Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

All, it's been a while since we touched base to ensure members are getting what they want of this community.

-There are parallel communities that have (a) no database of books but (b) higher frequency of chatting (and user-friendly interfaces) that our GR S&S complements [ie Facebook, Reddit, Discord.]

- GR's interface slowly is being updated, but its archaic HTML interface always seems to lag others.

- Anyway, we have a healthy group with a peaceful/chill culture that will be preserved.

Going forward:

1) New ideas or volunteers? Are there elements of this group that we do not have...that you'd like to see...and if/so would you be volunteering to help?
Perhaps other GR groups are doing something that is cool that we are not.

2) Groupread Approach:The group-read routine: the 2-month, 2-topic approach has been about the same since 2013. Should we change the frequency or approach?
BTW....I have a Pinterest page with all the past banners:

3) Any other thoughts?

Cheers, SE

I have nothing but good things to say about our group. My biggest complaint right now (and I think the main reason I haven't been as active as I used to be) is the fact that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ apparently stopped sending notification emails when people reply to a thread that I'm active in -- it's harder to stay on top of things when the only way I know somebody has replied is when I get the digest the next day. Not saying there apparently weren't good reasons for the change, but it does make things more difficult for me, at least.

I'm a lurker, primarily, so I have no concerns or needs not being met currently. :)

I have not been much active since I joined in the group. But I am a huge fan of Sword and Sorcery and anything related (for example I found a lot of similarities with sword and planet genre and I am enjoying that one too) and I am checking the group whenever I have the chance to update myself.
I do not have any suggestions regarding group's current culture-base and habits, I am just following current ones.
I especially find group's library very useful because my researches at internet actually has not yielded a similar rich result, as our library is very good imo. Now and then I notice new S&S publications thanks to this group. (though finding and reading them is another matter)
All in all I am happy with this group although I am mostly a silent follower.

I am a terrible member but this group is probably the best group/forum I'm part of online. I learn a ton here, both historical and personal, and I appreciate all of it. I acknowledge I do not contribute an equal share. I am so super impressed by Seth's continued care of us, love his banners (cool news on that Pinterest page!), and am always awed by his thorough commentary. I don't have that kind of energy - online. Get me in person over a coffee or rum and I'll wax long if not eloquent all night! Seriously, I attribute much of my lax involvement to technology: I'd say 90+% of my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ activities are conducted via my phone and this Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ app is horrendous. I have lost uncountable reviews, can't find or do much of what I try, and in frustration quit. Yet some of my favorite daily emails are the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ notices from this group.

Though I am a poor participator in Group reads, I do like our current process. I'm sure after all this time it is challenging to find themes or topics, but we can figure that out.

To all of you: thank you so much for doing all of this!

I've been exceptionally happy since I joined. I do agree that this room is somewhat quiet but I have learned a great deal and added many books to my shelf because of the recommendations and info provided here. I found DMR because of you guys! I'm a 'new' fan of KEW because of you guys! (wow!) I woulda ne'er heard about the AppendixN book or The King Must Fall KS if not for you guys. I know there is more and I continue to appreciate the leads provided here.

Being a slow reader (meaning I dont always read every day and sometimes weeks go by) I don't have much to comment on. Heck, I'm still reading KEW Night Winds from a Group Read many months ago! (AND LOVING IT). I'm self employed and don't carve out enough time to read regularly. I've not yet read my Conan! Or Fafhrd!! Geez man. And since I've been slowly painting my Dungeon Degenerates Hand of Doom miniatures
() I find that painting tends to take up my 'reading slot'. I think maybe I just need to be tougher with myself to read more.

I enjoy the conversations here but typically lack the knowledge to chime in since I haven't read much S&S compared to the high fantasy (80s/90's) that I started with as a teen. I consider this more of a 'specialty room' and I'm happy it's here.

Jason M wrote: "I am a terrible member but this group is probably the best group/forum I'm part of online. I learn a ton here, both historical and personal, and I appreciate all of it. I acknowledge I do not contr..."

Thanks Jason! Lol. I've been an admirer of Rogue Blades/All-Waltz-Publications for over a decade. I've often thought, "where the heck does Jason get all that energy to round up all these thematic anthologies"?

