mod post: special reccers

[ozqueen]

Hey hey, gensploders!

To celebrate our little community gaining over 100 subscribers (yay, thank you!) we thought it might be worth offering a challenge for those of you who prefer some structure/deadline/incentive when it comes to posting things.

Starting in April, we're going to begin a "special reccer" program, in which one volunteer per month is challenged to post a certain number of gen fics (for whatever fandoms they want). It doesn't mean nobody else can post, but you'll get a few little bonuses for participating as a special reccer.

At this point we're thinking at least 10 recs for the month in at least 3 different fandoms (but keep an eye on the comments of this post, because it's evolving), and we'll even offer up shiny buttons/banners for each achievement. (And the achievements are open to suggestion.) We're not expecting it to be too full-on, because we're still a pretty small community and we're not completely flooded with recs yet, but this might be something fun, and it'll offer a little more structure if you're better off aiming for something specific, like a certain amount of recs in a certain amount of time.

We've got a nifty poll for you to fill out to display your interest. Filling out the poll is not a commitment, it's just there to sound out how many people might be interested.

Poll #15049 opinions on the special reccer program?

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 24

View Respondents

opinions on the special reccer program?

View Answers

SOUNDS AMAZING. WILL TOTALLY SIGN UP, IRL RESPONSIBILITIES BE DAMNED
1 (4.2%)

I'd love to have a go at being special reccer! Depends on what RL looks like for me that month, but I'm definitely interested.
12 (50.0%)

Mayyyybe. I'll probably observe at first to see how it works, but I may put my hand up in a few months!
8 (33.3%)

I'm totally into more awesome recs being posted here! But I'm unlikely to sign myself up, sorry guys!
5 (20.8%)

What even is this comm? How did this end up on my reading page? I don't even *like* gen.
0 (0.0%)

TICKY BOXES
7 (29.2%)

Other, and I'll explain in the comments
1 (4.2%)

Comments

[sylvaine]

I'd definitely love to do this, a little later when I'm not quite so busy. However, I think 10 recs is a little much? I think the amount might frighten away a lot of people who do have time, but not quite that much. People who do have the time and willingness to rec more can still do so - or keep their recs for next month!

[ozqueen]

That's a very good point! Obviously we're still developing the idea, but we're talking it over now and thinking maybe we won't have a minimum, just offer goals. We'll make up little buttons or banners for people and depending on the amount of recs or achievements, you can collect various ones. That way, people can just go for what they're comfortable with, but hopefully we'll still encourage a way to get a nice spread of recs! :)

[sylvaine]

Oh, I like that idea! Positive reinforcement. ^^ (Though it will be a little more work for you, that way.)

[ozqueen]

Eh, I'll make isabelquinn do it all ;) Anyway, if we get more recs coming in, EVERYBODY WINS :D

[lilacsigil]

I chose "Depends what RL looks like for me that month" but I am totally interested in volunteering most months!

[ozqueen]

Hooray! We'll have an official sign up post at some point, once we figure out the finer details!

[endeni]

Hi there, love this comm! Dunno if I'll participate to the challenge though, I usually prefer a more casual, low-pressure type of reccing (or any kind of challenge, really...) :D Still, if you need help with some achievement graphics I'm available! :)
Also about the suggestions... how about completing your fic recs quota within a theme? Like time-travel/AU recs/external POV recs?

[ozqueen]

Ooh we might take you up on the graphics offer! We'll keep you posted but I am under no grand illusions that I have any skills in photoshop whatsoever, so volunteers are totally welcome. ;)

And we can definitely offer banners for themes as well! Given we're such a small comm and gen recs are a bit harder to find than shippy recs, we won't stick only to themes, but if someone wants to take up the challenge for themselves we can certainly get on board!

(I'm a bit the same with reccing - I'm excited right now but who am I kidding, a lazy rec every few days is more my style. Mention deadlines and I get panicky, haha!)

[endeni]

Oh, you're definitely right, sticking /only/ to themes would be triky. *nods*
Yay, lazy is indeed my way to go... :D

[espresso_addict]

From past experiences at Crack Van, ten is doable in a month though, even if you've got the stories lined up beforehand, it's quite hard work to write expanded reviews for so many. You might offer special 'prizes', say for recs in ten different fandoms, or all on one theme, or all in fandoms not previously recommended at the comm, or in several different media.

By the way, are re-recs permitted?

[ozqueen]

There's no ~punishment~ or whatever for recommending something again, but we're still a pretty small comm, and a quick search of the tags will reveal whether or not something has already been recommended. If you feel really strongly about it and you can offer a different view/review of the previous post, I doubt anyone will really complain (mods included), but of course we'd much rather see new stuff. :)

Haha how's that for a useless answer?

[espresso_addict]

Thanks! As you say at the moment it's easy to search, but people might be reassured that they can start putting together recs sets in advance without risk of being pipped to the post. There's nothing more annoying in a comm that prohibits rerecs than signing up to rec 10 Stories that Jump Through Tight Hoops, and finding that someone else recs one of your works the day beforehand!

[ozqueen]

Oh totally! We'll definitely understand if that situation comes up, haha!

[endeni]

/recs in ten different fandoms, or all on one theme, or all in fandoms not previously recommended at the comm, or in several different media./ - Oh, great ideas! ♥
ETA: BTW, loved Espresso Recommendations. Didn't know you had a journal, adding it now, love your recs! ;)

[espresso_addict]

I'm really looking forward to this development here! Glad you like Espresso Recs; sometimes it feels like a bit of a thankless task.

[dirty_diana]

10 recs seems high to me too, partly as a barrier to people who would sign up for a lower number, but also if I happen across an unknown comm with one single person posting that often, I might wonder if it's some sort of secret club that isn't interested in my participation. :)

[ozqueen]

Ahaha that's a good point!

[eevilalice]

Just wanted to say I think 10 recs in a month is totally doable (het_reccers does 20 in 5 fandoms), and I also like the idea of different "achievements" depending on how many recs and fandoms, etc. I'm the sort of person who likes to work toward a goal. :) I take a different view than some others in that if 10 seemed unreachable, it's not like they couldn't keep reccing generally.

Would multiple recs per entry be allowed (say if someone's reccing multiple works for a fandom)? That might help make it seem more manageable to people. Also, it would reduce comm traffic if that's a concern.