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Subject: One Pending = No Other Submissions

Posted by: woodychandler
Date: Jan 18 23

As a new Gold member, I have a problem with the way Quiz submission approvals are handled. I understand that you may have a backlog awaiting approval, but since a) you are not taking on new "administrators(?)" with approval-level authority and b) are not allowing for more than one pending Quiz in the queue, I am questioning the value-added for me. Please address being allowed to have more than one pending Quiz in the queue at any given time or authorize more administrators.

15 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
kyleisalive


player avatar
Hi woodychandler, GMship does not apply to authoring. Unfortunately, all authors need to go through the same processes and wait in the same line because our editors have to take the time to review them.

Your quiz was submitted yesterday and it is not uncommon for a quiz to wait for less than a day for review. It's also your first quiz, so there's no knowing (on our end) of the extent to which it will need to be edited. If there are substantial edits to be made based on our site's guideline requirements, it's preferable (for us and you) to receive those corrections to be able to fine-tune your second quiz and so on, otherwise you'll likely find yourself receiving the same requests for fixes over and over again, extending the amount of time it takes your quizzes to get online.

Some authors are, by all means, able to submit multiple quizzes at a time. Please keep in mind, however, that this occurs when there's an understanding that they are able to handle multiple on the go without much need for editing/correction (ie. not their first quiz) and that those quizzes are still subject to wait times. That's just the nature of it. Adding editors, especially in some categories, will not necessarily change that fact. As all editors are volunteers, there are no set hours we need to be chained to the computer to go through the queues. Generally, you should see turnaround on your quiz quite quickly.

Also, welcome to the authoring side and congrats on your first submission. The first one's the toughest! :)

Reply #1. Jan 18 23, 11:30 AM
woodychandler star


player avatar
This is the message to which I am referring:
"Sorry, but you may only have one new quiz submitted to the editors at a time. You already have one such quiz. Please wait until it gets accepted and then submit this quiz. Thank you."

Reply #2. Jan 18 23, 11:31 AM
woodychandler star


player avatar
"Some authors are, by all means, able to submit multiple quizzes at a time. Please keep in mind, however, that this occurs when there's an understanding that they are able to handle multiple on the go without much need for editing/correction (ie. not their first quiz) and that those quizzes are still subject to wait times."

I can assure you that with a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in English Literature and an M.A.T. in the Teaching of English, coupled with a decade-long career as a high school English teacher, I am well-versed in grammar, syntax and the creation of multiple-choice Q&As. I would like to be considered for the fast-track status mentioned in the response alluded to above.

Reply #3. Jan 18 23, 11:36 AM
kyleisalive


player avatar
I'm not here to debate anyone's credentials. With your history and qualifications, none of this process should take all too long. This being said, our site does have some guidelines which might stray a bit from typical academic writing-- our need to use quotation marks around formal titles instead of italics/underlining, for instance.

Keep in mind as well that we don't allow URLs to other sites in quizzes, as these can lead to malicious destinations or go defunct over time. Generally our info sections need to elaborate on the info in one's own words, but certain sections may have certain specifications.


FWIW - I also happen to have a Hon. B. A. in English. :)


A reminder: there is no 'Fast Track'. If your quizzes are coming in with minimal to no errors, then it should not be a concern. We just have no idea until we're actually working with you on your submissions, and this being the internet, we can't really approach people by their word. The proof is in the pudding!

Reply #4. Jan 18 23, 12:22 PM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
If you are a good quiz author, you will find that multiple submission capability will come to you quickly - however, it's not something you can get on the first or second quiz.

All authoring activity is recorded and the result of that is an author rating. This is not an arbitrary rating, but calculated similar to a credit score - you get positive entries for a quiz that makes it online first try or for one that needs more than one try but where there is also clear progress in addressing the issues. Of course making an Editor Choice quiz is even bigger a plus. Negative entries are given for major errors, rules violations (plagiarism) or not working well with editors.

It takes a few quizzes even if you were the best author ever - in fact only a very small percentage of our authors ever reach this status. You'll find that response times are pretty quick anyway on average and that you won't need the ability even if you plan to submit a quiz per week or more (and if you're on that rate, you'll most likely get it soon enough anyway!)



Reply #5. Jan 18 23, 1:13 PM
kyleisalive


player avatar
To reiterate as well, none of this is with the intent to hinder people. If there are any issues in your submissions, we want to help you out and the easiest way to do that is to focus on one submission at a time so that you're not making the same mistakes on subsequent quizzes.

