Silk

This is definitely one of the problems of a group like this. Lowering the number of people submitting per week and raising the word limit (which we've actually done once already--and remember, too, we're not too strict about the 5k maximum) really only gives us the same problem from a different angle. Since there usually seem to be about a dozen people active at any one time (50+ people on the actual list) that means that most people participating get to submit at least every two weeks. If we raised the word limit to 15k and lowered number of people submitting per week to, say, three people (it's five right now), then if the same number of people stay active most people will only be able to submit once a month. I would be open to trying something new if the majority of the group agrees, but it seems to me that if we went with this approach, people would ultimately only be able to get about the same amount of material through: more material at once, with a longer wait in between. James's idea about the dropbox might work in addition to what we already do: that way, people who are hoping to push material through faster can get less detailed critiques (but that may work if you just want to catch major issues, especially if you're submitting first drafts). Other people have used beta readers as well as the RE group. You might also consider providing a partial outline or summary and only submitting the chapters you most want feedback on ... things like that. Personally, I've found this group most helpful for short fiction rather than novels for this very reason--but I recognize that only helps people who also write short fiction. In terms of how long it takes to get longer works through the group, I'm not sure there's any real way to address it without changing the structure of weekly submissions altogether. I'd be a bit reluctant to change that (though, again, open to experimentation if a lot of people feel strongly) because it seems to work pretty well insofar as ensuring that everyone gets a decent amount of feedback each week, and I know a lot of people like having even a soft deadline. In general the weekly discussion thing seems to have worked pretty well, but it's definitely a compromise.

As far as I can recall I've always been able to edit the titles of posts, I assumed because I'm a moderator of the forum. Thoughts, everyone? I just realized, too, that modifying titles is a bit counter-intuitive: you can't modify the title of a topic by opening the topic and editing the post; you have to modify the title from the main forum.

I definitely wouldn't be averse to critiquing a few outlines. At least, once I hit that mythical time where I'm done this darn degree.

Sounds good. I'll put you down for the ninth.

Oh, haha, so I see. Well, you weren't the only one who submitted early this week so I wouldn't worry about it too much XP

Is July 2 still good for you, then? We're up to four people for the upcoming Monday, if so. (Room for one more.) ETA: Four, because a new member just PMed me and has stuff to submit. I promise I can count ... on a good day, anyways.

I'll put you down for July 2

Welcome back!

Yes, there's still space. The length shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for confirming! It's probably more important to let me know if you decide you can't submit, as that way I can give the slot to somebody else. We're up to three for the 25th as I just got a PM from a new member.

No problem at all

Done!

I'll put you in tentatively for now--we're up to four including you, so we're okay for the moment. If we end up with a couple more people wanting in this week I may ask you to do just that, though. Thanks

Welcome back, Guen. There's still space for the upcoming week, shall I pencil you in?

Mkay. I'll put you in tentatively for now. If we have a whole lot of people wanting to submit this week I may ask you to wait a week if you don't mind.

It's not presumptuous at all. Go right ahead.

Hey, stranger! So we're four for today, then. Hopefully everyone gets a decent number of replies given the quietness of things lately

Sounds good! That's three so far.

Upcoming Monday? You bet.

Go for it.

Please do!

Not at all, it's been a slow few weeks

You should. Go right ahead!

Eat your heart out.

Please do. It's shaping up to be a slow week