I wrote and submitted my first review today. The webmaster replied sating this:
You don't have reviewer privileges ... We have limited number of reviewer slots.
I do not want to take a slot if that may prevent someone else from volunteering.
Would someone please review this story? It's only 12KB, the codes are FA/ft and consensual, and I think its score does not reflect its quality.
Please mail a message if you are an approved reviewer and possibly willing to review this story.
it may help them if you named the story and gave a link to it as many will not do a PM.
My intention was to avoid being seen as promoting one story. I don't think it's proper for authors to ask for reviews of their stories. That is NOT what is going on here.
My hope is that if an approved reviewer contacts me privately, I'll show them what I have done to submit a review myself, why that didn't pan out, and then provide them with all relevant details - WITH NO OBLIGATIONS ON THEM.
My intention was to avoid being seen as promoting one story. I don't think it's proper for authors to ask for reviews of their stories. That is NOT what is going on here.
No, but you've also raised the curiosity of people who like you aren't reviewers. I typically avoid short stories, and the material is outside of what I normally look for here, but you've raised my curiosity.
but you've raised my curiosity.
Apparently, but there's no harm done if I don't name the story publicly.
I think the integrity of the review system depends on reviewers making choices of what they review. I don't think I'm subverting that by saying: I think I have one that's worthy, this is the length and the codes, but I will only tell approved reviewers the name and if they ask me.
I ran into a road block when I tried so I'm trying to find a way around it. That's all.
After having seen pleas on this forum for more reviewers, I had been contemplating the possibility.
Your notes seem to indicate nobody new should bother because it's a closed society.
nobody new should bother because it's a closed society.
NO!
I was asked whether I would be submitting MORE reviews. My answer was "probably not".
I do not know what restriction exists on 'slots', but I was not going to use one for a one-and-only review.
If you are interested I am sure you would be welcomed.
After having seen pleas on this forum for more reviewers, I had been contemplating the possibility.
Your notes seem to indicate nobody new should bother because it's a closed society.
It would be grossly unfair to presume that our webmaster would allow, much less encourage, a closed society to operate within this community.
Granted there exists both 'basic' and premier memberships, but that is partly because premier membership is a revenue source that ensures the site continues. I say partly because it isn't necessary to pay for premier membership, one can earn access by contributing a sufficient number of stories.
I have no idea what criteria are used to approve reviewers, I do know for certain two things, firstly that one must apply rather than be invited, secondly that it isn't a closed society.
I have no idea what criteria are used to approve reviewers,
The urge to review and a pulse :o) Similar to the criteria that apply to writers.
https://storiesonline.net/s/58363/joerg-isebrand
Since I cannot review, I'll comment here that the linked story was very good. A few spelling errors but nothing that detracted from the telling significantly
If it's by Argon, it's bound to be very good although the subject matter isn't my cup of tea. But this raises again the issue of how readers can bring deserving stories to the attention of reviewers.
AJ
But this raises again the issue of how readers can bring deserving stories to the attention of reviewers.
Dare I say it, without getting monstered for "promoting" another author? :-)
I do not want to take a slot if that may prevent someone else from volunteering.
Supposedly most reviewers never post more than one review. If you were to commit to posting at least two, that would place you well above average. What more justification do you need?
AJ
Why don't you simply put it on your author's favourites list?
Nobody would ever look there. I have one story posted with less than 3,000 downloads.
My "problem" has been solved.
An approved reviewer has said they'll post a review of one of this author's stories. That's all I really wanted.
Ever had one of those days when you couldn't see a can of worms without reaching for a can opener...?
So, how to get your story reviewed...?
Option one is simple, sit back and await the fickle finger of fate to direct a reviewer to your story and feel compelled to review it.
Option two is a little more proactive. First go to the review section, then from the list of reviewers look at the stories they reviewed, or vice versa check the story list then see who reviewed it. In either case you are looking for a reviewer who has in the past reviewed a story similar to yours in subject and especially in codes. Then check they have posted a review in the recent past. Clicking on their name will allow you to send them a private message. A simple request with a link to your story might get you reviewed, it might not, but it costs nothing...
Or course the same thing could be done by a reader who wants to raise the profile of their current favourite story/author.
If every reviewer now hates me for adding to their in box, well, they should have confiscated my can opener..!!
