Moderators

[GTO_Racer]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.
Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions? Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

 

[AwkwardMD]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.
Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions? Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

Post deletion speedrun any percent.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Well alrighty then.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.

You flagged that connection, so your story got rejected. If there was no connection, as you say here, why did you do that? Three times...

The site is very big on potential plagiarism, and expects any "inspired by" story to have explicit permission from the original author. Saying you tried to get permission isn't enough.

Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions?

That's clever, to slag off the very person you want to approve your story.

With a couple hundred submissions a day, no, the site does not read every word. We suspect they use a bunch of word bots to do the first screening, and your intro raised the flag. Three times is a bit of a pattern, I'd have thought.

Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

The only monkey here, methinks, is you. You painted your own target on your back, and don't ever think that Laurel doesn't read posts like this, because there's plenty of evidence that she does. I'd say you've now gone to the bottom of her pile.

Good luck getting your stories approved.

 

[ronde]

Just trying to help here as I have considerable experience on Literotica as well a serving as the administrator for a similar site.

As far as anyone knows, there are no "moderators" for stories. There is only Laurel and I seriously doubt she has time to read every one of the 200+ stories submitted to Literotica every day. It does appear to me as if she is using some form of software that scans stories for content that violates the site rules, and that software might generate the rejection automatically. Perhaps that is why you experienced the rejections. Literotica has been very adamant about not publishing anything that appears to violate the various copyright laws in the world.

The fact that you attempted to contact the original author for permission and received no response does not imply permission. Many people write some stories and then stop. They may or not reply to an email or PM depending upon their current situation. The correct approach is when in doubt, don't.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.
Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions? Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

When you are having a go at the website, you should make your posts calm and reasonable. There is anger and confusion in your words that make them too easy for the website worshippers to pick apart. Just saying.

That being said, we've discussed these subjects often in the AH. Writing a story that was merely "inspired" by some other story isn't plagiarism. There are thousands of such stories currently on Lit. I didn't understand completely what you wrote, but I assume your story has a different enough plot and characters?

If it's merely a story inspired by some other story, and not a continuation of some other author's story, or even a rewriting of an existing story - using the same characters and setting, then your story shouldn't have been rejected. You don't even need to ask the original author for permission in such cases, although it's still a nice courtesy if you do.

Please clarify, hopefully in a calm and rational post.

 

[FrancesScott]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.
Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions? Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

Thing is, no one here can truly help you. I’ve noticed that some people (I stress some) who have been here a while will say that of course it is this way. Then another longterm member says the opposite.

Like I read that Laurel never replies to any messages. She has to two of mine.

The issue here is “inspired by” - what does that mean? Do you reuse any characters, or a world setting? Like if the story you were inspired by is set on the planned Zog in 2452 in the middle of the Zogian / Grolak sex wars, and so is yours, then you might have an issue. Especially if Empress Cumsalot is ruler of Zog in both. If the plots are both very similar, you might also have a problem.

But if you are generally just taking a loose concept / vague setting and writing your own story with your own characters, that’s neither plagiarism nor copyright infringement. And it’s not a continuation of someone else’s work without permission either.

Without details, it’s impossible to provide any advice beyond the [single as far as anyone knows] story reviewer is a human and humans don’t like being insulted.

Just sayin’

 

[TheWritingGroup]

Am I the only one? I've written a lot of stories on here, but three of them have been rejected for the stupidest of reasons. I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories, even though I stated that in my introduction, the stories were rejected because I didn't get permission from the original authors. In all cases, I did message the original authors, but they didn't respond. Even though these stories were completely different than the original stories, they were rejected.
Am I the only one that this is happening to, or are he moderators for this site simply too stupid to actually read the submissions? Seriously, one of my stories that was rejected didn't even have humans in it. It is about monkeys. Completely different story. I have t ask, are the moderators here naturally stupid, or do they need to take a class to lower their intelligence?

It happened to one of my earliest stories. I resubmitted it and said that not only was the original author I mentioned aware of the "tribute", but my story was only inspired by his, not a continuation of it. My story shared no characters, no plot elements more detailed than "The main character gets in trouble," and no locations with Carl Bradford's tale that inspired it. It was published on the second try.

--Annie

 

[NotWise]

It might be enough to resubmit your stories with a note to the editor. Tell Laurel what you told us--without your last paragraph.

This forum has a standard against rude, intentionally insulting posts. It holds whether those comments are aimed at another user or at the "moderators". Your original post might be removed.

 

[SimonDoom]

The OP's comment raises a serious question, which is, When is it appropriate expressly to state that one's work is based in some way on the work of another Lit author?

I think people often follow the wrong rule, confusing the concepts of copyright infringement and plagiarism.

They are not the same thing, and they shouldn't be used interchangeably.

Plagiarism is borrowing the work of another without attribution. Copyright infringement is taking the copyright able expression of another author without permission.

The applicable principle is copyright, not plagiarism. If you are taking only the broad 'ideas' of another's fiction, you are under no obligation either to give attribution or to get permission. Do neither.

On the other hand. If you are taking copyrightable elements from another's story, attribution alone won't save you, so always get permission first.

Lit obviously lacks the resources to do a copyright analysis. So: don't give attribution without getting permission.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

The OP's comment raises a serious question, which is, When is it appropriate expressly to state that one's work is based in some way on the work of another Lit author?

I think people often follow the wrong rule, confusing the concepts of copyright infringement and plagiarism.

They are not the same thing, and they shouldn't be used interchangeably.

