AUTHONOMY Getting Started...A Guide for Newbies...It is a Gift!...Don't back this Book....Please Comment only.

I spent several days reading this - not wanting to miss anything critical. This book should be made to open up in a default window whenever an unsuspecting newcomer signs up on this site. It should be compulsory, much like signing a waiver before major surgery, or before participating in any dangerous activity. NO getting into the site until the education is complete!

I placed this on my watchlist so I can easily refer back to it when my nerve is rattled, or I just need to see in print that what I am seeing is "just the norm" around here.

It's much more enlightening than the site's FAQ page. But because it is brutally honest, I'm sure the site administrators have no interest in it. Too bad.

I have no plans to join the forums here, although I may lurk if I can. I'm active on African Hunting Forum where the ego rules and idiots thrive. It can be quite a bloodbath when the peeing contests escalate, but very humerous at times.

Thanks for letting me know about this tip guide, and thanks for taking the time to compile it. It is a VALUABLE resource.

Susan

Thank you for writing the guide to authonomy - I am working my way through it as we speak. It explains the site in plain english, it's jargon free instructions, guidance and tips are an essential read for any newbie. Beats the FAQ's section hands done, I think this will be my new bible on navigating here.
I have given it full stars!
What a brilliant, not to mention helpful idea x

Jayne (gjas78)

Thank you for writing this guide, very informative and helpful. I'm not new to the internet - or "trolls". They are everywhere - seems insane that people work the system to get a high ranking when, as you say, if the writing is poor, all they will have accomplished is to have somebody recognize this. I appreicate the advice regarding reviewing others work.

Just found this and I wish I had seeen it when I first joined and I would not have been taken in by a few people around here! Essential reading for newbies. Can it not be posted where it can be easily found?

David,

Thanks so much for the info. I've been on the site now for about two months and I have to say that I figured some of this stuff out for myself--although it's good to see my thoughts validated in the words you wrote. I admit, I always wondered how some books received 700+ comments after only being uploaded for a few months. Or how they'd have a rating in the hundreds after only a few weeks. It made me doubt me doubt my own writing, but I see now that I shouldn't. Some of this is a game and probably shouldn't be taken too seriously (but we authors are seriously people most of the time, right? So go figure)

I hope other "newbie" authonomites take the time to read what you have uploaded. It's informative and will let them know if they are really ready for the ride.

Good luck to you,
Lu-Lu

ive ended up removing my chapters as couldnt take it all in and was bogged down with the thought of having to read so many other peoples work.just been put off completely.

I read all 17 chapters of Authonomy Getting Started….! Thanks for revealing the dark secrets of Authonomy to confused newcomers like ourselves. Our book, Dark Side has been on the site for a little over three weeks. It was an overwhelming experience until we learned by trial and error how to navigate the website. Authonomy has an interesting dynamics going on at several different levels. Your book has helped us peal back the more confusing layers and put it all in perspective. A few authors become “King of the Mountain.” For every one else, Authonomy is a good place to have your work read and critiqued by other writers.
CC Brown

thanks so much for this.i was starting to feel a bit daunted with the whole thing on here feeling obligated to read a trillion books because iv been backed.still unsure so will have a read on.thanks again

I've read the first two chapters, and have only been on the site for 24 hours! It's highly daunting, being spammed left, right and centre with: "BACKED! Great read. Much appreciated if you could read mine." Feeling obligated to read 30 odd books in the space of a very short period of time (and proper edit-reads, not just skimming the surface) was daunting - to the point of wanting to remove my chapters from Authonomy and stick to my day-job for another 40 odd years.

The truth is, I don't have a lot of time! I want to get on here, put my stuff out there, give other people's stuff the time and edit they deserve...and it's just not possible to do it for everyone. So to all the 'skeptics guides to Authonomy' authors I've come across since joining: Thank you. You're broadening my perspective and slowly taking the edge of what was initially an incredibly stressful experience! And much as I'd love to make it to the top of an online slush-pile, I know that if my writing is crap and my heart selfish, it'll slide down as a pile of slush itself as quickly as it rose.

Thank you for the gift :)
Indeed - much appreciated and needed.