Reviewers are supposed to review stories they like, or at least recommend to other readers. Depending on the story, the reviewer can read it and decide if it is something he or she wants to review. Depending on how popular requesting reviews may become, reviewers like all readers here can't read and then review dozens or hundreds of stories in a relatively short period of time. Or at least may have other priorities. Still it might be a good idea if done relatively infrequently. The other problem is it is a waste of reviewer time and reader time to have a lot of reviewers review the same story the same day or week. I recommend if you decide to request a review that you only approach one reviewer per story and engage them in an email discussion whether they will do so before approaching another reviewer.
Reviewers are supposed to review stories they like, or at least recommend to other readers. Depending on the story, the reviewer can read it and decide if it is something he or she wants to review.
As a reviewer, I have to disagree with this. I've reviewed stories that I like (the majority); I've also reviewed stories that I didn't.
Reasons can also shift. Nowadays I choose stories that I see as rated incorrectly, i.e. a bad story rated high or a good story rated low. I'll admit the latter ones are more pleasant to review. And easier to get through Lazeez who tends to squash negative reviews.
Generally a reviewer will share something in their profile as to why they're doing it. From what I've seen, every reviewer has their own criteria for getting involved.
Generally a reviewer will share something in their profile as to why they're doing it. From what I've seen, every reviewer has their own criteria for getting involved.
Exactly right..!!
I've reviewed stories that I like (the majority); I've also reviewed stories that I didn't.
To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, "You keep using that word "negative". I do not think it means what you think it means."
Sure, I've reviewed stories that has some issues and I mention them, but if I plain 'ol didn't like the story I would not, should not and have actually been instructed not to review it. That's not such a difficult thing to do, now is it???
Well, I know what I mean by negative, i.e. the opposite of positive. To me, a negative review is one where you don't like some aspect of the story. For whatever reason; that's in the purview of the reviewer. So what we're actually doing is a critique. Merriam-Webster says they're synonymous. And I myself have not been instructed that negative reviews are precluded.
If all that is wanted is positive reviews, you don't have a "review" any more; you have an advertisement.
Reviewers are supposed to review stories they like, or at least recommend to other readers.
And that rule appears where, exactly...??
As far as I am aware, a reviewer can submit as many, or as few reviews as they wish, as often or as infrequent as they like, and as kind of as cruel to the author and story as they feel appropriate. In other words there are no rules..!!
Granted Lazeez may not accept a review for whatever reason. But it's his site and his rules, something which it's hard to find fault with given the balanced and fair attitude he shows, constantly.
PS
Exactly how Lazeez burns off the stress sufficiently to maintain the constantly polite and benign attitude he displays is apparently a state secret and therefore kept in a highly secure place.
Actually inside a used maple syrup jar locked inside a child's power rangers sandwich box, well secured with elastic bands is locked right..?? The thing is buried inside a large volume in the logic section of Quebec University Library and therefore will remain untouched...
Edited Top Add...... eh..!!
"Review Guidelines
Reviews on the site are means of encouraging readers to read the stories, and to help authors get better at what they do. So if a review is meant to simply drive the author away from writing then it won't be published on the site. So if you don't like the story and can't finish reading it because it is horribly bad in your opinion, then simply don't review it. Better send a private email message to the author.
That does not mean you cannot criticise the story, but make it constructive criticism, not destructive one.
Don't review stories that are on your list of squicks, what's the point? If you hate the story going into it then the review will be bad of course.
Reviews that are all negative will be rejected.
Numeric Ratings are:
Story Plot:
How good is the story's plot is.
Story Quality:
Grammar, spelling, properly constructed sentences and such things are judged here. If a story is well polished and well written this rating should be high. On the other hand if the story contains spelling, grammatical errors and stuff like that the quality rating should be lower.
Appeal to Reviewer:
This is purely personal. How much did you personally like the story."
This is the site's guidance to reviewers.
A couple of points regarding your post:
1. Negative reviews aren't precluded; destructive ones are. There is a big difference between the two.
2. Reviewing a story containing your personal squicks is dumb, as the guidelines note. However, there is a large gap between hating a story and recognizing a poorly written story. Again, pointing out a story's flaws isn't precluded as long as one doesn't go overboard, i.e. destructive and/or trashing it.
At least that's how I interpret the guidelines. I'm sure Lazeez will let me know if I go overboard. And I'm sure other reviewers will be similarly advised.