How do you include links to other pages or sites within a story?

[waltdee]

I've done some searching on both the site and this forum, and I haven't found a page describing how to include hypertext links to other pages within a story using the markup language. There are several on how to mark text as bold or italic, but I can't find anything on links.

Is it just a simple <a href="https://www.literotica.com/resources/writer-resources">Writer resources for you to use.</a> or is it maybe [url=https://www.literotica.com/resources/writer-resources]Writer resources for you to use.[/url]?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[RejectReality]

You're only allowed to link to pages on Lit, so that's #1.

You type it as a normal hyperlink as your example number 1. It's a good idea to put something in the "notes" section of the submission form pointing it out so Laurel doesn't mistake it for something else and reject it for HTML or outside links.

There should be some reason for the link. Linking to a member who did a read/proof/edit on the story, linking to a story/artwork you were inspired by, or something of that nature. It's extra work for Laurel, so if there's not a good reason for it, just skip it.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Timely question/topic.

I just submitted a story that is a prequel to another with characters from several other stories. In the prologue, I listed the name of the story that this one is a prequel to, and then in Word, used the "Insert Hyperlink" feature to point to the URL on Literotica for that story.

I submitted the story as a Word document upload and I am now waiting to see if the hyperlinks embedded in the document carry over. It won't be the end of the world if it doesn't, but I was curious.

 

[PennameWombat]

Timely question/topic.

I just submitted a story that is a prequel to another with characters from several other stories. In the prologue, I listed the name of the story that this one is a prequel to, and then in Word, used the "Insert Hyperlink" feature to point to the URL on Literotica for that story.

I submitted the story as a Word document upload and I am now waiting to see if the hyperlinks embedded in the document carry over. It won't be the end of the world if it doesn't, but I was curious.

If you look at any of my recent stories, e.g., Geek Pride: Twins, you’ll see a variety of hyperlinks in there to other Lit pages. My links are limited to my front matter and author’s note at the end, not the story text.

I use this method. I submit my stories as Word (.doc) files. I create the links in my source file using ‘Insert Hyperlink’ and put the URL and what text I want to show. Lit’s conversion program has always handled it for my submissions, and as the site states that .doc files are one of the ways to submit and they accept links under certain conditions, I accept they’re prepared to handle them. I tend to use very little ’fancy‘ formatting, beyond H3 (headers) for section breaks and rare use of bold or italic. And the links as described.

So far as I’m aware, using ‘<a HREF=…’ should work if you’re inserting plain text via the submission box. Just make sure the links only go to Lit pages.

 

[ElectricBlue]

So far as I’m aware, using ‘<a HREF=…’ should work if you’re inserting plain text via the submission box. Just make sure the links only go to Lit pages.

Yes, that works.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

If you look at any of my recent stories, e.g., Geek Pride: Twins, you’ll see a variety of hyperlinks in there to other Lit pages. My links are limited to my front matter and author’s note at the end, not the story text.

I use this method. I submit my stories as Word (.doc) files. I create the links in my source file using ‘Insert Hyperlink’ and put the URL and what text I want to show. Lit’s conversion program has always handled it for my submissions, and as the site states that .doc files are one of the ways to submit and they accept links under certain conditions, I accept they’re prepared to handle them. I tend to use very little ’fancy‘ formatting, beyond H3 (headers) for section breaks and rare use of bold or italic. And the links as described.

So far as I’m aware, using ‘<a HREF=…’ should work if you’re inserting plain text via the submission box. Just make sure the links only go to Lit pages.

I assumed it would work, but I have always just entered the complete URL in my previous submissions. I think the embedded hyperlink will look better.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

It worked beautifully.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

I like using the target="_blank" attribute in the <a> tag to force the link to open in a new tab/window if you're not sure how the browser or webpage may handle the link. If you don't want the link to open in a new tab/window, you can use the target="_self" attribute to force that.

 

[lovecraft68]

You're only allowed to link to pages on Lit, so that's #1.

You type it as a normal hyperlink as your example number 1. It's a good idea to put something in the "notes" section of the submission form pointing it out so Laurel doesn't mistake it for something else and reject it for HTML or outside links.

There should be some reason for the link. Linking to a member who did a read/proof/edit on the story, linking to a story/artwork you were inspired by, or something of that nature. It's extra work for Laurel, so if there's not a good reason for it, just skip it.

Is it okay to link your lit homepage in a closing authors note? Like if I wanted to make an announcement on my page and wanted to put it in a story do more people would see it?

 

[Candy_Kane54]

Is it okay to link your lit homepage in a closing authors note? Like if I wanted to make an announcement on my page and wanted to put it in a story do more people would see it?

Yes. I've done that myself. I usually have a YouTube video referenced in my afterword so I link to my bio page since I can't put a link to it in the story.

 

[RejectReality]

Is it okay to link your lit homepage in a closing authors note? Like if I wanted to make an announcement on my page and wanted to put it in a story do more people would see it?

You can, but the text in the story can't say something that references off-site stuff. You can't say "Check my bio for forthcoming announcements about new Smashword releases" But you can say "Follow me or check my bio for forthcoming announcements"

Anyone who follows you will be alerted any time you update something on your storyside profile. So if you change the text of your bio to include an announcement, all of your followers will get an alert on their activity page.

 

[lovecraft68]

"Follow me or check my bio for forthcoming announcements"

That's all I want to do. Thanks

 

[lovecraft68]

Yes. I've done that myself. I usually have a YouTube video referenced in my afterword so I link to my bio page since I can't put a link to it in the story.

Thanks. That's a cool idea, linking influences/inspirations to the story.

 

[Duleigh]

It worked beautifully.

That's awesome! I did that in the past and forgot all about it... I think it was the same writers challenge also.