Readers are Hiding From Authors

Erysion · 2026-03-11T21:34:32+0000

I noticed more users are hiding their public reading list. There are many reasons for this behaviour. Most of the time, it's to prevent others from deducing your kinks and fetishes based on the books on your reading list.

But that's not the only reason.

Hiding your public reading list also cause you to stop appearing in a story's latest readers list. The author can't see you reading their story.

Why do this?

Because recently, some starting authors new to the site have picked up a bad habit. They don't know the majority of readers on SH are silent and would visit their profiles to ask for their comments and reviews. (Quack, et al. 2026)

Some don't stop until you blocked them.

If you are a reader, you can hide your public reading list to prevent this. If you are an author, please don't bother your readers. Respect your readers choice when they said no.

Beeteetee · 2026-03-11T21:42:10+0000

The good way to smother inspiration is to pander to an audience. The author would constantly second guess everything that is written.

Pandering is the publishing editors job.

Conqueror_Quack · 2026-03-11T21:49:10+0000

Erysion said:
I noticed more users are hiding their public reading list. There are many reasons for this behaviour. Most of the time, it's to prevent others from deducing your kinks and fetishes based on the books on your reading list.

But that's not the only reason.

Hiding your public reading list also cause you to stop appearing in a story's latest readers list. The author can't see you reading their story.

Why do this?

Because recently, some starting authors new to the site have picked up a bad habit. They don't know the majority of readers on SH are silent and would visit their profiles to ask for their comments and reviews. (Quack, et al. 2026)

Some don't stop until you blocked them.

If you are a reader, you can hide your public reading list to prevent this. If you are an author, please don't bother your readers. Respect your readers choice when they said no.

This is genuinely how it feels.

TASTYLEADPAINT · 2026-03-11T21:50:02+0000

To any new authors dont beg for reviews. It makes you look desperate if you want your story to gain traction just release constantly and be patient.

Also you may have to accept what your writing isnt as cool or as interesting as you thought it was

Envylope · 2026-03-11T21:50:54+0000

Beeteetee said:
The good way to smother inspiration is to pander to an audience. The author would constantly second guess everything that is written.

Pandering is the publishing editors job.

Huh?

Erysion said:
I noticed more users are hiding their public reading list. There are many reasons for this behaviour. Most of the time, it's to prevent others from deducing your kinks and fetishes based on the books on your reading list.

But that's not the only reason.

Hiding your public reading list also cause you to stop appearing in a story's latest readers list. The author can't see you reading their story.

Why do this?

Because recently, some starting authors new to the site have picked up a bad habit. They don't know the majority of readers on SH are silent and would visit their profiles to ask for their comments and reviews. (Quack, et al. 2026)

Some don't stop until you blocked them.

If you are a reader, you can hide your public reading list to prevent this. If you are an author, please don't bother your readers. Respect your readers choice when they said no.

You telling me we can't stalk our readers? Whack.

tiaf · 2026-03-11T21:52:51+0000

I didn't know authors do this. My introverted self cringes in anxiety at the thought of begging some stranger.

Erysion · 2026-03-11T21:53:13+0000

Envylope said:
Huh?

You telling me we can't stalk our readers? Whack.

Stop stalking them without their consent. Whack.

Envylope · 2026-03-11T21:54:13+0000

Erysion said:
Stop stalking them without their consent. Whack.

To be clear, I don't actually do it. I was joking!

Conqueror_Quack · 2026-03-11T21:55:12+0000

tiaf said:
I didn't know authors do this. My introverted self cringes in anxiety at the thought of begging some stranger.

Just go through the lounge you will find them dime a dozen. Last day I remember seeing this one author receiving a message from another author asking for a review and he just copied it and started posting it on profiles of people who touched his works.

Our_Lady_in_Twilight · 2026-03-11T21:55:45+0000

Bloody stalking vampires

Louhi · 2026-03-11T21:59:58+0000

Our_Lady_in_Twilight said:
Bloody stalking vampires

Vampires are polite. Can't enter homes without invitation.

Envylope · 2026-03-11T22:00:09+0000

Our_Lady_in_Twilight said:
Bloody stalking vampires

These can't even be considered true vampires. They're bloody leeches and [Lesser Vampire] scum. Not to mention, they are chronic lechers masquerading as authors. Ptui.

Dec · 2026-03-11T22:01:50+0000

Our_Lady_in_Twilight said:
Bloody stalking vampires

That's what they do, no? They need to stalk their prey, cause if they start sucking in the open it might easily break the masquerade.

Erysion said:
Because recently, some starting authors new to the site have picked up a bad habit. They don't know the majority of readers on SH are silent and would visit their profiles to ask for their comments and reviews.

Yep. Lately it was happening more and more. Tourists from WN, I guess.
Thankfully site has the block functionality, so there is at least a way to deal with them fairly easy.

Beeteetee · 2026-03-11T22:05:44+0000

Envylope said:
Huh?

It was a mild joke about when a manuscript is seriously considered, the editor has an annoying tendency of saying, "have you considered..." and finish off their suggestions as, "it fits the highest paying demographics of the market."

ex:
"your stuff is great - angst, growth, natural conversations even though it's an assassin revenge in a fantasy genre.... have you considered rewriting it as a romance happily ever after, it fits the highest paying demographics! It would make your work publishable. especially if it's for YA."

TinaMigarlo · 2026-03-11T22:28:09+0000

I though stalking showed you cared.
My bad.
Yet, that would explain a lot.
People thought writers were all basically normal people?
Color them surprise.

ElijahRyne · 2026-03-11T22:34:36+0000

Ya have to hook the reader. Cast a line and reel them in. The best bait for ya to use is the crypto scam. Make sure to create your own meme token, message everyone you can. Then reel in the idiots who bite. That is how you get readers to comment.

NapLovingImmortal · 2026-03-11T22:37:25+0000

I once gave a 1 star and the author suddenly wrote something on my profile. Nah, thanks. Im letting my list off.

Our_Lady_in_Twilight · 2026-03-11T22:38:43+0000

ElijahRyne said:
Ya have to hook the reader. Cast a line and reel them in. The best bait for ya to use is the crypto scam. Make sure to create your own meme token, message everyone you can. Then reel in the idiots who bite. That is how you get readers to comment.

Coming soon, the Non Fungible Novel

KinaSkynight · 2026-03-11T22:40:06+0000

Lol people do that here? Gosh, I will be careful ^_^' though I am not a very good reviewer in the first place X'D

Hasako · 2026-03-11T22:55:10+0000

Conqueror_Quack said:
View attachment 47411
This is genuinely how it feels.

Gaining followers is always like a battlefield, though

Readers are Hiding From Authors

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