Story verification times

Quote by David_LeRoy
the site should treat that with the same direct responce one gets from other flagrant violations of the submission guidelines. Warning, suspension and ban

If we could prove it, that would be something I'd love to implement. But:

• AI tools can clone a writing style in seconds, even if the story isn't all that engaging.

• Authors can generate a boilerplate via AI and then edit it. At that point, how much is their work vs the machine's work, given they instructed the machine to write a story based on a premise the author dreamed up, and then put their own spin on it?

• We ask authors to use things like Grammarly to flag/correct obvious grammar snafus. But those tools now say: "hey, while I'm here, this sentence might sound better like this... want me to change it for you?" and bases its suggestion on content stolen/plagiarized from others. So even if the author wrote it from scratch, AI is assisting them to make it better... and we asked them to do it (sort of) to keep the site quality up.

With all the above shades of usage, it's difficult to prove one way or another how much input a machine has had, so we're stuck with it at present.

All we can do is encourage authors to use their brains to have a go at writing, keep their synapse plasticity ticking into old age, and enjoy the process of bringing something to life instead of taking a shortcut

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

If we could prove it, that would be something I'd love to implement. But:

• AI tools can clone a writing style in seconds, even if the story isn't all that engaging.

• Authors can generate a boilerplate via AI and then edit it. At that point, how much is their work vs the machine's work, given they instructed the machine to write a story based on a premise the author dreamed up, and then put their own spin on it?

• We ask authors to use things like Grammarly to flag/correct obvious grammar snafus. But those tools now say: "hey, while I'm here, this sentence might sound better like this... want me to change it for you?" and bases its suggestion on content stolen/plagiarized from others. So even if the author wrote it from scratch, AI is assisting them to make it better... and we asked them to do it (sort of) to keep the site quality up.

With all the above shades of usage, it's difficult to prove one way or another how much input a machine has had, so we're stuck with it at present.

All we can do is encourage authors to use their brains to have a go at writing, keep their synapse plasticity ticking into old age, and enjoy the process of bringing something to life instead of taking a shortcut

I use Grammarly myself for general editing due to my dyslexia so I see your point. I was more referring to stories that were basically fully generated, but my knowledge of those programs and how they work beyond reading the results from stories off site are all the experience I have on the subject.

Your response is appreciated

Yeah, my Uni is very anti-AI programs, even Grammarly sometimes, with how bad things are. It literally feels like an epidemic. One saving grace is the "document/version history" feature on Google Docs/Word. Pretty easy to spot AI if someone just randomly pastes a story into their document. So, if someone were to be asked to prove they wrote something, they would show their document history to help aid in that.

Also, the point above about how you can tell it's AI-written by the structure/flow/etc... is really true. Everyone has their own writing "signature." It's why when you read more than one book/story by an author, you'll find they have the same "sound." It's also the thing that makes great writers excellent - when they can make their sound change, say, if they're writing from multiple characters' perspectives and whatnot. (Goals, to be honest)

I view my writing as "okay-good," but I still make lots of mistakes. I utilize the free version of Grammarly to catch the basic things (tense/punctuation). But I just wanted to say, the mods who have reviewed and approved my stories have been amazing. The fact that they take the time to point out mistakes made is something I appreciate because I genuinely want to be a great writer one day. These mods are doing the work that my professors do without the benefits (salary/etc), and it's admirable. I'd love to be a mod one day (I think... maybe...) to continue the current vibe.

Also, I'm still so new to the site, so I didn't realize there were recommendations for people to avoid "back-to-back" submissions... which I've been guilty of. I'll try not to do that so much, haha. I just submit when I have a story done. So, oopsies!

I had an interesting, though not perhaps a positive thought.

Has the site encouted AI narration in Audio stories? And would that be at all acceptable if the story itself wasn't artificially generated?

It's not something I'd be interested in myself. I'm not one for audio in the first place but I imagine the issue will come up soon if has not already.

