ThatStrangeFamiliar
Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2024
- Messages
- 18
- Points
- 13
If your anything like me and spend entirely too much time and finger stamina refreshing your page to see number get bigger, you will understand my excitement at watching my views go from four numbers to five.
I wanted to share a couple observations I have made since I began publishing on SH after half a year on Royal Road. Everything I say is anecdotal and completely based on my very limited world view.
1. This is a much better place for non-litRPG/isekai stories. With a few outliers at the top, most stories that receive attention on royal road are one or both of the previously listed subgenres. I cast no shade, I devour stat blocks with the same hunger that a lot of you do, but it can be disheartening for those of us that don't write those kinds of stories. They are also popular on SH, but more traditional stories feel like they are given more appreciation here.
2. Readers are much more willing to engage. There are countless reasons why I may have experienced this. I could sit here and list out the theories I have, but in an effort to remain brief and and acknowledgment that I am quite dumb in the ways of the internet, I won't. My comment ratio between the two sites are nearly 10 to 1 with SH being the clear victor. The reading list gives a much more accurate picture at my reader base than the follow/favorite system on RR. The favorites stat has been gratifying since the first one I received. All of this combats the soul crushing, top heavy, black hole that RR can be for new authors.
3. Organic reviews are a myth. . .until they aren't. I believe this is a matter of scale more than anything. With so many other ways for readers to interact with a story and leaving a review requiring much more effort than other methods, the percentage of people that will review is quite small. A larger number of readers/views/favorites/ratings won't increase the percentage, but it will increase the sample size. Basically, big numbers = more readers, more readers = more potential reviewers. (I will update this section when I receive my first to see if my logic is correct.
4. Reaching the trending list requires a blood sacrifice or some other form of dark ritual. I don't have much to say here. The method seems to be mostly a mystery, but I do not see that as a negative. Don't worry about the list. There is no forced networking or timelines for what you have to do to keep your story from getting lost in the swill. Write, proofread, release. Repeat those three steps with a story you are passionate about and the readers will come.
That's it.
I owe all of you reading this and everyone that has read my story a big fat thank you. I wish you all well and hope the words come easy to you next time you sit down to write.
End of speech.
(Obligatory self-shill.)
I wanted to share a couple observations I have made since I began publishing on SH after half a year on Royal Road. Everything I say is anecdotal and completely based on my very limited world view.
1. This is a much better place for non-litRPG/isekai stories. With a few outliers at the top, most stories that receive attention on royal road are one or both of the previously listed subgenres. I cast no shade, I devour stat blocks with the same hunger that a lot of you do, but it can be disheartening for those of us that don't write those kinds of stories. They are also popular on SH, but more traditional stories feel like they are given more appreciation here.
2. Readers are much more willing to engage. There are countless reasons why I may have experienced this. I could sit here and list out the theories I have, but in an effort to remain brief and and acknowledgment that I am quite dumb in the ways of the internet, I won't. My comment ratio between the two sites are nearly 10 to 1 with SH being the clear victor. The reading list gives a much more accurate picture at my reader base than the follow/favorite system on RR. The favorites stat has been gratifying since the first one I received. All of this combats the soul crushing, top heavy, black hole that RR can be for new authors.
3. Organic reviews are a myth. . .until they aren't. I believe this is a matter of scale more than anything. With so many other ways for readers to interact with a story and leaving a review requiring much more effort than other methods, the percentage of people that will review is quite small. A larger number of readers/views/favorites/ratings won't increase the percentage, but it will increase the sample size. Basically, big numbers = more readers, more readers = more potential reviewers. (I will update this section when I receive my first to see if my logic is correct.
4. Reaching the trending list requires a blood sacrifice or some other form of dark ritual. I don't have much to say here. The method seems to be mostly a mystery, but I do not see that as a negative. Don't worry about the list. There is no forced networking or timelines for what you have to do to keep your story from getting lost in the swill. Write, proofread, release. Repeat those three steps with a story you are passionate about and the readers will come.
That's it.
I owe all of you reading this and everyone that has read my story a big fat thank you. I wish you all well and hope the words come easy to you next time you sit down to write.
End of speech.
(Obligatory self-shill.)
I love you and the fact you are down to earth. 
