I wonder if anyone can help me? When I first put my book chapters on the website, they were fairly raw, but I wanted to dip a toe. I have been delighted with the reviews which have been so helpful. As a result I have made changes and the revised edition has now received positive reviews.

My dilemma is, my ratings include the less favourable earlier reviews, which would take time to weed out every 5 reviews, and are now holding my work back.

Is it the norm to take the whole piece off the website and start again? Is this OK? Can I put it back with the same title? I realise it would have to start again if I did this. Is this the best way?

As a newbie I would be grateful for a lead here from you more experienced authors, please.

There is nothing to stop you from reloading the story as a "new" story with 'revised' or 'rewritten' or 'v2.0' in the title and allocating all future reading credits to it ,

BUT

as you say yourself here, it's the REVIEWS, not the ratings, that have allowed you to improve the story. Focus on that and making the story still better. I personally would advise against investing too much in getting into the TT as that way lies madness - you'll start to make changes that you probably wouldn't otherwise because you think it will get you higher ratings and a spot in the TT. And no matter what you do, every so often you'll get a less than positive review, regardless of everything. That is unavoidable. If you get two close together will you reload the story a third time? A fourth, if that doesn't work? You can see already how easily improving your story becomes a very poor second to getting good ratings.

So I say hang the ratings, read the comments, and take the advice/guidance offered when you think it's appropriate (and especially if it chimes with something you yourself have identified as a possible weakness).

The TT is just gravy. Enjoy your writing and learn, don't get distracted by the shiny baubles. With respect to recent TTs I've noticed a less enthusiastic tone to the professional crits, so we shouldn't unthinkingly presume they are definitively the best ten pieces on here. There's some brilliant stuff on here which has never been anywhere near the TT.

Which is more important to you - making your piece the very best that you can, or getting into the TT? There should really only be one answer to that....

My story, 'An Encounter' - as improved by YWOers - is available in this anthology:

Speech Bubble Magazine Best Of Issues 1, 2 & 3 ebook

I've just done the same. I completely took off my old version, therefore eliminating myself from the book of the year competition. I'm much more keen to see how my new version fares with readers, than in winning a competition that may or may not lead to another short but pleasant enough critique. On turning fact into fiction: African Violet blogpost on Sue Howe's site: http://howesue.wordpress.com/

No, I've kept it the same - basically because it is going to be the title (irrespective of its post-YWO journey) ...

...some people put "revised" or "draft Z" which lets people know they've worked on it.

I think it all depends on what you want out of this site. On my first attempt, I was just pleased people weren't screaming, "don't give up the day job". Now I'm much more serious about getting a genuine reaction to its quality as a story.

all the best On turning fact into fiction: African Violet blogpost on Sue Howe's site: http://howesue.wordpress.com/