As I mentioned above, I've listened to a number of sci-fi stories on youtube that were both written and voiced by computer. It can work in that genre but as an erotic work? It's lack of emotion would seem to make that impossible to do effectively

Quote by David_LeRoy
Has the site encouted AI narration in Audio stories?

We have authors who routinely submit audiio narrated by a machine. It's about as sexy as asking your sat-nav to recite a shopping list, but each to their own I guess.

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

We have authors who routinely submit audiio narrated by a machine. It's about as sexy as asking your sat-nav to recite a shopping list, but each to their own I guess.

I love it!! I had a silly thought. I try to respond to everyone who takes the time to comment on my stories. Now if those “authors” who use AI were to use AI to respond?… I guess it's a possibility.

Quote by Shyexhibitionist

I love it!! I had a silly thought. I try to respond to everyone who takes the time to comment on my stories. Now if those “authors” who use AI were to use AI to respond?… I guess it's a possibility.

They aren’t really machines lol. And they’re actually typically very nice so it’s a real mind bender. Most of them could very likely write their own stories for real but they’re either too nervous or too lazy, I think.

Also, yall! I was worried this thread was blowing up bc people were mad about verifying times 😂

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

We have authors who routinely submit audiio narrated by a machine. It's about as sexy as asking your sat-nav to recite a shopping list, but each to their own I guess.

Really? And that's about how exciting I suspected it would be.

Siri, read ‘The Story of O’’

Yeah, no thanks

Quote by MicaMeesha
I effectively have to pay to get my stories published?

No. You can elect to pay if you are impatient or would like to take advantage of the other perks that membership affords (more messages, greater storage, access to member forums and chatrooms, etc).

We are reading, processing, discussing and offering advice to authors of the deluge of stories - several hundred a week - as fast as we can.

P.S. your story is also around 10,000 words and, from a casual skim read, could easily be half that with some judicial editing, without losing any of the plot points, and providing greater story momentum. A moderator has to set aside well over half an hour to read it, as will potential readers. Consult What story length do you prefer to read for some insight into the reader preferences here, as it may shape your future submissions.

Quote by MicaMeesha

Also add the fact that to improve my approval time seems to require me to buy a platinum membership. Really? I effectively have to pay to get my stories published?

As WW said you don’t HAVE to buy platinum. I have gold. It offers me endless messages , thats one of the reasons I bought it. Sites like Lush need funds to exist. Moderators are volunteers doing a thankless task. After submitting your story, use the waiting time to read some of the fantastic work. Read the interesting profiles of your fellow Lushies, make friends. Don’t keep checking the status of your tale. As an aside, I don’t read really long stories, a lot of people don’t .Be patient. Lush is a great place to be if you give it a chance 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Quote by MicaMeesha

currently ben waiting a week for a story to be approved. As a new author to the site this does not encourage me to want to publish here. Also add the fact that to improve my approval time seems to require me to buy a platinum membership. Really? I effectively have to pay to get my stories published?

I understand your frustration. But, no matter what site you post on, there will be a wait. I've posted on many and it's just the way it is because every site has to screen them before they can risk allowing them to be seen.

If I may give you a reason to stay, it's this.

The other sites I've been on lack the community we have here. Yes, you can post there but you likey won't get many comments and feed back for your effort. Our two largest competitors will offer more recorded views because we don't record the views of non-members, but their readership rarely if even leave any kind of comment letting you know they appreciate your work. And the truth is you are more likely to get trolled than any other response to your work.

Also, while both of those sites have a forum, they are not well connected to your profile page and this creates a disconnect between you as a writer and the posts you make.

Our membership is a community. That is and has always been a strength of Lush and why I've been here for so long. You will make friends here, friends whose work you will look forward to reading and who will also do the same for yours. No other site compares to our memberships community and believe me, I've looked.

So, please be patient. And yes, a Platinum or gold will help, after all, membership has its privileges.

