Something I just learned....
@crimsonladybug (3112)
United States
April 9, 2009 11:44pm CST
Well, I probably already knew it, just forgot. Anywho, I am a Category Editor and I just turned in my first round of feature suggestions for the "Holidays" category. David, the Editor in charge of us CE's, responded to my suggestions by telling me that a Source with the name "WriteonMom" (sorry if that's someone on here too) wasn't eligible to... something... Here:
"I can’t feature something by a Source named 'WriteonMom.' All pen names need to sound like real names to qualify for featuring."
So... I wanted to share this information with everyone I can find. If you have been wondering why you never get a feature story and you are using a pen name similar to this one, that's why.
2 people like this
8 responses
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
10 Apr 09
That's why I tend to stay with my real name when writting. What is your AC page link, there are a few of us on here to help each other out with page views and mylot discussion. Here is mine. http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/42897/jeff_rogers.html
3 people like this
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
11 Apr 09
Great! I'll check it out!
Here's mine:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/2991/d_gabrielle_jensen.html
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Cool. I'll subscribe to you and start reading 1 of 93 articles.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
11 Apr 09
I don't think my articles are good enough to be featured. Plus all my articles are Display Only. I doubt AC will give priority to Display Only when there are so many Exclusive articles.
How long are the featured articles placed on the "privilege" position? Beside more page views, is there any extra earnings for the featured article?
1 person likes this
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
11 Apr 09
Really, no. Just the extra page views. But every little bit helps, right?
As far as Display vs. Exclusive, we (the CEs) don't know which articles have been submitted which way. We just go through the published articles in our category and pick out at least five that we believe warrant extra public attention. We can pick more than five but at least five. So someone who only publishes for Display is just as likely to be recommended as someone who always gives exclusive rights.
Personally, when I was going through, I didn't pay any attention to the Source. I didn't read bylines or even profile bios. I just read the articles for voice, content clarity and writing skill. Which is apparently something I need to do in the future 
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
10 Apr 09
I use my real name on writing sites. First, I wouldn't write about anything that I wouldn't want someone in the professional field to read. Secondly, I think that someday I may need to show these writing samples to someone, and it's just easier than if I use some complicated name masking who I am.
It doesn't surprise me that Associated Content has this rule, but I think that others would be surprised to learn that. It doesn't sound professional, even if the article has the most sterling prose around. I hope a lot of people will read this and realize they are doing themselves a disservice by using made-up names on writing sites.
Good discussion!
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
11 Apr 09
That's odd. Maybe I am thinking of something different because I have had a few of my articles show up on the main page and on the "most comments" and "most viewed" today sections. Maybe the feature thing you are talking abut is different. Even so, excluding someone because of the pen name they pick seems a little silly. they could be passing up on some real talent.
1 person likes this
@oscar6 (1938)
• United States
18 Jun 11
Yes I have learned this before. I think that its rather silly that you cant use made up names to write on there and get featured. I use a made up name so I probably wont ever get featured on the main page. I dont really find this fair since I would rather not have my name plastered all over the internet since I have so many articles that I have written.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Hmm, okay then. More like a psuedo, like authors use. I don't do Associated Content that much but it's good to know. I appreciate the information. I wonder if it's true for other sites?
