be posted, but then the updated version never shows up.
P.S. I just want to clarify, that my intent in deleting would be with a view towards doing extensive revisions, especially stylistically (i.e. upgrading the quality significantly). The stories I write (generally surreal and Sadean sans any kind of gore, physical torture, or other forms of graphic violence, etc) are the stories I'd like to read and they're a form of literary experimentation. So, in summary, the deletions and potential resubmissions would be with a view towards making them far more polished and not to "game the system." In any case, I appreciate all the responses, they were helpful.
Do your readers a favor and hold off on having the original deleted until you are ready to start posting the revised version.
Do your readers a favor and hold off on having the original deleted until you are ready to start posting the revised version.
I'm not sure I agree with that. It sounds like @Astronius is not happy with the way the story is today and that version may reflect poorly on him.
I've seen a number of cases where an author pulled a story saying it was to revise and post a new version, but then the new version never got posted.
I've seen a number of cases where an author pulled a story saying it was to revise and post a new version, but then the new version never got posted.
That's the author's prerogative. But if the old story might damage the author's reputation (as seen by the author), they should delete it. It may be the author is a much better writer and the old, poorly written version reflects badly on him (the case we're talking about). Or it may be the subject matter isn't what the author wants to be known for anymore. It could be any number of reasons.
P.S. I just want to clarify, that my intent in deleting would be with a view towards doing extensive revisions, especially stylistically (i.e. upgrading the quality significantly).
Thanks for the clarification. Good luck, and don't stop trying.
AJ
P.S. I just want to clarify, that my intent in deleting would be with a view towards doing extensive revisions, especially stylistically (i.e. upgrading the quality significantly)
Just be careful with that. Just because you think it's better, doesn't automatically make it so. I fell foul of that years ago when I re-submitted one of my first stories and the readership hated it and preferred the original. And I have noticed it with main-stream writers who have gone back to earlier work to improve it with their supposedly improved ability, correcting and removing the very things that made the novels a success in the first place ...
To me it is one thing to fix grammar issues, add missing words, fix punctuation, and perhaps fix the wording of a few sentences. It is quite another to alter the story. When the situation is as first mentioned, whether to post updates or to repost depends on how extensive the revisions are.
I've done both and botched one repost. In hindsight was that when I set about to edit the story, I became immersed in it, so I read through the errors. Thankfully a reader's comment has caused me to go back and do what I failed to do.
Cheers