Novels and "Likes"

[Ordinaryaverageguy]

I'm wondering if novels or short stories here are at a disadvantage for receiving "Likes" (or comments). If not so, then I'm thinking I've not been "getting the message" and I should reassess my writing efforts. Perhaps my themes, my style, or both leave something lacking. (And, no, this isn't meant to be a roundabout way of asking for people to go read them.)

[drbwp4]

Novels used to do well on Tapas as long as you posted frequently. But it's harder to even get your novel seen these days. One of the ways people advertise their novel is here on the forums. So don't be afraid to share it here as long as that's what the topic is asking for.

[Ordinaryaverageguy]

Do I want to promote the stories if they're not good? I do see that sometimes my novels get enough clicks* in a day or two to suggest someone really is reading. Lots of episodes have been seen, but no feedback. I know that in at least one story, I was pretty clear about asking for comments. I'm afraid that the silence is, in itself, a message I wish not to hear.

• I hesitate to call them Reads since we don't know if the text was read or just glanced at.

[drbwp4]

Failure is a part of growth. I don't know if your book is good or not, but never be afraid to fail. If you don't put yourself out there then you will never succeed. I've reposted my book three times and it's still not the best that it can be, but the most important thing is trying. (Although I wouldn't recommend reposting your book three times. At the most make it two lol.)

[LadyLily]

Two important things you should know:

1. Tapas no longer promotes or supports novelists.
2. Most of the views/reads you get are from people without accounts here, if you're promoting off-site.

So let's start with #1.

There was a time when the front page of Tapas had a large Novels section. Within it were the Rankings menus. At that time, novels were being promoted in the notifications section and the rankings were a fun way for writers to promote their novels and spread the word of their success.

When Tapas decided novelists weren't as important as comic creators, they revamped their entire front page, doing away with the novel section, rankings, and promotions of novels.

Now, #2.

I have thousands of reads across my novels but very few "likes" and subs. I promote my novels on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and offline via postcards and mailers. My "reads/views" are reflective of non-members reading my novels. Most people don't want to sign up for something if they don't have to. Since I am a free-to-read author, they don't have to sign up for Tapas. I receive feedback elsewhere, not here, since they cannot comment here.

I wish Tapas would allow non-members to at least click the "like" button. It's fine if they don't let non-members comment (it's better that way because of trolls), but there is no harm in letting non-members "like." Since Tapas refuses to promote and help us, we have to do it ourselves, and this means sharing that "like" count as part of our marketing.

Tapas really is the worst place for novelists to promote their work, but the platform is the best I've seen so far. It's easy to use and Tapas does have a strict policy on harassment and bullying. Other sites I've tried allow anyone to say anything, even outright hate and personal attacks. Other sites don't allow graphics within novels like this one, either, and I love that kind of stuff. It draws attention to stories and chapters.

Honestly the biggest two drawbacks for me as an author on Tapas for a few years are my top 2 points.

Here are some examples of what Tapas used to do for writers, and an example of my view - to - sub ratios (old graphic):

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[Ordinaryaverageguy]

Wow, there's a lot in your post that I wasn't aware of. Thank you. Funny, though, in a sad way, how Tapas is both terrible & the best place for novels. I don't promote much here & not at all elsewhere (save for old & rare mentions at Insta & TwitterX). Numbers don't concern me as much as having no feedback from the clicks/views that I do get.

[JoshRaed]

I personally consider a new tapas webnovel a way bigger commitment than a webcomic. But that's just how I feel.