Story Preface

[Seanathon]

Hi,

I notice many writers start their stories with an italicized preface often including a preview of the story and/or sex acts within. Many also include the '18 and older' warning.

Is a preface recommended for every story? And, if I want to add one, do I include it in the submission notes? Or do I simply write it at the start of my story and, to keep the italicized format, upload it as a MS Word (.doc) file?

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[PennLady]

A preface is neither recommended nor required. It's up to the author. For as many stories as you'll find with one, you'll find as many without. Sometimes the author wants to let the readers know different things, such as if there is a lag between chapters, or will be, or if a story is related to other stories, or to credit their editor(s).

The note about 18-and-over is again not required, but sometimes put in just to make it clear, since one of Lit's few rules is that you can't have anyone under 18 in a sexual scene.

If you want to put in a note, you can put it at the beginning of your story, italicized or not. You can put it in a .doc file (or other formats) o, you can use the HTML italics tags -- <i> and </i> -- and copy it with the story into the box on the submissions page. Either will work.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Just put <i> preface text </i> at the beginning of your story.

ETA: PennLady beat me by milliseconds.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I notice many writers start their stories with an italicized preface often including a preview of the story and/or sex acts within. Many also include the '18 and older' warning.

Is a preface recommended for every story? And, if I want to add one, do I include it in the submission notes? Or do I simply write it at the start of my story and, to keep the italicized format, upload it as a MS Word (.doc) file?

Thanks in advance for any input!

If you want a preface, just include it as part of your submission. You can do it in a .doc or .rtf, or you can just use <i>italic tags</i> in the submission box.

As to whether you should... it depends. I often include a brief note letting readers know what sort of story they're looking at - I write slow stories that are heavy on plot/dialogue, so if anybody's looking to get their rocks off in a hurry they probably won't want to waste time on mine. It doesn't seem to hurt the ratings. I would also be inclined to warn for content with a high chance of squicking readers (e.g. non-consent elements in a genre other than NC).

However, I've heard other writers say that including a warning encourages people to complain. I suspect it depends on the type of story and how you word the warning - e.g. in LW and NC there are people who go out of their way to read stories they dislike just so they can trash them in comments.

There's also the "spoil the surprise" aspect to consider.

An 18+ warning shouldn't be necessary given that the whole site is clearly identified as 18+.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't usually recommend it, no. I think it's defensive and caters to readers who can't take responsibility for their own reading. I do recommend it for chaptered stories, though, assuring the reader the writing of the series is over and the last installment will be posted by some estimated date--so readers know they aren't wasting their time investing in a story that won't finish.

 

[PennLady]

Just put <i> preface text </i> at the beginning of your story.

ETA: PennLady beat me by milliseconds.

bwah haha

 

[PennLady]

An 18+ warning shouldn't be necessary given that the whole site is clearly identified as 18+.

I tend to think those statements are more for Laurel than the readers.

 

[lovecraft68]

I recommend it if you feel something is in there that may not exactly fit the category. For instance, say its a group sex story, but you have a non consent aspect to it. Most people come to Group to read about group not non consent so you're issuing a disclaimer.

That disclaimer serves two purposes, one is common courtesy to the reader the other can save you a lot of heat of the moment one bombs.

I have one for every story for two reasons. I issue the disclaimer that I do not write stroke, all my stories are on the longer side and I take my time getting to the sex so if they want a quick wank, they may want to move on.

The other reason is I like to "talk" to the readers a bit. I grew up a huge fan of Marvel Comics back when they were fun when Stan lee was there and he would write fun little intros to the stories.

I disagree strongly with the post that a disclaimer is defensive. I believe if you are tossing in anything that is a little "off category" you should let people know.

Erotica is very specialized and its not a peanut butter cup, many here do not want incest in their BDSM or GM in their LW so for me, the word is courtesy, not defensiveness.

End of the day I feel good for never misleading anyone. I do not think its funny or cool to blindside someone with something they dislike, for instance placing a rape scene in a basic erotic couplings piece. People who like that will go to non consent where they know they can find it. I know "playing it straight" has saved me a lot of trolling.

As for the 18 and over? I never bother with that because I don't feel any of my stories indicate I am doing otherwise.

But this is really one of those find your way things you will get a lot of opinions here, but you need to decided what works or does not work for you.

 

[sr71plt]

I disagree strongly with the post that a disclaimer is defensive.


Which I see as highly defensive itself.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I know disclaimers are good in certain categories, where sex is happening that isn't part of that category, as some mentioned. If you're writing lesbian, let's say and you introduce a guy into it, it'll get slammed by many for doing that.

The other place it's prevalent, is in Celebrities, where mention of copyright is given. In as much as a huge disclaimer is posted at the top, many feel they have to put one in to state the source directly.

I posted a small disclaimer in the first chapter of Redwood Nine, but none in the ones after. I feel one is all that's needed at that point, but some do it in every chapter.

 

[Handley_Page]

Like a couple of others, I write is in English English and it seems that some readers have problem with it not being the way they think. I therefore think it important to put some sort of notice at the beginning.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I tend to think those statements are more for Laurel than the readers.

Ah, I was reading that as "this story is for readers aged 18+" and hadn't thought of the "characters 18+" possibility. Agreed, the latter may be appropriate for some stories.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Like a couple of others, I write is in English English and it seems that some readers have problem with it not being the way they think. I therefore think it important to put some sort of notice at the beginning.

I don't usually get any problems for writing in Australian English, but one where I probably should have flagged is when I used "wog", which is apparently much more offensive in UK than here.

 

[drteetho]

I disagree strongly with the post that a disclaimer is defensive.


Which I see as highly defensive itself.

A disclaimer certainly can be defensive... but it doesn't have to be. It all depends on how it is worded and the point the author is looking to make in the disclaimer.

That's just my opinion, your mileage may vary, etc. etc.

 

[StrangeLife]

I flatly refuse to apologise for my story in any way or form.

Disclaimers and prefaces always gives me the sense of dealing with an author in doubt of his or her own abilities, so you wont find one in any of my works. A "read on if you dare" is implied and without explicitly stating so I assume that all readers are 18 or older and thus responsible adults.

Besides therapists have to make a living too...