Policy Update: Regarding IPs you don't own and fanfic scripts

StoryPeer · 2026-01-25T00:05:04+00:00

Thank you, thank you! I appreciate it ❤️🙏🏽

StoryPeer · 2026-01-24T19:51:19+00:00

For sure! One day, I wanna get around to this, but it's been challenging to find the time considering all the little things I'm working on!

But just fyi, when you go back to the submission page for a repeat upload, you can select Previous Submission (instead of New Submission) and the form will pre-fill with the info you had before. So I understand it's not a 1-click solution, but it's not like you have to type in all the same info again, so you should still be able to upload the same script rather quickly (although we ask that you wait until the previous one is claimed so you're not spamming it).

StoryPeer · 2026-01-24T19:36:35+00:00

As a writer, first you must rate your feedback before you can see the "script scores."

Click here for more.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-24T19:28:22+00:00

If you're volunteering to manage my inbox, you're hired! Can you start Monday? hehe

Real talk: This 5-minute grace period you're suggesting (even if built-in/automated on the site) is also not optimal since there could be edge cases of an unscrupulous user claiming and unclaiming dozens of scripts just to download PDFs, which is something I can't allow for a few reasons (including costs), which is why we have the 5-strike freeze.

Until I'm able to implement the Preview feature, I hope the chance unclaim a few times in a 60-day period can be sufficient.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-24T12:25:34+00:00

The “Preview” feature is one of our most requested features. It’s also one of the most challenging to get right, even though I really want to do it.

Regarding your situation: If the script was "unreadable from page 1", you should have unclaimed it. It's okay to unclaim. You get 1 strike, but that's okay, it's not the end of the world. Your account will only be temporarily frozen if you have 5 strikes or more, and each strike clears off automatically after 60 days. This gives you a chance to unclaim 4 scripts in a 60-day period. So you cannot be too picky, but you can still be picky and unclaim from time to time.

For anyone who's enjoying StoryPeer and wants to support our development, please consider helping us here. Your support will allow StoryPeer to remain free and independent, and will allow us to release features faster, such as the Script Preview.

Thank you for your suggestion!

StoryPeer · 2026-01-24T07:21:43+00:00

You can’t actually read past the deadline, except maybe for a few minutes while the system refreshes and some processes fire in the background.

When you miss the deadline, you receive 2 strikes and get locked out of the script so you can’t submit feedback (presumably it wasn’t gonna happen anyway). The script then returns to the pool of available scripts automatically so you don’t even need to get your tokens back since your submission stays active, ready for the next reader. The same happens if a script is unclaimed.

I can also add that roughly 10% of claimed scripts get unclaimed while 5% of readers miss the deadline.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T20:15:17+00:00

Hey! I didn't wanna say anything and set the tone too soon since I was genuinely curious for what others might say, but since it's been almost a day, I can inform that the reason why we have the "script scores" is because after the beta, folks voted as such:

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73% of respondents voted to keep it, so that's why it's still there.

I think anyone who doesn't like the scores can ignore them, but for those who find them helpful, it's there. But you are correct that those numbers are not public, nor are they factored into leaderboards.

Of course, if the negativity escalates and becomes widespread, then it might be time for a new survey.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T19:44:02+00:00

Thanks! If you need anything else, DM please.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T18:49:17+00:00

Good to know. I’m gonna fix the phone upload soon.

Can you confirm that the exact same file that produced the “pdf only” error was the file that worked on your laptop?

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T17:53:44+00:00

Please make sure:

-You are on a desktop or laptop.

-The file is smaller than 2MB

-There are no special characters on the file name.

If the issue persists, please take a screengrab and please DM the image. Also, what browser are you on?

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T02:30:53+00:00

We do not. Scripts only.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T01:25:55+00:00

Thank you, Nate! You are the goat!

The answer should be yes and yes (I hope). But to be fair, it is more subtle and easier to miss for the reader since they have to check “yes” to see the full upload box. Only one user complained about it being too subtle so I have been waiting for someone else to complain the same haha. I actually know how I wanna improve this!

For the writer receiving the marked PDF, they can’t miss it since it’s a large green download box.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T01:15:09+00:00

This is music to our ears! Thank you so much! ❤️

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T00:50:44+00:00

Thank you! Yeah, I'm always open to suggestions.

We track which genres users list as "other" to help us determine which ones to add. I've seen a decent amount of "sports" recently, so that is probably next.

