Story verification times

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.