Wondering what the communities thoughts were on having multiple chapters ready but releasing over time to maximize front page time on updates (not new stories) When writing, I like to complete 10-20 chapters befote publishing as I usually go back through them, reinforcing early chapters to better support later points I hadn't planned on then. So I run into the same obvious issue - its definitely smarter and self serving to release these one at a time every few hours or daily to get the most potential readers attention. However it seems better for community if any reader starts story but enjoys the entirety of it less because of that pacing.
Personally I like to release chapters as I write them. Sometimes if I go on a tear that means four or five chapters at a go, but usually it ends up being a drip feed of single chapters as I tend write in short intense bursts. My preference is releasing multiple chapters at once so that the readers have something to really sink their teeth into but you have an excellent point about the "front page game". Once a story leaves that front page activity on it falls off a cliff. In your situation I'd say why not split the difference? Release 5 at a time or so. Best of both worlds?
Fall off depends a lot on what category you have a story in since clicking on a category shows you the last stories in that section. I have had people like chapters hours or even a day after I have updated because it was still on the front page of a category. Some categories move faster then others with some being added to hourly while others are weekly and the less popular ones are monthly. Fan fiction for example has at least seven active stories daily that are fighting for views.
Don't forget that people who bookmarked your chapter also get notifications. I publish as is comes out because I sometimes read a lone chapter and get insight for a draft branching out from there.
I think it is best to start with at least five decent sized chapters when you launch. So that people can at least get a good sense of the story. From there I think if you have more than five chapters backed up then maybe release one every couple of days.
I try not to leave the readers with blue balls, so I only publish once I've got some sex going. On the other hand, I'm kind of a likes-whore, so I only ever release one chapter a day, so that each one gets enough likes by itself... I wonder which would be better, to release everything I have at once or stagger it out...
Also take the time to work inside other stories, especially the big ones. The updates from other people along with your own can lead to plenty of constant updates. I like to search by oldest story (mine as well) and sometimes just take an idea written and just flesh it out differently. It gets something forgotten back on the front and makes it interesting.
