since we're all talking a03 lately...

[marguerite_26]

I haven't posted in a few days, which is odd for me who generally can’t shut up. I've been writing a lot and I suppose I've been feeling a bit introverted. I do have a few recs saved up from the past week's reading which I hope to post tomorrow.

In the meantime, I saw vaysh11 and a few others do this A03 meme and I thought it was interesting. I haven't been on A03 long, so it's odd to look at this a try to gain any perspective on stuff that's only been up for a handful of weeks but w/e. I'm bored.

My top ten fics on A03 ranked by hit count.


Protecting the Pendragon Lineage (Merlin/Arthur)
All in the Quest for Knowledge (Merlin/Arthur)
In the Service of the King (Merlin/Arthur)
Let me be your canvas (Merlin/Arthur)
Not Gold or Riches (Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine)
The Thorn Bush Incident (Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine)
The Sample (Merlin/Arthur)
Pack Instinct (Merlin/Arthur)
Return from the Isle (Merlin/Arthur)
The Pet Party (Merlin/Arthur)
link to the list


My deep thoughts
Not an HP fic in the bunch. LOL. Not by a long shot. So. Easy conclusion there. Lots of Merlin readers on A03, not so much with HP. Also HP that is a rare pair? *crickets* LOL Though the reply I have received on my HP fics is awesome, so this meme fails by only looking at hit count where there is no comparison but the hit to kudos ratio is better (I think, I haven't done the math).
Other easy conclusion: TAGS MATTER. While I quite liked my fic Protecting the Pendragon Lineage, I would never claim it was my best piece of writing. It was smut written for a round of kinkspiration which had a ton of warnings. However that ton of warnings translated to a ton of tags on A03. tags like knotting and Master/slave and object insertion which I know attract people who search for a particular kink and don't care which fandom it’s in. That fic has almost three times the number of hits of any other fic I have posted.

So…
1) Knotting == hits.
2) Tags draw people you don't expect to your fic.
3) And Merlin folks should be grateful for their hit counts because not all fandoms get so much love



btw - I still have an a03 code, if anyone wants to start posting there.

Comments

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

nods, Yep, I think because of the tags/search function certain themes or kinks will be easier to find and thus get reads. I need to set my calendar to tell me to do this again in 6 months :)

[lilyginny27.livejournal.com]

I totally agree tags matter. Cause if you like a fic w a kink in it, and you see the fic is tagged w that kink, it's easier to go and read more of that kink because hot damn the tag's right there all begging to be clicked. It's like winning the porn lottery. :D

When I first started reading at AO3, it was off a link that took me straight to the Merlin/Arthur tag which I immediately bookmarked. I didn't even know they hosted other fandoms for months.

[monicaop.livejournal.com]

:), I wish I was a writer, then I'll ask you for the account, I signed up for one, so I can give feedback easier, but is up until June or July :D.

Anyway, I hope you are doing amazing!!! I'm looking forward to anything you might write or rec!! :) tons of hugs!!!

[tari_sue]

Is the code still going begging? I wouldn't say no if no one else want it…

I thought the knotting fic was aces, don't knock it :D

[katelinmr.livejournal.com]

D: You're chasing all the Harry Potter readers away!

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I find that AO3 has certain fandoms that are being followed there. My Star Wars stories gets hardly any attention on AO3 but lots on fanfiction.net. So the HP lack isn't surprising.

I never thought that tags would be useful. I may have to rethink how I tag things.

Great list. I went and reread some of them. :D