I published a short sci-fi novel, but I can’t have a discussion about its contents anywhere on the web because I get immediately hit with an RKV or a photoid for self promotion. What should I do? They don’t even accept free copies of the Novel. Even if don’t even mention the platforms in which it is on sale.
Hey, total stranger chiming in here just to say that I don’t think the issue is that OP feels like they’re owed feedback, nor that there aren’t plenty of others who want it as well; I think it’s just gotten very prohibitive on the internet where the first priority of any platform has become the legal protections, and so where once there was a flourishing free exchange of ideas on the internet where the knowledge and communication was the priority (anyone remember USENET), it has devolved into lawyers banning everything they can think of all to keep things protected, and so this budding writer can’t just easily find a place to say, “hey everyone, what do you think of this?”
If I’m wrong and have misunderstood, then I apologize.
A pattern I’ve noticed isn’t the legal aspect, but rather the monetization. Everyone is offering a platform where an obscure writer can pay to give away their writing for free or pay for an ad campaign where you’re spending more on ads than you will otherwise make off your work. One of the significant advantages for writing is that it requires very little overhead versus another activity like making physical objects that require equipment and material. But the market is saturated and publishing platforms are harder to access unless you’re a guaranteed seller who is already somewhat famous or has a built-in following. And there’s always someone out there willing to “help” by taking your money for the promise of connections and exposure.
It reminds me of the old poetry contest scams where you submit a poem, they tell every poet that they’ve “won” and will be published, and then they offer a “discount” for poets published in the book to get print copies for you and your friends and family, but the book is only advertised to the poets.
It does seem like there should be more open and free resources for this—websites where authors and readers connect without barriers or monetization. There probably are, but they don’t show up high in search results. Obviously they’re not going to be seen before all the paid options with ad funding.
Well, maybe someone will start a federated group here on Lemmy. One where there are no restrictions other than typical code of conduct.