In the meantime, make some friends. Engage in the forums or post pics on your profile. When you do, your friends will see them and it's a great way to make new ones. I hope you stick it out. You won't regret it

Couldn’t agree more. Ive made lots of interesting friends from across the globe. I have had masses of support and advice, mainly from patient, always encouraging moderators. I am sure I am notorious for my incorrect use of commas. They probably groan when they see a submission from me in the never ending queue. 🤣 I’ve NEVER had a bitchy, or unpleasant comment from anyone. That is precious !

I've only started submitting stories on LushStories kind of recently. And honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started putting my stories on here. Definitely wasn't expecting to receive any comments or feedback. I think I submitted a story, and then forgot that I did. And so you can imagine my surprise when I logged back in one day, and saw so many positive comments. Which was and is very much appreciated. But because of that, there was about a month between my stories.

I apologize to any of the mods or whoever I've interacted with, when I asked how long it generally took for stories to be published. Maybe I came across as a little too gung-ho, as well as impatient

Quote by Hughtheman

I've only started submitting stories on LushStories kind of recently. And honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started putting my stories on here. Definitely wasn't expecting to receive any comments or feedback.

Welcome to the wonderful writing world of Lush. Like you when my first story came out I was buzzing and thrilled with the response. That feeling has never left. I never take it for granted and try to respond to everyone. I too didn't fully appreciate the dedicated work the Mods do. I will make a point of looking for your story. May you continue to polish your skills .

Quote by MicaMeesha

currently ben waiting a week for a story to be approved. As a new author to the site this does not encourage me to want to publish here. Also add the fact that to improve my approval time seems to require me to buy a platinum membership. Really? I effectively have to pay to get my stories published?

No you don't need to pay to get your stories published, but this is a moderated site that has some standards, so it's gonna take a while—too long in my opinion. There are other sites that'll give you that instant gratification, with no mods that review your story. Yeah blowing money on a membership here, will expedite your approval times, if it's that important. But it's not a race, there's no real benefit to how fast a story goes live and the only folks who'll know exactly how long it took, but you and the mods. You just gotta be patient. Us peasants get our turn eventually.

My last approved story was in July 2024 and there are two later submissions that are flagged with "you already have submitted a story". Is there a way to see which story is causing the backlog?

Quote by rdodger
My last approved story was in July 2024 and there are two later submissions that are flagged with "you already have submitted a story". Is there a way to see which story is causing the backlog?

You submitted Missionaries today, so the system won't allow you to submit another until that one has been moderated.

Quote by wxt55uk

Thank you for taking the time to answer WW.

Not expecting an answer, just throwing this idea out there for thought...

Rather than the admin approaching and searching for new moderators, why not do the reverse?

Have keen LS members (not just authors) answer a well-worded LS forum advert. Doing it this way may unearth new talent. After all, you don't have to be a fantastic writer to be a good, well-balanced, thick-skinned moderator. 🙄😊

I agree with you. Being a decent writer doesn’t automatically make someone a good editor or story moderator. I actually hate the editing part. By the third read-through, my patience is gone and I don’t even notice the mistakes anymore, so I usually ask people for help. A good editor or moderator needs strong language skills and a solid backbone, the ability to not take things personally. People aren’t happy when their work gets rejected, and some of them aren’t exactly kind about it.

Chet, when he's waiting for a new story to get approved: Fer Chrissake, there hasn't been a new story published for hours; what's the holdup? Only 14 stories published yesterday? Sheesh!

Chet, when his story was published last night, North American West Coast time: Sweet, my story was at the top of the main page for 9 hours, and it's still on the main page because there have been only 14 stories published today! 😅

Quote by Chet_Morton

Chet, when he's waiting for a new story to get approved: Fer Chrissake, there hasn't been a new story published for hours; what's the holdup? Only 14 stories published yesterday? Sheesh!