It helps to keep in mind that we do receive a good number of first-time authors who are specifically not qualified from an academic or professional standpoint (and we're very welcoming to that!), so regardless of peoples' qualifications, we bring the same approach to early authoring until track records can form. Some people need more help than others.

Reply #6. Jan 18 23, 1:25 PM
rossian


player avatar
The editing process on Fun Trivia is not just a matter of checking grammar and so on. A well written quiz (always a pleasure to see) may still have issues which need to be dealt with, such as not adhering to guidelines for the site in general, or the specific category..

At the top of the topic list you'll find the 'Editors discussing quizzes' link. Number four deals with the queues and editing process, which throws more light on how it works.

I'd also make the point that many editors are authors too, and know what it's like waiting for a quiz to be approved. We go through the editing process with our own quizzes and even we do, on occasions, get a quiz sent back for revision.

Reply #7. Jan 19 23, 3:44 AM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
By the way, I have been an editor since 2009 and have made use of the ability to submit multiple quizzes at once maybe like five times. And one of those was to send an entire 5-quiz series I wrote as one bigger piece for editing in one block so that the category editor could release them at a steady pace without needing a lot of back and forth :)



Reply #8. Jan 19 23, 4:42 AM
Catreona star


player avatar
As an author, it never occurred to me to question the process, although I, too, have a B.A. and an M.A. in English. My fiction, nonfiction and poetry have appeared in small press periodicals for years. Yet, for myself, I recognized that quiz writing is a different skill that needs to be worked at and developed. As I see it, that means studying and following guidelines, paying attention to editors' suggestions and maintaining good relations with editors and fellow players.

The path has not been smooth. I've made major mistakes along the way, but the editors have been sympathetic and very helpful.

Now I have an Editor's Choice quiz and a number of blue stars. While I haven't tried to submit more than one quiz at a time, it does seem that I'm allowed to have more quizzes in my works in progress list than in earlier years. Most important, though, I have the good will of editors and fellow players. When you come right down to it, that's what it's all about here in Quizziland.

Reply #9. Jan 19 23, 3:16 PM
WesleyCrusher


player avatar
Without spoiling anything, let's say your author rating is pretty good, Cat. A well earned status over a long career! :)



Reply #10. Jan 19 23, 5:39 PM
Catreona star


player avatar
Thanks, Wes.

Reply #11. Jan 19 23, 9:36 PM
VBookWorm


player avatar
Kyle, you are so right. The first quiz is always the hardest. My first quiz is called 'The Three Musketeers' (I know, simply that.) The very kind and supportive editor had to reject it six times before it was finally placed online.

Reply #12. Jan 30 23, 3:26 PM
lordprescott
Yeah, my entry into the quiz-writing world was not (is not?) smooth. Sometimes it's just a little thing you overlook, and sometimes it's a collection of many things that need correcting. There have been times (though very few) that I haven't understood requested changes, but for the vast majority of the time I can understand exactly what the editors objected to. I am by no means a veteran in quiz writing, but things are getting easier now!

Reply #13. Jan 31 23, 6:26 AM
Terry
Head Honcho


player avatar
I have no problem with a newer author requesting "fast track", but you need at least a couple of quizzes online so that editors can say "yep, this author is totally ready to be let loose".

Some of our requirements and limits may seem a bit frustrating, but you must keep in mind that we have zero knowledge of an author's abilities when they submit their first quiz. 20 years of experience tells us that the average author certainly needs time to get used to how we do things.

I hope you are enjoying authoring at FT! While you can have only one submitted at the current time, you can certainly go ahead and start creating other quizzes, and submit them when you're able.





Reply #14. Jan 31 23, 11:00 AM
Terry
Head Honcho


player avatar
Oh, and I want to share this for any authors frustrated about how things are done here, or for those who are upset by getting a quiz sent back:

I made FunTrivia. I run it, own it, created all of the code for it. I also have a degree and a strong English background.

I occasionally write quizzes to test out new features or illustrate a new format...

Well... The last two quizzes I submitted were rejected on their first submits. My last one, just a couple of months ago, was rejected twice. Minor changes had to be made to maintain consistency across the categories I submitted in.

Quiz-send-backs are common and happen to absolutely everyone, so please never take them personally.

We're a meritocracy in the most absolute sense. It doesn't matter if you are a GM, a first time author, an editor in a different category, or the owner of FunTrivia: the rules apply to all.



Reply #15. Jan 31 23, 11:08 AM


15 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
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