mati:
I think that authors may prefer to know how their newest story is appreciated, rather than waiting three years until the first one hits the story by lucky dip.
That's true. I think, though, that readers have, and should use, multiple means of picking out stories (latest, searches, favorite authors, lucky dip, latest commented). They will be rewarded by finding gems they would otherwise miss. And as much as I love getting a comment on my latest story, I appreciate even more receiving a comment on a story that I feared was merely gathering dust on the Library shelves.