Chet, when his story was published last night, North American West Coast time: Sweet, my story was at the top of the main page for 9 hours, and it's still on the main page because there have been only 14 stories published today! 😅

I believe you found what scientists would call "The LushStories Paradox" lol

On a similar note, there must be a ton of people submitting their stories lately. Plus the advent going on. I'm wondering if I made a "mistake" by submitting one of my own stories recently. Maybe I should've waited until the new year lol

Hey everyone, just a heads up. If you add a cover pic to an existing story, the site does not show the verifiers that no changes were made to the story itself, so we'd have to go over the entire story again as if it's new. As everyone knows, the story queue is insane, so we won't be prioritizing those. They'll get done buuuuuut.... it'll be a bit.

The system only allows for one of your submissions in the queue at a time, so do consider this before you pull an older story to add a cover picture. Thanks for all your patience! ❤️❤️

Quote by MissVixen

Why I always add a note to y'all that I just changed/added the cover image

Def appreciated and literally we have zero problem with it! We just wish it was easier to verify but it's not. :/

Quote by MissVixen

Why I always add a note to y'all that I just changed/added the cover image

to be clear, that's only for the story in the pipeline, not any drafts that are waiting, right?

Quote by Mandapanda2025

to be clear, that's only for the story in the pipeline, not any drafts that are waiting, right?

If you're submitting a full story, we moderate the cover at the same time. Katherine was highlighting how to help us if you are adding or changing a cover to an already published piece.

Things must be backed up more than ever, because I’ve had a story in the queue for two full weeks now, and it’s only for a new cover image. I sure hope I put in the moderator note that that’s the only change, which I always try to do.

I think, given the backup, I’m going to wait a couple of months before updating any more cover images. I only have five left to do anyway, so this is a good pause point.

Quote by joe71

Things must be backed up more than ever, because I’ve had a story in the queue for two full weeks now, and it’s only for a new cover image. I sure hope I put in the moderator note that that’s the only change, which I always try to do.

I think, given the backup, I’m going to wait a couple of months before updating any more cover images. I only have five left to do anyway, so this is a good pause point.

I don't see it in the queue, can you send me the title over PM?

WannabeWordsmith just took care of it, and explained it was due to some bug that sometimes assigns a story to whoever approved your last one; without putting it in the queue. Anyway, to be clear I wasn’t complaining or considering it a serious hardship, but I guess it’s good I said something because no one but me knew the story was “stuck.” Still gonna take a break for a few weeks from updating my covers, to give you all a break.

Quote by David_LeRoy

I understand your frustration. But, no matter what site you post on, there will be a wait. I've posted on many and it's just the way it is because every site has to screen them before they can risk allowing them to be seen.

If I may give you a reason to stay, it's this.

The other sites I've been on lack the community we have here. Yes, you can post there but you likey won't get many comments and feed back for your effort. Our two largest competitors will offer more recorded views because we don't record the views of non-members, but their readership rarely if even leave any kind of comment letting you know they appreciate your work. And the truth is you are more likely to get trolled than any other response to your work.

Also, while both of those sites have a forum, they are not well connected to your profile page and this creates a disconnect between you as a writer and the posts you make.

Our membership is a community. That is and has always been a strength of Lush and why I've been here for so long. You will make friends here, friends whose work you will look forward to reading and who will also do the same for yours. No other site compares to our memberships community and believe me, I've looked.

So, please be patient. And yes, a Platinum or gold will help, after all, membership has its privileges.

In the meantime, make some friends. Engage in the forums or post pics on your profile. When you do, your friends will see them and it's a great way to make new ones. I hope you stick it out. You won't regret it

Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. Since I ceased submitting stories here at the beginning of November 2025, I have had a 50,000 word novella published, and twelve 5,000 word stories to boot at the biggest erotic literature site going. There, I have 1026 personal followers who appreciate my work, and cannot wait for more. The submission wait is mostly two or three days, whereas here it is two weeks. Those twelve stories and novella, drafted in seven chapters, are pending here but would probably take many weeks to get published. I like this site but I'm writing 2,000 to 3,000 words a day due to my wild imagination, and seeing my work gather dust is painful.