Rule #1-Circumstances, events and experience coupled with the fact that we will always be improving this ToS for everyone's safety and benefit make all rules in this agreement subject to periodic change. We will announce changes in the news feed, but it is your responsibility to check the ToS to make sure you are in compliance.
Rule #2- Accounts/User Information
Rule#3-Plagiarism of any sort will not be accepted or permitted in these archives. Properly cited and referenced material is acceptable. For information on how to properly cite and reference published material, please review Citation Machine. All unreferenced material will be considered plagiarism and will be removed at once, barring account suspension and deletion.
- If you would like to introduce stories/chapters with a poem or a quote to set the tone, please make sure it is properly cited and accredited. This same courtesy and rule applies to song lyrics. If it is not properly accredited to the source, it will not be accepted.
- Large blocks of quote text material will not be allowed to be inserted into your chapters; i.e., if you have a story in which someone from the past discovers a book and reads large passages to make comment. We will not accept these kinds of stories, or such large quotes of other’s books.
- We will not accept any reproductions of work or fanfiction modeled after the following authors’ works: Anne Rice, Terry Goodkind, P.N. Elrod, Laurell K. Hamilton, Nora Roberts, Raymond Feist, Robin McKinley, Irene Radford, Tamora Pierce, Storm Constantine, Mercedes Lackey and any other who has expressly stated they do not want fanfiction written from their work. Please check this section from time to time to make sure new names have not been added. This is not a complete listing and responsibility remains with the member to ensure the fanfiction does not violate the express wishes of the original author. If the author whose world you are borrowing has specific guidelines for fanfiction or fan art, members are responsible for complying with those guidelines.
Rule#4- The staff are very open-minded and understand that sometimes sensitive subject matter must be employed to further a strong plot. Sensitive subject matter may include issues which offend. All sensitive subject matter will be clearly identified in summary information and warning labels. Staff will also monitor said material to maintain quality of stories. Stories that contain glorification of sensitive issues such as rape, cutting, incest, violence and physical abuse will not be accepted or permitted in these archives. Bear in mind that it is at the discretion of the staff what is considered unacceptable. Repeated submissions of uncorrected stories which feature this type of material may result in account suspension.
- In the case of school age fiction, all student/teacher pairings must be tastefully written. All students must be of the age of consent, meaning that they are eighteen years of age or older. Fiction which features child/adult pairings will not be accepted.
- Sexual behavior is sexual behavior, and must be rated appropriately at all times. Inappropriately rated sexual behavior in stories, artwork and poetry will be rejected. A notice requesting that the proper rating be affixed before attempting to resubmit may be sent at the staff member’s discretion. Repeated resubmission without amending the problem may eventually result in account suspension and/or termination.
- The following types of sexual behavior are considered inappropriate and will not be accepted into these archives: Pedophilia, bestiality and necrophilia.
- We will not accept any stories written in netspeak.
- While we will accept work in script/screen play format, we will not allow any stories which are written in chat format, or instant message format.
- Stories must contain action, plot, dialogue, etc. In the case of original and fanfic pieces we reserve the right to reject inclusion based on lack of originality or creativity. Cliched plots, Mary Sues (except where used for comic affect) and other over used storylines may be rejected by staff. In the case of fanfiction these may include but are not limited to:
- Known villain suddenly turns good and falls in love with heroine. (In other words if you have Draco becoming a good guy it better be believable and for original reasons other than Hermione or Ginny's love or we may just say no.)
- Frumpy but intelligent heroine gets summer make-over and turns into school hottie. (In other words if Hermione comes back from summer break suddenly drool-worthy and with a perpetual case of lust we may just say no.)
- Snarling and bitter pseudo villain suddenly discovers he is related to one of the heroes who has been the thorn in his side for several books. (In other words if Professor Snape turns out to be Hermione's dad and he has hidden her away to protect her from the Dark Lord and now she'd a pure blood, we may just say no.)
- Two arch nemesis end up in close quarters with each other and suddenly fall in love or lust. (If Draco and Hermione end up as Head Girl and Boy and have to share a common room and bathroom and just keep bumping into each other until they magically fall in love, we may just say no.) As indicated earlier, use of a cliche for comedic affect or where it is presented with quality writing and an interesting new angle (No Snape being Neville's dad and not Hermione's doesn't count as a new angle,) may earn you a pass. The final word in such decisions remains with staff.
- All stories must be properly formatted for readability, i.e., structured using proper sentences, paragraphs, etc. Any stories that are submitted as a whole block of text lacking punctuation to distinguish between sentences and spaces between paragraphs will be rejected.
Rule#6- Disrespect for fellow authors, administration and staff will result in the direct termination of one's account. While disrespect is a wide-ranged word, we expect that our members understand the behavior which will be tolerated here. If at any time you are not sure what is considered acceptable behavior, please consult a staff member for further guidance before risking your account. Account suspensions will last for a period of 3 weeks. Account deletions are permanent. In the event that your account is permanently deleted, your IP# and email addresses will be banned from participation. We don't want to see this happen any more than you do, so please, respect your fellow members.
Rule#7- All images must comply with the appropriate required setting. Please read the following list of requirements in regard to posting images on this site:
Rule#8- Our ratings system is simple and easy to use. Please follow it. Failure to follow the ratings system can result in account suspension or termination depending upon the severity of the offense.
Y-12 The Y-12 rating applies to stories that are suitable for readers 12 and under. These stories are appropriate for everyone, including your four year old sister. Light, fluffy, cute and sweet, there is absolutely no outright reference to violence or sexuality of any kind allowed in these stories at all.