Actually. I learned about Return of the Sword: An Anthology of Heroic Adventure thru this group... and I'm thrilled to hear folks like @Brian who found DMR via this community. Connecting readers to new authors and publishers is a great joy.

Cheers to all the silent lurkers.

This group is full of self-deprecating, quiet learners... who love heroic fiction.

Semi-active member: I’m happy with the group. Any complaints I have are technology related. Like Jason, I am primarily participating through the app, and the app is horrendous.

Thank you for the good hard work. I don’t always participate in the group reads, as my reading time is limited and precious, but I often lurk in the group reads I do not participate in.

I love that this group exists. I'm happy to help in any way.

I too am a semi-active member of the group. I very much enjoy voting on the group reads, but I'm often reading something else at the time or get distracted by other projects I have ongoing. But this group is exceptionally helpful and well informed; I often find out about upcoming publications of interest and fiction writing submission opportunities via this group. And yes, the mobile app needs work, but that is a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ issue and is not a direct problem of the group. Keep up the great work: this is an awesome place to gather!

Oh, and quick follow-up -- they seem to have updated the notification system: Now I do get notification emails when people comment, but they no longer include the actual comment -- just a notice that somebody posted in the thread.

@Joseph, the GR notifications can be evil. they work a little different on the App than the computer, I think. Good luck with trying to tweak it. I've missed the comments being posted on my reviews for yrs....even now, I think I get a notification if someone likes the review....but not when comments are added.

Stan, Clint, Jason. you all rock

I enjoy the group and the group reads in particular. It’s been a good source of information about lesser-known sword & sorcery books, especially more recent ones. I do wish that Amazon didn’t neglect developing the community side of the site, though. Both the web and app versions of the community interface and forums are pretty primitive.

I'm a bad member. Not active at all, but I do read all the comments that come across my screen. I appreciate this group for its low-key enthusiasm and utter lack of drama. I need to be more active, really.

But, things are well, albeit harried. On a deadline and fighting with my stoopid brain (situational depression coupled with living in a state with no discernible mental health apparatus *even with* insurance, much less without). But, so long as I can medicate myself with REH and Tolkien, I'm good :)

To be clear, I don't think we have any bad members.

Well, unless your hobby is making yourself a woman suit out of real women or something.

If you had to pin point a problem with the group it would be participation or lack thereof. Which honestly isn’t a problem. In the few years I’ve been in the group participation has ebbed and flowed usually in conjunction with the influx of new members. I personally used the site more when I first joined and have fallen lax in commenting or participating b/c of the many reasons listed by others above. Lately I’ve gravitated more to FB and the many groups found there b/c of ease of use and the varied options for posting. Regardless I faithfully return here to update the status of what I’m reading and to review, and also to see what’s new with the group.

Seth does a excellent job as moderator, and is always sharing great topics and releases with the group. He is the driving force keeping the cogs and gears turning. Without the participation from him and a few others the silence would be complete.

I absolutely love the lack of drama in this group. I also love the accepting and chill nature of everyone I’ve interacted with.

I appreciate the feedback Richard. Feels good to confirm that folks are good with a chill but solid group.

three cheers to low drama!

btw, Scott Oden gets high marks for being self-deprecating.


Like Phil and several others have noted, we persist even as Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ interface lags.
Every few months, some changes occur, but they seem to be just throwing interns at upgrades every other season.
Sigh. Not sure what we can do about that.

Richard wrote: "If you had to pin point a problem with the group it would be participation or lack thereof. Which honestly isn’t a problem. In the few years I’ve been in the group participation has ebbed and flowe..."

Just to add my thanks and appreciation to Seth - he's been the driving force from the start and his approach is exemplary. Don't think this is acknowledged enough.

I'm pretty new and I must admit the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ interface is the main reason for my swiftly becoming more of a lurker. That said, the interface isn't the group, and the group seems pretty cool to me!

Heck, just the useful information, as both a reader and a writer, in my first few pokes around older threads made me realize this is a place worth spending time in.

All good for me. I get involved or stay on fringes depending on how busy I am. I've been involved in moving for almost a year now and it took up much of my time.