The Talebones Comment Ethos
One of the amazing things about Substack is that every writer can figure out a philosophy that works for them at pretty much every level of the writing/publishing process. This diversity and variety is one of my favorite things about the platform!
Engagement and comments are always hot-button issues, and so as our numbers here on Talebones grow, I want to be crystal-clear about my motives, outlook, and philosophy about them so that there’s no confusion in our little-but-mighty community.
So, let’s get started. First, a quick definition of what I’m doing, here.
Talebones is, for me, primarily a publishing platform, as opposed to a feedback-gathering platform. It is a place where I post completed (albeit certainly imperfect) stories. When you see a post from me, my hope is that you can expect that it has hit a certain editorial standard and that you can read it and enjoy it without (ideally) feeling the need to close-read for critique or feedback.
That said, if you DO have thoughts about my work, I want you to feel free to share them! And that is where our comment sections come in.
Longtime readers will already know that I rarely (if ever) respond to comments underneath my fiction stories. Why is this?
Every writer on Substack has their own philosophy on this, but mine is twofold.
My Comment Ethos:
For Readers: I like the reader to feel as though they are free to read and comment as they desire, without me “looking over their shoulder”. Therefore, I love a comment section full of theories, questions, and discussion without me butting in. It’s one of my very favorite things! In the Talebones fiction space, comment sections are for readers. They are where you get to share your “review”, your unfiltered thoughts. And that leads into…
For The Writer: As a writer, reading feedback and reviews—good or bad—is always a tricky balancing act. Many a writer has gotten into trouble (especially online) because they read and argued with their critics, or took comments too personally. Yikes. For this reason, as a preventative measure and to give myself a bit of professional distance, I prefer to let ALL of the comments—positive and less so—sit equally at the table. I don’t give preferential treatment to either, whether by responding or ignoring.
With that said, here are some things I want you to know:
I read every single comment, and I deeply cherish them. If I tap the heart to “like” your comment, it isn’t arbitrary. It means I saw it, I appreciate it, and it’s my way of expressing my gratitude to you for taking the time to comment.
If you need to ask me a direct question, always feel free to throw it in the comment section. I’m often happy to answer questions! (Unless they’re plot or spoiler-related, haha!)
I try to make a habit (though I don’t always succeed) of responding to the comments under each issue of The Weekly. So, if you want to engage with me, those posts are often good places to do so!
You can always, always find me on Notes, no matter what, if you want to chat about my work. Or you can respond to my posts via email, and sometimes that can be a good way to contact me, as well, especially with more “direct message” types of questions and comments.
Lastly…
I want to thank each and every one of you for making the Talebones community an incredibly gracious place to share my work.
I am humbled every single day by the time you all take to give me your precious attention, your readership, and your comments. In this fast-paced world, attention is currency, and I treasure every cent!