I've been doing small writing off and on for a couple years now, just showing my things to a few friends here and there. I wanted to try and put something out into the public, but I have a few questions about Tapas.
In general, are amateur writers received...decently? Obviously criticism is bound to happen, but I suppose I'm worried about being blasted into infinity since I have no formal writing training.
I read the guidelines about mature content, and I was hoping if anyone might be able to clarify specifics for me as well. In say an action story, what level of violence would distinguish between all ages vs mature content? Would it simply come down to how graphically something is described? As a quick addition to this, does the mature content tag tend to block a lot of potential audience?
Lastly when it comes to book covers, is it possible to use something more as a placeholder and change it out later for something more proper? I have zero drawing skills, but I want to see how things go before say trying to commission artwork or something along those lines.
Thank you in advance for answers, and I'd gladly like to hear any other advice that experienced users would have for someone new to the site.