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

Thank you for the gift :)
Indeed - much appreciated and needed.

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

Funny and interesting at the same time. I have only made it through chapter 2 so far but I do want to read more when time allows. I was here only a few days when I notice strange things like you mentioned. Then there was the constant hit, I backed you book x days ago. When will you do mine. The same person over and over. Fact is I his was the first book I backed on the site two days after he backed mine, and he backed mine only hours after it was posted. Hummmmm, wonder about that.
Thanks for the laughs, and facts. Be back for more. Will put this on my watch list for future reading before I forget where I found it.
Have an enjoyable day,
Nick

Very good, interesting and helpful. Thanks for the link.

This is great - the Hitchhikers' Guide to Authonomy! I've only read the start but love it already - I will be coming back for more.

Some useful tips here. Thanks for the link!
Simon, CONNECTED

I spent several days reading this - not wanting to miss anything critical. This book should be made to open up in a default window whenever an unsuspecting newcomer signs up on this site. It should be compulsory, much like signing a waiver before major surgery, or before participating in any dangerous activity. NO getting into the site until the education is complete!

I placed this on my watchlist so I can easily refer back to it when my nerve is rattled, or I just need to see in print that what I am seeing is "just the norm" around here.

It's much more enlightening than the site's FAQ page. But because it is brutally honest, I'm sure the site administrators have no interest in it. Too bad.

I have no plans to join the forums here, although I may lurk if I can. I'm active on African Hunting Forum where the ego rules and idiots thrive. It can be quite a bloodbath when the peeing contests escalate, but very humerous at times.

Thanks for letting me know about this tip guide, and thanks for taking the time to compile it. It is a VALUABLE resource.

Susan

This must have taken you ages. I found it very useful and I am therefore more than happy to back it.

Best Wishes

Anna
Always the Bridesmaid

Backed with pleasure! Tom Ryerson (Carnal Wreckage)

Good job. Mind you, presented with your compliments, you goof. Not complements.

I'm probably going to go about this publishing thing the old fashioned way instead of staying here. Thanks for writing this. Wow.

Ellie

Hi David,
So far, yours are the most refreshing, welcome message I have received. This site seemed exciting and fun.... until messages started appearing faster than I could respond! Gone one day and people were mad that I hadn't back their work! How can I find the time to read these books and stay honest?

Well, thank you. Before I revoke my free 'membership' (well, not sure what word to use there), I will read your gift. I will also be back to read more of your words. Thank you!
Ellie

Hi David,
So far, yours are the most refreshing, welcome message I have received. This site seemed exciting and fun.... until messages started appearing faster than I could respond! Gone one day and people were mad that I hadn't back their work! How can I find the time to read these books and stay honest?

Well, thank you. Before I revoke my free 'membership' (well, not sure what word to use there), I will read your gift. I will also be back to read more of your words. Thank you!
Ellie

Thank you, David. I will use this as a reference as well as an anchor when I find myself too swept-up in Authonomy.
My work has been up for almost a week and I have begun to wonder what I was doing here.
I am enthralled with some of the books I've read and unimpressed by others. Meanwhile, I'm expected to back them all on the same day!
I put this book on my watchlist for reference as I am not as computer literate as I should be.
Thanks (seriously) MD Eyler ps will be back to take a look at your other work

This is a good idea. I think a lot of people could use something like this, including myself.

I'm nowhere near a newbie, but still found myself reading and reading. Good stuff, David. NOT BACKED!
(but I did back one of your others a while ago)

David,
Thanks for tipping me off that this book was posted. Sure helps make some sense of what's going on here. Next I need to start doing some of the things suggested!
Alan
Say for Me Kaddish
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=20087

This is both lots of fun and compulsive reading. I'm not going to bother backing it - as you tell us not to. But I am now quite likely to come back and have a read of one of your proper books. Thanks. Ben

David,
Thanks for tipping me off that this book was posted. Sure helps make some sense of what's going on here. Next I need to start doing some of the things suggested!
Alan
Say for Me Kaddish
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=20087

Thank you for uploading this book and messaging me about it. I have read all of what you have uploaded and, as a result, have learnt a lot about Authonomy. I shall be adding this book to my watchlist so i can refer back to it when needed - Thanks again, I would recommend this book to any newcomer on the site.

