Since Tumblr has I guess rolled out their completely ineffective solution to replies going away, I doubt I’m the only fic writer who is very reasonably angry about this.
Replies were a great way for fic writers to hear from their readers. It was little pressure on behalf of the reader, and so immensely appreciated on behalf of the writers. Even if it was just a brief “omg this was so sweet!” or “fuck u for making me cry real tears”, it meant the world.
Messaging someone privately, even IMing them, is scary. I know there are fic writers who I almost look at as celebrities, like “oh god they’re so good and their story has so many notes and kudos and follows they have no time for a peasant like me”, and while that’s not really the reality (and especially not in the ME fandom since it’s really chill), it’s still really daunting to approach someone that personally to talk about it. Replies offered a nice middle ground, where if you didn’t want to share something on your blog, you could still let the writer know how good their work was. But now… nope.
So where does this leave fic writers?
With little to no feedback.
One of the biggest issues regarding fandom artists is the blatant lack of love for fic writers. It’s rare that their fics get reblogged, because it’s not physical art that looks pretty on your blog. Sometimes its big walls of texts and slipped under a read more. Sure, it doesn’t look pretty like sexy fanart does, but that reblog means exposure. It means new readers. It’s more people who can see your fics. And writers are highly, highly discouraged from ever asking for commissions the way an more traditional artist would. So we do this for free. Fic writers give often times novel length works of art that are so spectacular and full of talent and feelings, for completely free.
Sharing your work online is hard. It takes serious guts to put something you’ve worked on online and have people read it. And as much as people tell artists “do it for you!!!1!”, the reality is that it’s more than that. If a writer who has never posted a fic before posts something and gets zero notes on it, do you think they’re going to feel really inclined to share anymore? Probably not. Most writers thrive off of feedback and seeing the appreciation from their writers. If you don’t let them know how grateful you are, or how much you love their work, then they might very well go away.
Do yourself a favor and imagine a fandom without fic writers. It would be a sad, sad place.
So please, do your absolute best to show your fic writers you love them. They’re pouring their heart and soul and anxiety into projects, beating themselves up about it, not for a single penny. The closest fic writers will often get to a paycheck is hearing someone tell them they love their work. And it means the world.
Reblog their work, put your love in the tags, message them individually about it, leave reviews on FF.net or AO3, let them know.
You truly have no idea the impact it will have on their day, week, or even month.
Fuck, this is so true.
also its even harder to get exposure now with the shitty new tumblr #tag update, so please show fic writers love anyway that you can!
This is so incredibly true! I didn’t realize til I switched fandoms how hard it is to get fics read/seen when you aren’t already well known in a fandom. It can be so disheartening to write and not get much/any comments or feedback.
I’m just as guilty as the next reader. So I’ve decided to take the time out to message all the authors I love and let them know- no matter how scary that may be. And I’m actively leaving comments now on AO3 whenever I read a fic there. Reblogging fic recs takes 2 seconds and another 5 to write a quick OMG ADORABLE in the tags. It might not look pretty like art does, but I know it means the world to authors cause it means the world to me.
Project Feedback anybody?
Published
Slutty Yorick 