Best ways to get comments on your novels?

[hannahlaine]

I just started publishing my novels on Tapas. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to get comments on my chapters? I love getting feedback. Even if it is negative. It helps me adjust my writing.

What seems to work best for you guys?

Lady Death | Tapas

[Okaishy]

I've been here for a year and I still haven't figured that out

[Okaishy]

How about we both review each other's first chapter?

Different | Tapas

[hannahlaine]

Just finished reading your first chapter actually haha. Was going to suggest the same thing.

[Okaishy]

I'm glad your novel is good, I'd feel bad saying we can review each other's stuff and not really like it in the end

I'll read more later when I have the time ^_^

[Iris-Grimoire]

Ask questions! Be it about a scene's impacts or about a character, readers can be shy and think that a 'it's really good I like it!' is just bothering the author - so give them something as a starting point!

[burginlewis]

I've been reading along. I'll post a comment after the next chapter.

Usually when I read someone's work I save comments for things that really jumped out at me, whether positive or negative.

[KRWright]

Write something funny underneath or write something personal or ask a question. That’s how I’ve got comments before.

[nostalgicroxas]

I honestly don't know. After almost a year of posting on this site, the only real comment I've gotten was when one of my readers responded to my question about frequency and length of updates Which I do appreciate.... I'm currently updating this month with an adjusted shorter word count per update as a test to see what happens, and I'm not asking for feedback until the end of the month... So who knows if that same person, or someone new, will respond to my questions about it. And people who start reading at the end of Oct won't even notice I don't think.
Comments seem to be for pretty much everyone like catching a unicorn, amazing when it happens, super hard to predict.

[hannahlaine]

Comments seem to be for pretty much everyone like catching a unicorn, amazing when it happens, super hard to predict.

I love that analogy!

[burginlewis]

@KRWilliams I think that would be a good strategy.

[Maps]

I agree with this. If you put a little note at the end of each chapter, it feels more like your opening the door for discussion or responses. It also makes you feel more real and people may be less afraid to comment or respond if you seem friendly or chatty.

Though, I agree with the comment above, I’ve been here a year and hardly see comments. I do have a few on some of my more “revealing” chapters and I have someone who seems to comment on all updates. It does make me happy!

[burginlewis]

I'm also under the impression that introverts read more than extroverts do. That may be part of the "problem" with comments. We don't have a bunch of Chatty Cathys reading our books/comics.