Critters^TM Workshop

Lots of folks ask me for advice on how to handle absences from Critters. You make the call, but there's a lot of flexibility here when it comes to quiting (or going inactive) vs. going on email hiatus vs. zeroing your counter.

There are a few basic reasons someone visits this page:

• You want to reduce the amount of email you get from Critters
• You need to arrange an extended absence from Critters
• You need to arrange a short absence from Critters
• You feel you're too far behind to ever catch up
• You're absolutely sure you want to quit the group for good

To accommodate these arrangements, we have a flexible array of options to suit your needs (& there's a form below to do the deed once you've chosen):

• If you want to reduce email load (and don't want to lose all your existing critique credits), then you want to set your email preferences to "0" mss. and No emailed critiques. Your participation ratio will decline if you go away, but that's what the 75% is all about -- the 25% was designed to cover absences if you otherwise send in one critique per week. You can "stock up" before you go, or you can raise the ratio rapidly on your return by doing a bunch of critiques (of current stories, or old ones with author permission). Set your preferences back any time.

• If you're taking a short break from Critters and don't mind losing your critique points, the best option is to set your preferences to no email like above, then, when you return, use the same form below to 'zero' or 'reset' your counter. (But check when you first return to make sure you're actually below 75%, otherwise it isn't worthwhile).

  However, note that if you fail to do at least one critique in any calendar month, you are subject to being inactivated.

• If you plan to be gone more than a month, but want to keep up with the goings on in Critters, then use the form below to set yourself inactive. While inactive, you'll still get the weekly email notes, but no manuscripts and your counter is set to zero until you want to return, when it starts counting fresh again. You can remain inactive for as long as you want; years, etc. reactivate when you're ready.

• If you feel you're just too far behind to catch up, then have me reset/zero your counter. Acts like you just joined today; ramifications are that any manuscript in the queue goes to the end as if you just sent it today, you lose all your credits, and you must have at least one credit to forfeit -- if you're already at zero or below, you'll have to do one to make up for it, which is to say you'll get a "-1" credit.

• If you just want absolutely nothing more to do with Critters (for now -- you're welcome back any time), or you're taking a hiatus and know that your current email address won't remain valid, then you should use the form below to entirely quit and rejoin when you get back.

  Since Critters' goal is to keep people as active as possible, between these choices you should find something to suit you. When in doubt, send extra critiques! :-)

  Your name:
  Email address:
  Password: [Forgot your password?] (Unncessary if you're currently inactive/amici)
  I want to... Reset/Zero My Counter       Go Inactive       Completely Quit       [or set my email preferences]
  Comments to Andrew Burt, the Critter Captain:

  Your request will be processed as soon as aburt's software minions get to it; you'll receive an email confirmation when that happens.

  Other comments/questions/etc. to the cap'n.