#reader feedback

[tealin]

Hello! First I just wanted to say WOW I can’t believe my favourite fan artist from what feels like AGES ago (Cabin Pressure!! Discworld!!) is now making a graphic novel of Worst Journey! It’s like going to high school with someone who’s now a worldwide rock star!!! Massive congratulations!!! And good timing too, for the last two years polar and especially Antarctic exploration has been my rabbit hole!

Second, I really do just love your art style! I’m so glad I’m seeing it again and you’ve gotten such recognition!!! Thank you for continuing to inspire me (and others I’m sure!) to keep practicing my art — and now, to keep researching!!

It's always a special day when someone who knew my work from way back happens upon what I'm doing now.

Although, I can guarantee you, I am anything but a worldwide rock star.

Keep drawing! (and researching!)

(If you don't know what anon is talking about, go to worstjourney.com or indeed @worstjourney on this very social media platform.)

[destinationtoast]

Hi Toasty! Forgive an older person for asking an overly simple question, but I've been struggling to look this up on your blog. Have you ever done any stats on chapter length/number and kudos/hits? I understand that adding another variable aside from ratings may make things too complicated, but I found myself wondering how that might relate to your previous results.

I haven't looked much at chapters rather than overall fanwork length, so I probably don't have exactly what you're after. But perhaps someone who reads my blog will have done relevant analyses looking at length/rating/popularity, and they can reply with links to their work!

(Also, no apologies needed at all; my fandom stats are not all that easy to search through when it comes to some topics -- even I have trouble sometimes. :) )

Here are my most relevant bits of data analysis & meta:

Do longer fanworks get more hits on AO3? - Back in 2013, I found that multi-chapter works got more hits on average than single-chapter works... but then I dug in further and found that actually, the underlying effect was that LONGER works got more hits than shorter works, regardless of whether they have one chapter or multiple chapters. (Because multi-chapter works tend to have a higher word count than single-chapter ones, they appear to get more hits on average. But once you control for word count, that difference goes away.) Caveats: I haven't checked this again since 2013. And I didn't break down "multi-chapter" by actual number of chapters.

Ratings on AO3: how do they relate to popularity and word count? - I was once again looking at this back in 2013. At the time, I found that the higher the rating, the more hits and kudos a work gets. However, this is partly because the more explicit the fanworks, the longer it tends to be -- and as we saw above, longer works get more hits on average. Once you compare works of equal length, there is a smaller correlation between ratings and kudos, and it mostly is driven by longer works (10K+ words). Although "Explicit" fanworks get substantially more hits/kudos on average than the other ratings, for every word count. Caveats: here I wasn't looking at number of chapters at all -- just word count. Also, like I said, not updated since 2013.

Also, just in case you meant "have you looked at the rate of kudos per hits" rather than "have you looked at either kudos or hits" -- I talk in How can you tell if a fanwork is popular on AO3? about many reasons why kudos/hits is an unreliable metric of popularity.

I also have a few other analyses looking at how hits and kudos relate to other things in my Popularity Metrics collection. One takeaway from this series is that both the fandom you're in and the platform you're posting fanworks to (e.g., AO3, FFNet, Wattpad) make a BIG difference to the average amount of reader response. Another takeaway is that the majority of fanworks don't get very much reader response (hits, kudos, comments) at all. That's not unique to AO3, though -- anywhere that people post a ton of content, there is likely to be a whole bunch of stuff that very few people have discovered yet. (There are some fandom challenges encouraging folks to seek out and leave feedback for such undiscovered fanworks, which I think is lovely.)

Hope some of this helps a bit -- and as I said, I hope others will chip in with related works!

[novankenn]

Tenuous Partnership - A Question

A question for those who are enjoying this story. I have an idea that I do want to explore, but I'm not sure if you my readers would find it reasonable to add to this particular story.

Basically it boils down to... do I mutate Jaune. Below are two images of Medusa(Gorgons), now Jaune will still remain male I'm just wondering if I should make him even more monstrous in appearance.

(Images sourced via Google. No rights assumed or claimed)

The FIRST picture is basically how Jaune is now. Human, but with snakes for hair, and some hidden traits.

The SECOND picture is what I'm thinking of having Jaune morph/mutate into. Basically his lower body fuses and becomes that of a large snake.

FEEL FREE to offer other ideas in the comments. Thank you for helping me out. I have one from @deserteddanny suggesting just giving Jaune a monstrous transformation.

[scottxlogan]

Friendly Reminder

If you happen to visit AO3 today and read a fic make sure before you leave you give the author a kudos. Trust me they will appreciate it!

Also if you are thinking about going to AO3 and have a favorite author give them a kudos as well to let them know you love what they do. It will make their day!

Plus, if you weren't thinking about AO3 but you might be looking for something fun to read, head on over and give an author a kudos! It will be the best gift you can give for their efforts (aside from a comment if you feel so inclined to do so!)!!!!