Gina (Fallen - Based on a true myth)

Just getting into your excellent book. It's accessible not too heavy but again not too light. It makes me sit up and think, 'This is new'. I've been on authonomy for five months and this book makes me realise I have still got things to learn about the site.
Well done
Backed
Christina

Just getting into your excellent book. It's accessible not too heavy but again not too light. It makes me sit up and think, 'This is new'. I've been on authonomy for five months and this book makes me realise I have still got things to learn about the site.
Well done
Backed
Christina

A book I wish I had read when I first joined the site. Too late for me now. I had to learn these things the hard way. I'm BACKING! it, tho, because it could help newbies. Burgio (Grain of Salt). P.S. you're a good writer. Now go write something that will be read by someone outside this site.

Heh, I like the chaos theory bit!
This is funny … and true. Also true that we get out what we put in.
Minor nitpicks … check for a few typos – too where you meant to, there where your meant their, and some proper names. This was entertaining. I have actually found the site very easy to navigate around.

Chapter 12 I'm confused at this point. I out of here for now. But totally appreciated Ch 1 -10.
Thx for writing this. A Zoomer

How does Chapter 11 fit? I need a transition.

Thx excellent resources. A Zoomer

Talent not TALLENT

I am new to social internet sites so I kept having to leave the book and incorporate some ideas. Talk about the readable movement (as in the teachable moment!).
I am further challenged because I just joined the Apple cult.
Name: A ZOOMER (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Book Going Out In Style

Hi, Thanks for the idea of saving comments I was truly getting confused.

Thanks for the entertaining tips in the first few chapters. After chapters 5 or 6, though, the whole thing turned into a meandering blog-like entity, so I gave up. I can see there is still useful information in there, but I don't have the time to extract it from the verbose background.
This is the first manuscript I've read on the site that's been of any value, so I'll back it with pleasure.

Dear David, The epitomy of irony. I really needed a lot of laughs. Well done!!!! Can I believe any of it?
Love, Susie :) Now, can you back my 2 books? Tit-for-tat?

AUTHONOMY for NEWBIES: Funny stuff! And informative. I cringed when I saw myself in some of the advice and then realized it's all good! :) I will keep it around to learn more.

HJ
Pearl Edda

Nudge nudge, wink wink - say no more. nuff said yeah........

Hey David this was a great read....makes me want to run like hell from this place an never look back!! I won't just because I really do appreciate brutal honesty in the small chance that it does happen on here and I try to give out on my own when possible!! You should be paid by HC for this even though that probably won't happen anytime soon bc sometimes stating what you believe isn't always deemed as the most valuable trait especially by those who you are speaking of:) Anyone should read this before pursuing this site...it should be mandatory:) good luck with this and thanks for taking the time to put it together!! Leah

David. I'm one of those stuffy Brits who tend to blather on, so I'll keep my comments short.

It's great.

Thanks for giving me a good laugh and some very useful advice.

rollingstone

David. This is terrific. Very informative and highly amusing.
Best wishes
Ian Gosling

WOW. This is all true. Fantastic work! It's extremely funny and full of good intentions. ^_^

This is freaking hilarious and yet.... helpful!!! Awesome!!

Donna Regehr
Desert Gold

LOL this is so funny yet true!! I'm slightly concerned that maybe you have been here so long you are no longer enjoying the ride... am joking! This all would have been handy when I first joined yet if I had read this I would have run a mile!! I am now, a month later, far too addicted to leave... plus I love it! Best of luck honey, this is great! kindest regards pinkcoffee 'In The Moment' & 'Chameleon'

Well David I’m almost scared to comment at all not wishing to attract a label. But here goes. 99.9% of what you write is 100% true. We all want the hallowed ‘Name in Lights’ or on a hardback. I agree with your philosophy and try to ‘play the game as honestly as I can. I read it comment and back – am I stupid to think others will do the same… probably.
That aside, damn good idea for a book
Sue Mackender
Ps hope you like Knowing Liam Riley …. Tra la la