an experiment, or a sad trolling for reviews

[dbskyler]

I've had an AO3 account since Yuletide 2009, but I've never posted any of my non-Yuletide fic there. In particular, I've never put any of my Doctor Who fic there. I've always felt that the best place for Doctor Who fic is the Teaspoon, and the second-best place for my Doctor Who fic is my journal and sometimes certain LJ communities.

But, I realize that there might be a slightly different audience at AO3, so I've nevertheless toyed with the idea of putting my Doctor Who fic there. It's also occurred to me that some people who only know me from my Yuletide fic might be curious to see what else I have written. Unless they're big Doctor Who fans, they are unlikely to go looking for my fic at the Teaspoon. Actually, even if they are big Doctor Who fans, they are unlikely to go looking for my fic at the Teaspoon unless they happen to already know that I write in that fandom, which they would not know from looking at my AO3 account. When you put it like that, it makes sense to post all my fic in the same place at AO3. In fact, I believe that is one of the main points of having a multi-fandom archive.

But why am I feeling motivated to finally cross-post a fic or two now? Well, the sad fact is that I haven't written anything new in a really long time, and I am kind of missing reviews. I had been thinking that it would be nice to get another review. And then I thought, maybe putting an already-written story onto AO3 would be a good way to get a review.

So, I confess that I have gone and put "Spotter's Guide to the Doctor" up on AO3. This will be an interesting experiment to see if it's worthwhile to put all my Doctor Who fic up there.

And, perhaps I will get a review.

Comments

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Looks like the experiment was a success :D

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Not really, to be honest. In three days, it's only gotten 33 hits. Only one new person responded to it, although that person really liked it (leaving me a review, and kudos, and bookmarking it).

But since this is my first non-Yuletide fic there, I don't know how to judge the hit rate / review rate. Also, I assume that a lot of Teaspoon readers have already seen the fic; a brand-new fic might get a better hit rate.

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Wellllll... I only have my experiences with AO3, but to compare it to my uploads there, then yes, I'd call it a success. Yuletide fics really do get a lot more love than regular fics.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I just sneaked a peek at your AO3 fics, and OMG, "But, Oh, Those Human Women" only has three hits? THREE??!!! But that's a GORGEOUS fic! GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! And it was recced on Calufrax, and deservedly so! I must have read it through at least three times myself the first day you posted it.

I think I see a problem with the AO3 tagging system. Sure, it's great for finding the specific characters / pairings you're looking for, but it's harder to come across the unique gems.

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes. Are you suggesting Bran/Valerie isn't the most popular pairing in DW?! :D

But yeah, you're absolutely right about the tags. At least it seems they're solving the 1000 fics limit now - until now you would only get the first 1000 fics on any search. So it perhaps allows people to view more fics. Hopefully. :D

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Well, it's one of *my* favorite pairings! Ooh, I should search AO3 for more Brannigan/Valerie fics!

[pitry.livejournal.com]

... there are none. ;) For ages my Bran/Valerie tag was unverified and unsearchable. :D

Also, LOL! You kudos'd it! Now there are four hits! ♥ ♥ ♥

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Well, I had to do my part for the Branerie shippers!

If it makes you feel any better, I have just verified that I am the only person to have fic at AO3 based on Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe." I think we should both be proud!