Comments on: inside authonomy

By: richard whittle

richard whittle — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:19:26 +0000

Authonomy? Been there, done that…
http://playpitspark.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/stephen-king-is-right/

By: Helene

Helene — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:00:14 +0000

I am new to the authonomy world and have quickly caught on to the “popularity” issue. Personally, I just like the fact that others get to read my story and give me their opinion. I can take the advice or not. It gives me some instant feedback that I can consider when reviewing and editing my story.

I also enjoy reading the work of others and giving them my opinion. The only problem I see is “personal taste.” I try to be very objective when I promise to critique someone’s work (whether it is the genre I am interested in or not). Not everyone has the same “taste” and will judge as such. I have written a YA Sci-Fi/Romance novel and will consider the criticism of those who actually “enjoy” reading these genres. Don’t get me wrong, I do consider the opinions of others, but I don’t get all bent out of shape is someone gives me a horrible review and then tells me that YA, sci-fi, or even romance is not what they enjoy reading. Their personal opinion doesn’t matter to me.

On another note…if I get published on authonomy someday, then “Yay!” However, I am not counting it. If it happens…it happens. I am just on the site for some constructive criticism, good reading, and new friends that happen to share the same interest…reading & writing!

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:46:37 +0000

The ranking system leaves me cold, and not just because I’m uninterested in a publisher’s contract. This sort of site raises people’s hopes with little chance of fulfilment, hence ethical issues are involved. Just whom is it designed to serve? And then there is the problem of quality: most of the readers have fairly conventional, fairly bland expectations. I doubt that a Nabokov is likely to be ‘discovered’ in this way – and yes, that would be my benchmark.

By: Devaki Khanna

Devaki Khanna — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:53:03 +0000

Authonomy sounds like an interesting site–have sent the link to your post to some writer friends.

By: 5th Estate · Writing and You: Let’s Make This Personal

5th Estate · Writing and You: Let’s Make This Personal — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:14:12 +0000

[...] tribe who really knows his stuff, James Long, has some generous, encouraging things to say over at The Digitalist and even wonders …. is Authonomy relevant to his Big Question of what brings people to a [...]

By: James Long

James Long — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:36:18 +0000

Hi Leah – I know what you mean about the ranking thing… some heavy commenting/rating sites suffer from certain users dominating, or the wrong behaviours being rewarded… it’s a danger for Authonomy too, but I’m sure they’re thinking about how to manage that sort of thing. And I think you’re right to focus on developing the right skills to get closer to publication – sounds like the site has already had the desired effect for you (i.e. be noticed).

By: Leah Davidson

Leah Davidson — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:46:55 +0000

I’m one of those not-quite-writers with material uploaded on Authonomy. I’ve been even less active than you, James.

The introduction of the ranking system didn’t give me an adrenalin rush. I’m too busy writing to worry about ranking.

The top books, those I’ve looked at, seem quite good, from what I’ve seen. But I notice they’re the books of those who are most active on the site, commenting on the works of others and participating in the fora. How much of this is a function of the popularity of the writer, rather than the popularity (let alone quality) of the book is difficult to judge.

I got my adrenalin rush from an editor (not from HC) who’s browsing the site, who said if my book came to his office, he’d read it. He called it “strong stuff.” Yay, for me! I’m on the right track.

Now to finish the thing, and learn how to write a query letter.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:59:46 +0000

Hi James – many thanks for your comments – I’m glad you’re enjoying authonomy. Must say I spotted you on there very early indeed! We’re were a little nervous about the big changes we’ve made in the last few days, but we’re very pleased with how well it’s been received…

We’re still in private beta for the time being, but we’ll be going live very soon indeed so that everyone can take a peek inside…