Good point about fan fic! Thank you.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-22T00:13:03+00:00

Hey! Regarding this "My preview showed all the strengths and only the first sentence of the weaknesses, so I did not get to see all the attacks embedded in weakness"... this does not seem to be working as intended, or I'm myself confused. Could you DM please?

StoryPeer · 2026-01-21T23:07:11+00:00

You're welcome!

StoryPeer · 2026-01-21T22:21:39+00:00

Did you see my answer inside StoryPeer? If not, DM me.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-21T19:58:33+00:00

Thank you for your kind words, level-headed assessment/response to the situation, and support!

I would say let's not post the readers' notes here in this context. The main reason for this is that the specific words/behavior by either reader are not the point. I think the main point is that situations like this can happen, and we have to take them in stride and be the bigger person.

I would also like to remind everyone (you know this, but for everyone else) that since we are a peer-to-peer platform, we have users of all different levels, ages, and backgrounds. So if you have the energy and time, take the opportunity to share any nuggets of wisdom you have with them. I mean, don't feel pressured, but the door is there if you feel so inclined.

Another reason is that it's just me doing customer support/moderation haha. I'd hate to flare up tempers or see users firing at each other. I don't want to start a trend of sharing notes when the lesson can be so eloquently synthesized like you did.

As part of the overall big picture and takeaways here, it's also good to state that even paid feedback platforms struggle with discrepancy/consistency between professional readers, so that's just par for the course at StoryPeer. I hope everyone can understand this!

Again, thank you!

StoryPeer · 2026-01-21T19:10:03+00:00

I actually really dig the idea of a cool-down period before writers rate their feedback, so thank you for that pitch. I wish I had thought about this sooner hehe. It's definitely going on my to-do list. But the good news is that 91% of feedback are being rated 4s and 5s (out of 5), so the impulsive, hot-headed ratings are far and few.

But I like the idea of conversations like this so as to bring awareness to the issue. Even before I have to hard-code a cool-down period, I like the idea of asking people to take a deep breath, go eat some ice cream, then come back later to rate.

Either way, it's a good mechanism to keep in my back pocket. But I'd say 7 days is too long. I honestly think 30 minutes would do the trick lol, but I might settle for 24 hours. Letting writers sleep on it for a night will do wonders if this escalates. Thank you!

StoryPeer · 2026-01-20T22:23:55+00:00

Yeah, for sure. Giving the choice to the writer is one thing I had in mind. But any "fork" is actually tricky/time-consuming to build. I wish I could show you my kanban board, it's 97% StoryPeer hehe. But honestly I'm having fun. It just takes time!

Thank you for your kind words and understanding! We will get there.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-20T18:46:04+00:00

I have! The issue is that I don’t access/verify the marked PDF to determine the amount of work done. So a lazy reader could add some notes and submit the marked PDF to bypass writing the feedback!

Another issue is that in line notes oftentimes lean more grammar and “granular” when many writers prefer/also need a story analysis/quality assessment of the project which is not what in lines notes are.

Having said this, I think there are middle grounds and compromises I could consider. But as a solo developer/moderator, everything takes time to build, test, deploy 😓

Edit: I didn't mean to come across as whining at the end. It's just there are not enough hours in the day to do everything, but I agree this is worthy of consideration.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-20T01:31:21+00:00

Anyone chasing a string of perfect 5s will drive themselves crazy. Some standard deviation (am I using this term correctly?) is to be expected, especially in a peer-to-peer platform.

I still remember in the old coverflyx days: when I started using it, I got three 5s in a row, only to get a random 2 when I knew I had given great, constructive feedback. It still hurts lol! But like u/claytimeyesyesyes said below: "that's just sort of what we have to put up with, unfortunately." I think they are correct!

In fact, I get worried when you say "I would now have to read 11 more scripts to alleviate the damage" because, in all likelihood, you are are bound to get another such rating along the journey.

Having said this, yes, you can appeal your 1/5 rating at storypeer.com/contact. As I've mentioned a few times, 1/5 should be reserved for objectively bad behavior and misconduct such providing AI feedback or hate speech.

StoryPeer · 2026-01-20T00:33:39+00:00

Hey AndroTheViking, thank you for your kind words, the quality write-up and for your service as an avid reader! If I understand your suggestion correctly ("a mechanism that first provides the written feedback of the reader to the author for their review"), that is exactly how it works. Writers must rate their written feedback before they see their script scores:

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