Story stats: Freya and the Space Hippies

My first story for 2024 Freya and the Space Hippies has been published for two days and half days. Let’s check on reader reception.

Response has been tepid. Only 57 votes, 4 favorites and a score hovering around 4.67. The few comments have been positive.

This is my first attempt at a story in the Science Fiction category, which is less popular than others. Plus, it’s a short story at only 5,190 words with a formulaic plot. So, the response isn’t surprising.

Still, I had fun writing it and readers seem to have enjoyed it. Growing up, I read nothing but science fiction–Dune, Heinlein, Asimov, Bradbury and Jerry Pournelle/Larry Niven, before I learned of their fascist leanings–so writing science fiction felt pretty natural.

Story stats: Pickle-face and the Professor

My final story for 2023 Pickle-face and the Professor has been published for two days and a bit. Let’s see how readers have reacted.

A writer figuring out story stats (credit: DALL-E)

After 2+ days, reader response has been incredible—much better than expected for such an odd, disjointed story. The rating sits at 4.78 and with 288 votes that’s probably around where it will stay.

All comments have been very positive, and many readers have gone on to read and favorite some of my other stories.

Some of the better comments:

5 Stars! A really beautifully crafted story, so well told. I always love what you write. You’re just so gifted.

Great balance of narrative and dialogue with good plot flow.

Terrific story! Well written with two likable and relatable character. Free use in a romance story! I never would have imagined it, but it worked.

The “free use” angle I was sure would draw the ire of self-appointed gatekeepers of the Romance category, similar to the lashing Back to Where It Almost Began got for mentioning pegging. So far, that hasn’t happened.