Comments in stories?

[Epsilon_Twilight]

I'm a bit new to SH (been here almost a year though I haven't interacted much with the site) and I was asking myself why do I get so few comments. My story has 13k views but I only have like 5 comments in total over a hundred something chapters. Several authors have told me that SH has more commenters than RR (which I also publish my story there) but every chapter in RR I already get 5 comments. I know my story isn't as popular here, and that's to say not popular at all, but considering that it has a bit of smut, I expected more comments.
I don't care about views, but I love interacting with my readers and comments are my only way to do that besides author notes. Do you have the same problem as me with comments, or am I a special case?

 

[Dieter]

Comments on a chapter will depend on the content. RR in general should have more commenters because it has a larger audience, but again, that depends on the content. Both sites have different tastes. And no, you aren't really a special case.

 

[Nahrenne]

I'm a bit new to SH (been here almost a year though I haven't interacted much with the site) and I was asking myself why do I get so few comments. My story has 13k views but I only have like 5 comments in total over a hundred something chapters. Several authors have told me that SH has more commenters than RR (which I also publish my story there) but every chapter in RR I already get 5 comments. I know my story isn't as popular here, and that's to say not popular at all, but considering that it has a bit of smut, I expected more comments.
I don't care about views, but I love interacting with my readers and comments are my only way to do that besides author notes. Do you have the same problem as me with comments, or am I a special case?

I would say that SH readers tend to be more on the shy side when it comes to commenting.
Also, some people may have binge-read your story and thus not given comments as they just went straight to the next chapter.
Or some may have been stockpiling.
Etc...
The views also isn't entirely indicative of how many have read, since the view count includes people who go onto the synopsis/home page of your story.

Maybe try and encourage interaction by making an author's note at the end of your chapters asking what the readers think will happen next, what they think of what's happened, etc...?

X

 

[Jerynboe]

Amusingly enough the only site I’ve gotten really reliable comments for every chapter was the first one I posted my smutty isekai power fantasy army building story on, and that was a website specifically for smut. Not just thirst posting either; they had entire discussions about the MC’s tactical situation and resource allocation. It was really weird, but enjoyable.

 

[Paul__Michaels]

I did a quick glance and read only the first chapter of your story.

And all I can stay is your story is for niche audience. I know you said it's slow in your description. But you go into some things that the MC knows off the bat and yet it's too vague on what the society is truly like. I got that it's supposed to be harsh with it being a desert environment but there's a hierarchy you hinted at that seems to be a future optical. And as a reader I'm like, "Do I want to spend the time trusting that the author will explain this in a interesting way?"

So you have a weird mix of possible complexity with a lot of vagueness. Added on top of that, it's tough to relate to the death of Aloe's grandfather. Because it comes right at the beginning just to inform us on why Aloe is tracking across the desert. Plus you mentioned that her grandfather was ill but somehow was able to get to this greenhouse in the middle of the desert? A little nitpick I know but my point is, your first chapter is tough for captivating a wider audience.

And the other thing that might be hurting you is the cover. I feel like it's more trying to be a joke with all the grass with a cannabis leaf in the sun. But it's not the best for drawing the attention of bystanders' eyes. In my opinion.

Your writing is solid from the first chapter. And I wish you the best of luck.

Peace

 

[Epsilon_Twilight]

I already encourage interaction, especially by posting story related art, and whilst that generates traction in RR, I haven't found such luck here.

 

[Paul__Michaels]

I already encourage interaction, especially by posting story related art, and whilst that generates traction in RR, I haven't found such luck here.

Well the only other thing I can offer is adding a tag.
You have a tag saying the protag is bisexual. If I'm remembering correctly. If there's enough of a woman on woman relationship. Then you might want to add the GL tag.

It's one of the trifecta tags that filters audience on SH.

That's all I got for ya

 

[Epsilon_Twilight]

Okay, I can do that, all action has been lesbian at this moment.
Thanks for voicing your opinions, this is the kind of stuff I would like to get.
And yes, I specialize in niche things, exactly like you said. I mostly read novels rather than webnovels, so it's rather second nature having a beginning that's about establishing a setting rather than making a striking first impression.