Readers are Hiding From Authors

KennyCelican · 2026-03-11T23:00:09+0000

TASTYLEADPAINT said:
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

Constantly or consistently?

Okram · 2026-03-11T23:00:28+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.

I thought stalking was an expression of love. SMH

KennyCelican · 2026-03-11T23:02:53+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.

Out of curiosity, do readers who do comment feel that way if the author replies to their comment?

I like comments, so I've made it a habit to reply to them, to interact with readers who take the time to initiate the conversation. I hope I'm not discouraging folks from commenting by doing so.

But going out and *asking* for comments? WTF? Ew. No thank you. I'd rather a reader read and enjoy without commenting than try to force comments because I stalked them.

JayMark · 2026-03-11T23:31:04+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.

The really sad thing is its probably the recent surge of 'directors' who curate stories with AI.

Envylope · 2026-03-11T23:31:21+0000

KennyCelican said:
Constantly or consistently?

Be constantly consistent. Or consistently constant if you are extreme.

pangmida · 2026-03-11T23:48:26+0000

I like displaying my reading lists to show off stories I love and would recommend. But I understand why some readers prefer to hide it.

AliceMoonvale · 2026-03-11T23:55:28+0000

I hide my list cause fuck you, that's why.

Nobody needs to see the cringe I look at or stories I've neglected reading.

tiaf · 2026-03-11T23:55:30+0000

KennyCelican said:
Out of curiosity, do readers who do comment feel that way if the author replies to their comment?

I like comments, so I've made it a habit to reply to them, to interact with readers who take the time to initiate the conversation. I hope I'm not discouraging folks from commenting by doing so.

But going out and *asking* for comments? WTF? Ew. No thank you. I'd rather a reader read and enjoy without commenting than try to force comments because I stalked them.

When I comment as a reader I'm quite happy if someone responds and shares my view. If an author responds it's kind of an honor of "senpai noticed me!" sentiment I guess?

Hans.Trondheim · 2026-03-12T00:01:48+0000

Now I have to go to main site to see if my reading list is private.

TinaMigarlo · 2026-03-12T00:35:56+0000

my screen name is stamped right across the book cover of a smut. who would i be kidding to hide anything i read. the more i think about it, it probably looks weird that I don't have smut on my reading list. i must be then viewed as some kind of pedestrian to the smut world, displaying such an obvious lack of complete commitment to the smut craft.

CharlesEBrown · 2026-03-12T02:05:29+0000

Can you blame them? We authors can be a scary, needy lot, after all...

Readers are Hiding From Authors

KennyCelican

Active member

Okram

Member

KennyCelican

Active member

JayMark

It's Not Easy Being Nobody, But Somebody Has To.

Envylope

Queen of the Enpire

pangmida

needs a better sleep schedule

AliceMoonvale

Staff-assisted member

tiaf

ゞ(シㅇ3ㅇ)っ•♥•Speak fishy, read BL.•♥•

Hans.Trondheim

Low energy is king!

TinaMigarlo

the jury is back. I'm almost too hot for smuthub.

CharlesEBrown

Well-known member