#119 - Not A Book

On StoryGraph, every user has the ability to create a book in the app.

Sometimes our users add in records for non-traditional reading material, such as fanfiction or literary magazines.

Recently the author of some fanfiction wrote in requesting that we delete the user-added record for one of their works.

As a policy, we do not remove listings on the request of authors. However, it became clear, especially after a bunch of tweets from the fanfiction community, that it was time for us to handle these types of records differently.
 

On the one hand, our users love the ability to add in whatever they want and we didn't want to get into the business of giving authors the power to delete users' data — including reviews, pages tracked, reading goal and challenge progress, active buddy reads, and more— and prevent future readers from discussing the content.

On the other hand, something like fanfiction isn’t the same as a regular book. It’s a purely non-commercial hobby and, as developers of a book tracking product, we didn't want such records appearing in recommendations or showing up in search the same way as official books.

So, after several hours of conversation, including gathering feedback from fanfiction authors and readers, Rob and I have fleshed out a new “not a book” concept and hope to have it live in the app soon! 😁
 

I also had a lovely time visiting Abbie in the North of England, finally meeting her in person! 🥰
 

Apart from implementing the new "Not A Book" concept, we hope to start working on our upcoming improvements to audiobook tracking and stats.

If you follow us on Instagram or Twitter, be on the lookout for any polls or surveys there! 😁
 

I'm almost done with Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing and it's as brilliant as everybody says it is!  It's also been great to buddy read it with one of my closest friends from university. 😊
 

Have a great week,

Nadia

P.S. Know somebody who's an avid reader or would enjoy following along with this journey? Please do forward this email to them! Thank you. :-)
 

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