Thanks!

[worstjourney]

Just wanted to say I read volume 1 today and did not put it down until I finished reading it AND all of the annotations!!! Absolutely loved it!!!

Thank you anon! This is very kind of you!

If anyone is following who does not know what anon is talking about, may I direct you to worstjourney.com ...

[lightthewaybackhome]

"Psyche's job, everyone's job, was to do the hard things that needed doing, trusting that somehow it would be well. It would not be, the Song reminded her, an easy hope. It was not a lazy summer morning hope. It was the sharp cut of ice, the depths of snow, the frozen night sky. It did not mean - it had never meant - that anyone escaped suffering. It had never meant that Psyche could not lose everything she cherished. But it was hope nonetheless. A hope that promised all evil, no matter how twisted, could and would be straightened back to good."

-Stoneheart

Our book is live! This is a dream come true! Here is a book I wrote with my name on it! Thank you, @alana-k-asby making this story more beautiful and joining me on this journey!

[arrolyn1114]

Why Can't You See What You're Doin' To Me? Taglist Post

Just making myself a taglist post with everyone I've gathered up so far. Existing people: please let me know if I need to make any changes. Hopefully I haven't missed anyone so if I have please let me know. And if anyone who isn't on here yet sees this post and wishes to be added just let me know and it shall be done. Thanks y'all!

@thatbanditqueen, @be-my-ally, @ellie-24, @whositmcwhatsit, @vintageshanny, @from-memphis-with-love,

@xanatenshi, @karel-in-wonderland, @peskybedtime, @alienelvisobsession, @louisejoy86, @artlover8992, @windsofthesea, @gayforelvis, @notstefaniepresley, @lovininapinkcadillac, @dkayfixates, @jaqueline19997, @presleyenterprise, @crash-and-cure, @literally-just-elvis-fics, @wildhorseinkansas, @tacozebra051, @lookingforrainbows, @spooky-hazex, @powerofelvis, @ashtag6887, @myradiaz, @richardslady121, @elvisrealgf, @genetakovicluvr, @thetaoofzoe, @mydarlingelvis

@j-v-9-2

@mspoisonivey

@aaron57070

@rainyday10-4

@rocknroll50sep

@dream-in-x-dream2

@sasural

@satisfy-the-crave

@velvetelvis

@sillybookmarks

@everythingelvispresley

@elvisgirly

@1dluver13xx

@thedaisymaisy

@amydarcimarie

@p0lksaladannie, @oh-my-front-door, @fallinlovewithurlove, @shantellescrivener, @i-r-i-n-a-a, @stargirllily19, @laura23elvis, @meetmeatyourworst, @rachelljeann222, @precious-lil-scoundrel, @peaceloveelvis, @returntopresley, @tupelomiss, @archival-ep

@pinkcaddyconfessions, @gatheraheart, @rachel-snider19, @tina2345678, @annapresley8 @deniseinmn, @elvispresleywife, @elvispresleysslut, @lovemoonsstuff, @sfull12345

@rosarodrigues, @all-hookedup-on-elvis, @queenheartz

@little-laamb, @pixiedustcosmos, @indiatuck, @sabovanhalen, @obsessionisthecure, @hooked-on-elvis @aprilbluey @laurenoned

@epthedream69 @underthememphissun @presley72elvis @m-s30 @eapep @rjmartin11 @dreamingofep

@vaelzz @atrophyingaphrodite @lola-1013 @atleastpleasetelephone

@that-hotdog @slayingjd @i5uckersblog @alittlemoreelvis @where-are-you-everywhere

@cherrycolaride @ourjoyfulwhisperscollectorworld @fabrygeimsdin

[malecaptions]

Hey! I've been browsing your blog on and off all day and I think your captions are great.

I have to ask though: is this a kink? Or are you a closeted trans man? Or is this a parody? I genuinely can't tell. You also don't have to answer if you don't have one, of course. I'm just trying to figure out what draws you to this genre.

Regardless, I love the way your mind manages to take all these random images from pop culture and turn them into force masculinization scenes. Some are clever, some are funny, and they're all fun to me.

I hope you have a good day today!

This isn't the first time someone's wondered if this is a sexual thing. It isn't anything serious like that, these are just fun ideas that are neat for me to think about sometimes, but I don't want to judge people who have any of that going on themselves.

It feels very rewarding seeing that my captions are fun for other people online too. Thank you for writing to me!

[i-prefer-base-twelve]

hey so i read night in the woods and it was actually the best fic i’ve read in my life. how could you do this to me. and also thank you so much for putting that into the world.

Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[sotwk]

Hello! I have been following you for weeks and finally decided to write that i love your blog and fics(ocs especially Mirion,cuz i am also an eldest sibling and relate to him)

I just wanted to write that you are talented person and made me interested in Hobbit and Thranduil, so i decided to get a book just because of him.(i have already read Lotr so gotta go read it's prequel)

Your fanfics inspire me and i am staying motivated during my hardest moments because of your blog.(have serious exams that took a hard toll on me)

Please stay safe and i wish you the best!

Good luck💕 and keep up with your amazing work!!

There is so much kindness and high praise in this one Anon message that I was stunned.

I am so honored and thankful to have gotten this message from you, Anon! Please know that you have given me a massive boost of inspiration, motivation, and a side shot of dopamine.

You have blessed me with all the things that matter most to a fanfic writer:

Receiving love for our OCs--and when Readers mention a specific OC, and give specific reasons for liking them. (Mirion is my personal favorite too, so *squeal*!)

Getting others to become fans of our favorite blorbos (I hope you enjoy reading more about Thranduil and The Hobbit!)

Inspiring others (in whatever way, big or small).

Providing comfort or diversion for our Readers during trying times.

Being able to make our fellow fans happy or feel better.

Thanks to you Anon, I'm going to be even more motivated now to throw more love and time behind my SotWK AU, my Thranduilion OCs, and my Thranduil-centered works in general. (I'm prone to feeling discouraged about working on these, so your words gave me a much-needed recharge.)

I hope you know you are loved and appreciated, and are an amazing human being for choosing to spread kindness in this manner. I admire YOU!

[grounded-gryphon]

A reader just compared my writing to Ursula leGuin and I am SO stoked!

(Specifically said that Planting Life feels 'LeGuinian' to them.)

[destinationtoast]

Shared reader feedback squee

You know what I love almost as much as getting an amazing AO3 comment? Reading comments that others have gotten on their fanworks/creative works that have made them happy! So here's an experiment -- what if fan writers and artists and such start sharing more comments that we love? (Feel free to link to your work, too!)

I'll start with one I just got on Outgrow the shoes of expectations that is short, but so so sweet:

How I feel: ✨✨🥰🥰🥰✨✨

Please share yours too, if this seems fun!

[novankenn]

Question... What Folklore/Monster should I turn Jaune into Next?

So thinking back on my stories, I've made Jaune into quite a few different monsters here on Tumblr. So what type of creature should I play with next? (I really have fun doing these and trying to keep Jaune close to cannon (at least I hope I do)).

For Reference these are the ones I've already done...

Gorgon/Medusa - Tenuous Partnership

Sime(Girl) - Secretly Rare

Wendigo - Ravenous Familiae

Demon Possessed Serial Killer - Unnatural

Fae (Fairy) - Things Best Left... Alone

Generic Malevolent Entity - Sweet Dreams

Zombie (sort of) - Corpse Queen

Machine Doll/Golem - Unbreakable Machine Arcs

Genie (sort of) - One & 1/2 Heroes

Mime - Power of the... Mime!!!

Angel - Coco's Search for a WAIFU or The Purgatory of Jaune

DeathKnight - All we have... is now..

I wish to avoid the more popular ones like Werewolf, and Vampire, as other authors have done excellent versions of that Jaune.

So I have collected a few monsters/spirits that I think could be fun to play with. But feel free to add others in the comments if you wish. Yes I know most of these are "traditionally female"... but I'm more interested in the abilities/motivations than the appearance.

As always feel free to add to this through the comments sections. This is to give me an idea what types of "creatures" you would like to see. Multiple pulls from this list are going to happen.

(A/N - Can't believe I forgot to include my most recent Monster!Jaune story in the examples list. Duh!)

[fixomnia-scribble]

On Ao3 Hits

Like other animals, human writers have a variety of motivations. Food, pets, et cetera. If you are a human writer who is motivated by hit:kudos ratios, this is your reminder that:

ONE HIT ≠ ONE READER

Ao3 calculates a single hit as "any number of page or chapter views from a single IP within a single day".

If someone refreshes a page, or switches devices, that will add another hit.

If someone comes back after that day, that'll be another hit.

There may be other fine-tunings, like cookie dumps etc, but I haven't confirmed those. Feel free to elaborate in notes.

So, if you are feeling bummed by the ratio, in this era of much reduced feedback, remember a rise in hits with no kudos can mean a bunch of people coming back to re-read who have already left kudos, or have switched devices. Which can account for a lot.

[minefield-of-a-ninja]

i love your supernatural fics!! Could you recommend some of your fav spicy spn fic authors?

My favorites because they aren't run-of-the-mill spicy; they are also emotionally engaging and rewarding, sexy, swoony, and relatable. I love these writers:

@stusbunker @there-must-be-a-lock @littlegreenplasticsoldier @acklest @hunenka @winchestersinthedrift @lastactiontricia @itmighthavebeenintentional @rockhoochie @mrswhozeewhatsis