When we implemented the RR program, it was meant to be a perk for the mods, much as Empress Burq's experience. It's not meant to be an award. How it works. If a mod reads a story that they thought should be given a little extra exposure, they hit the RR button. That means different things to different mods. In MY case, I am very stingy with them. that's my choice. I rarely give them to established authors, unless those writers write something outstanding above their outstanding work. I tend to focus on either new writers who come in and knock my socks off or writers who have been with us for a while, not gotten the exposure, and really up their game with their story. I have, once or twice, also given them to writers who might not have an award winning story, but it's obvious that they poured their heart out and improved vastly from when they started. it's my way of encouraging them. that means that the story might not be amazing, but it's headed in the right direction - it doesn't hurt anyone, and i'm always happy to take ownership over my choice.
why don't we post who gave what? Posts like this. Blogs like the OPs "fuck you, Lush, fuck you, mods." My crew does hard work. Is it thankless? No. I make sure they know they are appreciated as does Nicola. A lot of the members let them know, too. That said, a lot of members tread them like dirt, too. One nasty reply to a rejection tends to wipe out the previous 10 thank yous when you're working as hard at vetting stories as they do. A few of you might have noticed I've been MIA for a bit. Frankly, I've needed the time away from this place. For those of you who don't know me, I've been doing this for close to 6 years now, long enough that I will often refer to the mod team as mine, a conceit that Nicola never discourages. To put it simply, I needed a break, not from Lush, but from the members that I serve, and that's how I look at it - I serve you. I publish your stories, and when I can't, I tell you what you need to do to get them published. I don't do this out of a sense of power - I do it because I want the site to be able to publish great stories and I want YOU to be able to put out erotica that you can be proud of. I think that I have managed that. If not, yes, I am open to constructive criticism. My PM box is very easy to find. I am not, however, fond of taking public shots or long winded bitching sessions - they take away my focus from what is important - getting YOUR stories on the front page.
So yeah. At some point, you do get defensive, when you feel like people are taking shots at your hard work. It's only natural, hence the reason mods tend to come into these threads with strong opinions. That's why I'm taking time off to post this. The RR program isn't going to change. If someone seems to get out of hand with handouts to friends, at some point there will be a gentle reminder. Some great stories will be missed. Sometimes I'll find something written a year back that wows me and It will be tagged. Sometimes authors will think they deserve one and it will take forever to get it - a little note on that - when we implemented the EP program, I was passed by constantly until it became kind of humorous seeing as, in all humbleness, I'm one of the strongest writers here. Eventually, Nicola just sort of dropped one on one of mine out of pure fair play. I never made a stink about it, I just had faith that my work would shine through at some point and kept trying to improve and earn that pretty little digital gold medal.
That's how you're going to have to deal with the RRs. If you deserve one, you'll get one. It might not be when you want it, or for the story you want, but eventually, someone's going to say, damn, that guy can write, and this story just really knocked me out. BAM. RR.
Be patient. Don't worry about the "accolades". The award for writing should be simply finishing a story that you can take pride in and building your status as a writer with reads and votes and comments. That, at least, is how I see it - this is an amateur site and as such, more awards don't equal more sales and more money in your pocket, just a warm glow. Focus on the warm glow that you get when you see your story on the front page for the first time.
peace out
rach
