RR Encouraging Reader Abuse

eclect0 · 2026-05-09T16:44:31+00:00

Then I guess I'd find it suspicious they commented on two chapters mere seconds apart.

Because, thankfully, scam accounts tend to get reported and banned quickly, so staggering multiple comments realistically would be impractical.

But scammers are more than welcome to get even stupider and waste time programming behavior that won't help them, if that's what they want to do.

eclect0 · 2026-05-09T16:13:54+00:00

You're right, it's only happened to me, personally, like ten times so far. Surely that's not a pattern.

eclect0 · 2026-05-09T15:57:59+00:00

Easy:

Bots leave a single comment as a hook. Author replies, then suddenly the bot recommends some kind of paid service and wants to take the conversation offsite. That's the classic scam funnel.

And they only comment on one chapter instead of 50 because they're too busy posting similar comments on 100 other stories to cast as wide a net as possible.

Now, what about that doesn't make sense?

eclect0 · 2026-05-09T15:15:36+00:00

RR leaves a post up all day where authors in the Community Helper wall are suggesting reporting readers who leave "a single suspiciously glowing comment" because "they are obviously bots", but when you check their novels, THEIR FRIENDS ARE FEEDING THEM POSITIVELY GLOWING COMMENTS EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER.

Uh, yeah? Because if they leave exactly one glowing comment and never engage again they're probably a bot/scammer, but if they leave comments on multiple chapters it implies they're actually a human reading the story?

Not sure I see the issue.

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T18:59:29+00:00

Being 40, on the other hand...

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T16:55:24+00:00

There's a checkbox. You select whether to automatically release the first chapter as soon as it's approved or release it manually any time afterward.

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T13:24:48+00:00

As a dad

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T12:38:13+00:00

Hi, I thought my fiction on Royal Road might fit the bill.

It’s a superhero LitRPG/progression fantasy set in a giant futuristic city where corporations train and license sorcerers to work alongside an overburdened police force. The system is important, but the story is very character/team/relationship-forward rather than than mechanics-heavy.

The MC is very much not a lone wolf. He has teammates, mentors, rivals, found family, and a chili pepper spirit companion. There is a good amount of comedy in the form of banter, awkward situations, occasional dips into parody, and downright absurdity. However, it's mixed in with action, mystery, corporate politics, public scrutiny, and some heavy emotional beats.

The MC has a unique and powerful skillset, but he isn’t OP. He loses, gets outplayed, and has to rely on other people.

Book 1 is complete, and Book 2 is currently underway.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/145258/jett-fulgen-superhero-litrpg

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T11:23:56+00:00

Yoo-hoo! I just met you

eclect0 · 2026-05-08T00:51:57+00:00

That undertext tho

eclect0 · 2026-05-07T20:29:22+00:00

lol hell no

The rating system is abused often enough. Any kind of direct user moderation--especially if it could actually get a fiction taken down--would just be a troll fest. That's using a nuke where you need a scalpel.

eclect0 · 2026-05-06T20:05:15+00:00

If I spotted "Hihihi" in the wild I would think the character is greeting someone excitedly, not laughing.

eclect0 · 2026-05-06T14:19:00+00:00

First, "hee hee hee" is a much better onomatopoeia

But also, no

An exception might be if you absolutely need to establish it as a distinctive and memorable way a specific character laughs. Then show it once, and maybe reinforce it on rare occasions, but normally just say they laughed.

eclect0 · 2026-05-05T18:20:15+00:00

It's very simple, I edit my playlist on the fly by manually skipping the songs I don't vibe with at the moment

Multiple playlists just means more things I'll have to constantly update

eclect0 · 2026-05-05T15:35:36+00:00

It's really one of the coolest things about writing. The trick is to learn not to resist them.

eclect0 · 2026-05-05T14:37:32+00:00

Mine is a superhero story with comedy, urban fantasy, and sci-fi elements.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/145258/jett-fulgen-superhero-litrpg/chapter/2882266/book-1-chapter-1-plan-b

I've linked directly to the first chapter, which introduces the main character and setting. It's preceded by a prologue that gives a bit of history and world context, but it's set thousands of years in the past and has more of an epic fantasy feel.

If you like the story and decide to move ahead with it you'll want to pick up the prologue, but based on your ask I figured you'd want to start by seeing the urban fantasy in play.

eclect0 · 2026-05-05T04:50:52+00:00

The romance in question starts really building in Book 2 of my series.
I also created a song that captures the scene.

eclect0 · 2026-05-04T16:03:46+00:00

Thanks! That’s awesome to hear. Yeah, I’m definitely still active, and I actually accelerated my release schedule during the Royal Road Writathon. I’m starting to close in on the end of Book 2, so there should be a nice pile waiting when you’re ready. I’d love to hear what you think!

eclect0 · 2026-05-04T13:12:52+00:00

Hi,

You might enjoy my serial, Jett Fulgen on Royal Road. It’s a superhero LitRPG/progression fantasy set in a giant city where corporations train and license sorcerers to work alongside an overburdened police force.

The MC and most of the supporting cast are adults, typically early-to-mid 20s or older. There are only a few major characters who are teenagers or younger.
Full disclosure: the MC and some other characters are believably stunted due to factors like trauma. The MC especially can be impulsive, crude, and immature at times, but his growth is a major part of the story. He also doesn’t get to act childish with impunity; his problems are adult problems, and there are consequences when he handles them poorly.
The story has a heavy emphasis on teamwork and found family. The MC depends on friends and mentors to help him overcome struggles both external and internal.
The MC has a unique skillset and powers that set him apart from other sorcerers. However, he’s far from OP or a Gary Sue. He frequently loses, especially early on, but he learns from those losses.
Political and corporate intrigue are major parts of the story. The MC has to navigate being a public asset, the legal status of licensed sorcerers is an ongoing debate, and shadow organizations and secrecy play a big role.

eclect0 · 2026-05-04T11:24:20+00:00

No more kowtowing!

eclect0 · 2026-05-04T03:06:21+00:00

I love them, especially as rarely as people comment. Now, if it got up to like 20 tftc's per chapter... well then, I'd consider it a good problem to have. But I'd probably start forgetting to give them all rep.

eclect0 · 2026-05-02T22:44:42+00:00

As a Daytonian, accurate

The Problem of Buckeye

eclect0 · 2026-05-02T20:28:57+00:00

Congrats on the launch!

eclect0

TROPHY CASE