Plagiarism is borrowing the work of another without attribution. Copyright infringement is taking the copyright able expression of another author without permission.

The applicable principle is copyright, not plagiarism. If you are taking only the broad 'ideas' of another's fiction, you are under no obligation either to give attribution or to get permission. Do neither.

On the other hand. If you are taking copyrightable elements from another's story, attribution alone won't save you, so always get permission first.

Lit obviously lacks the resources to do a copyright analysis. So: don't give attribution without getting permission.

Agreed. I wrote "plagiarism" in my post, but I see the hasty mistake I made. It's copyright infringement indeed.

 

[alohadave]

They are not the same thing, and they shouldn't be used interchangeably.

Plagiarism is borrowing the work of another without attribution. Copyright infringement is taking the copyright able expression of another author without permission.

Copyright infringement is a legal term, plagiarism is an ethical term.

 

[SimonDoom]

Copyright infringement is a legal term, plagiarism is an ethical term.

Yea, but it's more than that. They describe different kinds of wrongs.

If you take somebody's idea and use it in fiction, It's not infringement because copyright doesn't protect ideas.

If you take somebody's copyrightable expression without permission and give attribution, it's still infringement. Attribution is not a defense. In fact, attribution is bad (as in the OP's case) because its an admission of taking.

The key to plagiarism, on the other hand, is use without attribution. It usually doesn't apply in fiction.

 

[THBGato]

I simply mentioned in my inro that my inspiration came from another story, Nothing in my stories had anything t do with the original story. no similar names, no similar ploy lines, they were completely new stories,

Weird you got rejected for that, as I have done the same (even including hyperlinks to specific stories by said authors - see the end note to Thirty). I don't do it loads, as it's not always relevant, but my stories have got through fine.

Was that the only reason given?

 

[Bazzle]

The OP's comment raises a serious question, which is, When is it appropriate expressly to state that one's work is based in some way on the work of another Lit author?

I think people often follow the wrong rule, confusing the concepts of copyright infringement and plagiarism.

They are not the same thing, and they shouldn't be used interchangeably.

Plagiarism is borrowing the work of another without attribution. Copyright infringement is taking the copyright able expression of another author without permission.

The applicable principle is copyright, not plagiarism. If you are taking only the broad 'ideas' of another's fiction, you are under no obligation either to give attribution or to get permission. Do neither.

On the other hand. If you are taking copyrightable elements from another's story, attribution alone won't save you, so always get permission first.

Lit obviously lacks the resources to do a copyright analysis. So: don't give attribution without getting permission.

Exactly. I borrowed a theme from Simon's work, asked permission, it was granted and I attributed Simon in the verbal at the end.
On one of my stories on here, when I first started writing, I didn't. It got rejected for copying another author's story. I learnt, improved my writing and how to source inspiration. Key word. Inspiration. Not the whole darn story.

I am still grateful for Simon allowing me to write my story!

 

[BobbyBrandt]

If you took inspiration from Melville's idea about a sailor's obsession with a white whale and wrote a story about a sailor obsessively seeking a beautiful mermaid for sex, you should be okay. However, if your sailor is named Ahab, and he has a Moby Dick, things get dicier for you.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

If you took inspiration from Melville's idea about a sailor's obsession with a white whale and wrote a story about a sailor obsessively seeking a beautiful mermaid for sex, you should be okay. However, if your sailor is named Ahab, and he has a Moby Dick, things get dicier for you.

The funny thing (wordplay intended) is, it's perfectly OK if you're doing a parody or satire of Moby-Dick.

--Annie

 

[SimonDoom]

If you took inspiration from Melville's idea about a sailor's obsession with a white whale and wrote a story about a sailor obsessively seeking a beautiful mermaid for sex, you should be okay. However, if your sailor is named Ahab, and he has a Moby Dick, things get dicier for you.

Except, of course, it's all public domain because of time.

 

[alohadave]

Except, of course, it's all public domain because of time.

It's an interesting question if Lit would allow posting of a public domain work.

 

[Bamagan]

It's an interesting question if Lit would allow posting of a public domain work.

They raised no objection to me quoting a paragraph from Lady Chatterley's Lover in one of my stories last year, after which the characters acted it out. It had just become public domain that year, IIRC. I imagine there's probably a limit to how much they would allow like that, though.

 

[Voboy]

Am I the only one?

For this particular set of circumstances? I'd say the answer is "yes."

 

[Bramblethorn]

It's an interesting question if Lit would allow posting of a public domain work.

By a strict reading of the site rules, they wouldn't:

To publish a story on Literotica, you must certify the following stipulations to be true:

• You’re 18 years of age or older and legally able to write, publish, and read erotic material;
• You’re the sole creator of the work, you own the copyright, and you grant Literotica the legal rights to publish the submitted work;

But as to whether Laurel would stand on that rule here, your guess is as good as mine. She doesn't seem to stand on the letter of the rule for cases like collabs where there's no "sole creator".

OTOH, I can imagine Literotica not wanting people inflating their "author" profile by republishing public domain stories.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

It's an interesting question if Lit would allow posting of a public domain work.

There is at least one author here who has published erotic variants of famous fairy tales, and those weren't published in the Celebrities and fanfic category. Off the top of my head, I remember seeing Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, etc. So the answer is yes, I suppose.

 

[TheLobster]

Parody and merely quoting a single passage sound like something that’d fall under fair use, but of course IANAL.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's an interesting question if Lit would allow posting of a public domain work.

I think in almost all cases it would qualify as fanfiction. There would be no public domain works by Lit authors because the expiration would not have passed for any such works.