A call for help · 8:47pm Nov 9th, 2014
First of all, this blog relates to The Royal Guard, so if you have no interest in that group or its activities, just ignore this post.
For everyone else, the nutshell version is that TRG is on life support. This problem has been getting worse for months, ever since a bunch of the original members decided they had better things to do about six months ago and left with hardly a word, leaving nothing to fill the gaps in their wake. Right now, it's the worst it's ever been, and we're having to consider the possibility of shutting down.
Now, I believe in the work the group does. I believe in providing useful feedback to authors of all stripes and promoting the best works in the fandom, especially when they're relatively unknown. All of our stalwarts will tell you the same thing: it's a labor of love.
The problem is that there just aren't enough of us left to do the job, and many who are still on board have other obligations, mostly school-related, that keep them from contributing. We need to get more people involved, especially folks with less hectic schedules.
If you know your way around a good story and think you might be interested in joining the Guard, let me know in a comment or PM. If you have questions about the way the group works, our standards, the qualifications we look for, or anything else along those lines, I'd be happy to answer them, whether you're interested in joining or not. Even if no one is interested in applying, a bit of community outreach never hurts.
I'll be back in your feeds sometime in the next few days with a new Badfic Slaughterhouse. Til next time!
Sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, between RCL and doing my own reviews, I don't think I'd have a prayer of being able to find time to help you guys out, but I hope you can find some more volunteers.
I'll throw my hat in for helping. I won't be able to do all that much on the weekdays during this winter, as I usually don't get home until past 6pm because of skiing practice, and I've got to do my homework the rest of the time. That being said, I still have the school day to look at things, and I haven't read more than a fic a week for the last year, so some motivation to read more would be nice. I'd certainly be able to help on weekends and for the next month until skiing gets into full swing.
2584578
We still have to be sure the people reviewing these stories know their stuff, so you'll have to follow the usual application procedure. I hope to see yours soon!
2584685
Already in the mail
Sorry to hear about this. I like it when people try to spread the word for good stories. Sounds like you may want to scale things back a bit while manpower is at a low ebb.
I'll admit I'm curious and would like to help out, but what exactly would I be doing if I were to join you?
2585473
The nutshell version is that people submit stories to us, and we read them (or at least enough of them to make an informed decision) and put the best ones in our site blogs.
People with especially strong mechanical skills can review stories at Tier 1, which is a basic mechanical check to see if there are any systemic issues that warrant rejection. Tier 2 focuses more on subjective elements—and consequently requires prereaders with strong knowledge in that area—so each decision requires a consensus between multiple PRs.
There are three possible outcomes. In the first case, rejection, a PM is sent to the author explaining why the fic was rejected. In the second case, approval, we inform the author, and the story gets featured in the next spotlight post. Lastly, if a story is almost there, but needs a little touching up, we ask the author for a few revisions, and once the issues have been cleared up, the story is moved to the 'Approved' list.
I hope that answers your question, but if there's anything else you're curious about, ask away.
2585624 So you're looking for people with great grammar skills and the like? Huh... I probably don't have that sort expertise...
I'm considering helping, but I fear I would become another name on the list that does nothing. That sort of happened with me and Twilight's Library. I'll consider this, but I can make no promises.
Sorry, bro. I wish I could say something more definite.
-Lumino
2587601
Raising awareness is just as important to me as getting new names on the roster. If you know anyone who would be a good fit, I'd appreciate you sending them our way.
And if you ever decide you'd like to join the group, assuming you make it through the application procedure, having an infrequent contributor is better than not having one at all. If we had twenty active members who all reviewed one or two stories per week, our backlog would disappear in short order.
With winter break imminent, can I rejoin to look over the Tier 1 stories?
2603158
Once you're in, you're in for good. You can come back any time you like, and we'd be happy for the extra manpower.
2603165 My winter break is from about mid-December through January, so once finals are done, I'd be glad to help again.