YA-13 The YA-13 rating is for stories appropriate for readers ages 13 and above. Occasionally these stories will lightly explore very minor sexual situations such as kissing, holding hands and may also possibly allude to very vague sexual violence and/or physical abuse situations. Please note this says VERY VAGUE.
T-15 The T-15 rating exceeds what is permitted in the YA-13 rating in matters of sexuality, drug/alcohol use, and violence. Violent or sexual content within reason is permitted without exceeding the A-17 barrier. More obvious allusions to rape and/or sexual violence, as well as self-harm or mutilation and drug/alcohol use and abuse would fall here. All such situations must be maturely approached. These types of situations are not meant to be glorified or made to look fun and exciting. Any type of glorification of sexual violence, physical violence, self-mutilation, and self-harm is a direct violation of our ToS and will result in the immediate removal of the material.
A-17 Nobody under the age of 17 is permitted to read these stories. A warning window will pop up to alert you that the story you have clicked on is not appropriate for readers under 17. These stories will contain adult situations which may include violence, sexuality, reference to nudity in sexual situations (without explicitly naming or describing sexual organs or acts,) drug/alcohol use/abuse, sensitive issues.
NA-18 That is no admittance to anyone under the age of 18. Graphic sexuality and violence may appear in these stories which are completely in appropriate for persons under the age of 18. A pop up window warning readers of content will appear in the event of clicking on a story with this rating.
Rule#9- In regards to actual persons: Depictions of actual persons, famous or otherwise, as well as portrayals of actual events which may draw attention to the identity of actual persons will not be accepted in the fiction/fanfiction categories.
- Since we do have a section for artwork, depictions of famous and/or actual persons will be allowed in this category but must conform to ToS.
- We will accept factual stories in the nonfiction category, but a disclaimer must be added stating that the events in said story are true to your knowledge.
- Fiction/fanfiction stories which explore historical situations are permitted to include factual persons who are deceased. For example, in the event that you are writing about WWII, you may actually use Hitler. You may write about the life and times of historical persons. For example if you wanted to write a fictional piece about the relationship between Percy Shelley and Mary Wolstencraft-Shelley, such a story would be acceptable. These people are deceased and are deemed historical /public figures.
- References to public figures or cultural icons are permitted if used to enhance realism of the setting or time period. i.e. A character in an 80's piece says, "I love that Billy Idol song, turn it up," or "As a kid we used to play doctor, he always got to be George Clooney," are acceptable uses. Mr. Idol or Mr. Clooney come to her house to make out with said character, not acceptable unless this is a nonfiction memoir and then it should contain the above mentioned disclaimer. If you are uncertain about your story and whether or not it is acceptable please feel free to contact a member of the staff.
Rule#10- On chapter length and Author's Notes:
- Introductory chapters as well as Epilogues are required to be no less than 250 words.
- All regular chapters must be 500 words or more. In the event that your chapter is less than 500 words consider combining it with the previous or following chapter. This rule does not apply to poetry, which is structured and formatted completely different.
- Chapter length in most cases will not exceed 15000 words, but in the event that you have a chapter which exceeds this limit, we ask that you break the chapter into two parts and post them separately.
- You may place an Author's Note (A/N) at the beginning or end of your chapter, but the random placing of A/N's throughout the body of the story to explain your story is not acceptable. For example an author’s note to explain why you made Mr. Fizzlypink dance the ballet in steel toed work boots is a no-no. If you are worried that your readers aren't going to understand what you are doing, chances are you need to find a better way through the writing of the story to clarify what you are going for.
Rule #11- The Review System
The review system is meant for the administering of feedback, constructive criticism, praise, etc. to your fellow authors. It is a good idea to periodically back up your reviews just in case.
- Flaming fellow members is unacceptable. There is a difference between offering constructive criticism and telling someone they suck. Pointing out all the flaws is not a constructive way to critique your fellow authors and poets. If you have no suggestions or feel it impossible to be kind in your review it may be best to pass up the opportunity to leave one.
- We do understand that from time to time you may wander off track in a review or a reply, please remember that the review box is not an instant message machine or chat board. It is not a place to discuss whether or not you like the Beatles or apple pie.
- Abuse of the review system will result in the suspension and/or termination of your account.
- Fanfiction vs. Plagiarism and Copyrights. The rules of copyright are complex and would require a lot more wisdom to condense into a snappy little rule. It boils down to this. If you are going to write fanfiction, it is your responsibility to understand the issues.
- Know your author. If you are writing fanfiction of an author or copyright holder that does not allow fanfiction, it is your responsibility to refrain from posting such material. Please see Rule #3 for a partial list of writers we know have publicly refused consent for fanfiction.
- Canon. To some of us it’s an annoying reality. To some it’s sacred text. Fanfiction writers whose work blatantly and obviously deviates from canon for that particular fandom must indicate that by listing the work as AU –Alternate Universe. For example:
- In a Harry Potter fanfiction, you write a story about the night Sirius Black left home. This event is not detailed in canon (as of the publication of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) and therefore is fair game without an AU designation. However, if you have Sirius kill his brother Regulus and his mother in his escape, you have significantly altered canon and need to list it as AU.
- If in writing a Star Wars fanfic you decide that during his youth, Obi Wan actually secretly guided Luke in his guise as the odd hermit and write a scene where Obi Wan teachers him a valuable life lesson, you’re ok. If however, you write that Obi Wan regularly gave Luke Jedi lessons behind his uncle’s back, you’ve significantly altered canon and need to list it as AU.