Storywrite is a large site, with a large member base. On average, there are no less than one hundred stories posted per day. People should read/comment on four for every one they post, but that rarely ever happens. Maybe making it part of your site etiquette, it might bring you more reads....?
Now, let's look at some ways to get you those comments!
Commenting
One of the biggest hints in getting someone to comment on you is to comment on them. Leaving a well thought out, well written comment goes a long way to bringing someone to read you.
But... how do you comment? 
There are a few columns on the subject that are great. Some deal with poetry, others stories, and a lot of the information crosses over very easily for both.
- How To Critique Poetry - a column from our sister site, Allpoetry that lists some very basic and easily used things to look for.
- The Diplomatic Critiquer - this used to appear in a link above every comment box a few years back. I wish it still did.
- If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say, Don't Say Anything At All - an excellent column on how to both give, and receive critiques. (they're not as painful as they seem)
Giving in depth comments on other's works will usually bring that person over to read your works. If you don't comment on anyone else, then no one will really want to comment on yours
Commenting also gives you points, which you can use to feature your stories through:
- Featured stories - Using points you've earned by commenting (or bought), you 'buy' a number of clicks. Featured only gives you views... not a guarantee of comments. Click on the 'get more reads' at the bottom of the Featured box to get started!
- Shameless Promotion - This is a place to "pitch" your work to interested readers. Adding a promotion costs ten points, and your promotion will stay active until fifty others are added. The most recent show up on the right side of every screen.
- Rewards - Stories by recent authors who want reviews. On the story page, click on the 'View Options' on the right of the page. There is a feature or reward option. This costs an average of 5 points per reward. Unlike Featured, the points do not get used up per view...only per comment.
Groups
There are groups that you can join that specifically deal with giving and receiving comments. If you're in a group, you can't send a note asking that people read your story. That would also be spamming, and tends to greatly annoy the other group members (unless it's a specific group for comments, and one of their 'rules' says that you can send group IMs).
Contests
Entering contests will usually bring more than a few reads and comments to you. Plus, you get to meet other people and see what they write.
The Chatterbox
In the CB, you can ask if someone wants to trade comments/reads with you. After that, it has to be taken to IM so that no titles, or distinguishing features are named. Although, if you're constantly asking for trading reads, then it could be considered spamming/promoting.
You cannot
IM people and ask that they read. That would be spamming. This would also include IMing your friends... they receive a system message when you post a story, so there's no need to IM them.
Solicit/beg for comments in the comments that you leave. Don't ask people to come read you, or compare their story to yours (unless it's the same genre... "Hey, I write 'insert whatever', too!"... but don't ask them to read. Since you write the same, chances are that they'll hop on over to check you out.)
In Closing
Lot of information and things to think and read though, isn't it?
There are a lot of site members, and many who go a long time without receiving a comment...so best thing would be to not sweat it, and go out and create an interest in others wanting to read and comment on your stories.
Adding your comment:
Thanks for putting it together!
. I have a question though.. if you win gold membership from being top commentor while you're already top commentor, does that take away someone else's chance to win it. I know it doesn't activate or store, but I wasn't sure... It happens frequently. Anyway, this was a great piece on how to get comments and also hinted at how best to comment ^^. I don't have much of a problem getting my work read but to those writers out there who do, this should be good! Also points out that messaging someone asking for reads is spam, which people frequently do. I still read and comment but i never feel as warmly disposed. Anywya, a brilliant write 
