New author stories

[SimonDoom]

Has anyone seen a post from someone who had a previously "rejected for AI" story, telling what they did to correct their issue and successfully publish it?

Just curious.

I had a story "rejected for AI" a little over a year ago. I was astonished, and a bit offended, because I had been an author here for a while and I had never used AI to write my stories and I had been confident (wrongly, as it turned out) that if one was careful about avoiding AI and writing with certain ideas in mind one could avoid this problem. Nope. I was wrong.

I sent a polite but adamant and reasonably detailed response to Laurel and Manu (I think I sent it to both) explaining the situation and denying the use of AI. I experienced a delay of a few weeks. Eventually I was asked to resubmit, which I think I did, and still there was some delay, so I replied again, and eventually I was told that there was no problem at all and the whole thing was a glitch.

So, my bottom-line advice to people in this situation is to be your own best advocate. Be polite and don't make accusations or assumptions of bad faith, but be firm and diligent as well. It may well just be a glitch. This is my suspicion about what's going on: The current AI-detection system is glitchy and error-prone, and when you combine it with the surplus of new stories the site is getting every day the site has been stretched to its capacity to deal with the glitches. You just have to push when things go wrong. There's no guarantee that will solve the problem, either, but I'm not sure there's a good alternative right now.

 

[SimonDoom]

There are fictional hurdles to get over that are not always covered in H&S hivis tape.

1) Don't use Grammarly,
2) Find a friend to read over what you think is the best story since the Bible - to check for obvious spelling errors and punctuation,
3) Carefully read the rejection notice. There will be a hint to why it failed - rather than moaning, fix the issues and resubmit, and explain what you have done for the admins.
4) Don't use Grammarly to fix any of the above.

I definitely do NOT agree with this. The key is in how you use it.

I have used Grammarly in the past and currently use MS Word's editing tools to identify errors in my text and to make recommendations for fixes. I see this as no different from using a human editor or proofreader.

I don't always use my Word editor's recommendations. That's the key. I spot the word it wants to replace, and think about it, and make my own choice. Sometimes I deliberately avoid the recommended word because doing so will ensure the story is in my own authentic voice.

I recommend this: before you use an editing tool, complete your story in as polished a version as you can. I wonder if some authors may be handing very rough drafts to Grammarly, and they're letting it completely rewrite the stories for them, a process that is more likely to lead to a story that appears to be AI-generated.

 

[StillStunned]

I recommend this: before you use an editing tool, complete your story in as polished a version as you can. I wonder if some authors may be handing very rough drafts to Grammarly, and they're letting it completely rewrite the stories for them, a process that is more likely to lead to a story that appears to be AI-generated.

Considering how rough some of the stories were that I've edited here, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

 

[alohadave]

In my opinion, this is false information. I have used Grammarly since it launched and have never had a story rejected for doing so.

The key is HOW you use it.

If you use it to identify grammar mistakes, such as the use of "their" instead of "they're", you will have no problem, especially if you then manually make the correction rather than letting the application generate the correction for you. Let Grammarly "see" but not "do".

Where people run into issues is when they rely upon Grammarly to rework sections of their stories based upon its recommendations. Those are generative AI and will typically be detectable.

The "tool" isn't the problem, it's how people use it. Advising people not to use it at all is overkill.

The free version has an option to use generative content. Uncheck that option and it's just a SPaG checker. It won't rewrite anything.

 

[RejectReality]

I rarely even take my human editor's suggestions verbatim.

I don't know what other tools Grammarly offers, because I've never messed with it, but anything beyond the basic spelling and grammar should be used cautiously. Something like a repeated word/phrase report wouldn't be a problem. Using any suggestions of what to replace those words or phrases with could be. A red flag telling you something is a run-on sentence isn't a problem. Using any replacement it offers could be.

You can let a program point things out to you. Letting it replace any of your text could be a problem.

============

As to the OP: Copy/paste the rejection notices. We can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[Racoonteur]

It's hard enough to hear 'but look what he did' from children but to hear it from adults is rough. Are you really wanting to die on the hill of 'this story is badly written/has grammar/spelling/punctuation issues, so mine should be posted too'?

The second sentence is an assumption and complete BS.

I'm afraid the assumption is on your part. I speak from real, practical experience. Contrary to what has been posted above by one person who tried to ferret out a reason for the rejection, because they're convinced I've simply got to be wrong. They themselves have admitted it's a well-written story, I've taken the advice offered here and revised, used a VE, used an audio read back, had three others go through the story and say it's a well-written story and that there was no such issue. left a note in my submission, written a follow-up email, deleted and resent... There's no reason for the story to have been rejected and no useful explanation offered.

And to top it off, to watch condescending replies like yours appear to genuine requests for help...

Again, I'm waiting around to ensure my first chapter is deleted, then I'm gone.

 

[AwkwardMD]

There's no reason for the story to have been rejected and no useful explanation offered..

The flagging system here is a word search. There is no person reading your work and diving your intent. Your story contains the phrase "turned 18" in the middle of other people sneaking around that character.

 

[Racoonteur]

The flagging system here is a word search. There is no person reading your work and diving your intent. Your story contains the phrase "turned 18" in the middle of other people sneaking around that character.

You have revised this explanation too many times now. I appreciate you trying to find a reason for the system's failure, but you're speculating and judging. If it's just a word search, how does the system discern that people are sneaking? Abby and Rand just went for a ride and things happened. No sneaking involved, no mention of Liv until well after the fact.

The full phrase "Liv had turned 18 in June." is past tense and confirms that all characters are of legal age. (along with the disclaimer at the top of the story that states that all characters are over the age of 18 ) If you have a system that flags on that, the system needs to be fixed, not the writing. But, we all know that's not going to happen.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I'm afraid the assumption is on your part. I speak from real, practical experience. Contrary to what has been posted above by one person who tried to ferret out a reason for the rejection, because they're convinced I've simply got to be wrong. They themselves have admitted it's a well-written story, I've taken the advice offered here and revised, used a VE, used an audio read back, had three others go through the story and say it's a well-written story and that there was no such issue. left a note in my submission, written a follow-up email, deleted and resent... There's no reason for the story to have been rejected and no useful explanation offered.

And to top it off, to watch condescending replies like yours appear to genuine requests for help...

Again, I'm waiting around to ensure my first chapter is deleted, then I'm gone.

Obviously, to anyone who has been publishing here for more than a few years, there is always a "perceived" reason why a story gets sent back. (I don't like to use the word "rejected" because that isn't actually what is happening or a re-submission wouldn't be allowed)

I have had a story sent back, and I have had a story reported and taken down. In the first case it was the use of the word "masturbate" in reference to what an underage character claimed to have witnessed. Simply changing the wording to "playing with himself" allowed the story to be published. No big deal. In the second case, a quick, polite PM to Laurel got the story reinstated.

If the reason for sending the story back was related to its content, it is important to know that context carries more weight than content. The words, age of your characters, and the actions within your plot which might trigger a send-back are dependent on the context in which you as the writer present them.

 

[SimonDoom]

Considering how rough some of the stories were that I've edited here, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

I remember, six years ago or so, being asked by an author to proofread his story. He had published some very successful incest stories, so I said yes. I was astonished how awful the draft. Completely unreadable. Chock full of the most elementary errors and showing no effort to present something in decent shape. I should have returned it and insisted he cleaned it up, but instead I proofed it for him. He submitted it, he got it published, it did well, and he never thanked me for it.

I've never edited a story since.

 

[lovecraft68]

The flagging system here is a word search. There is no person reading your work and diving your intent. Your story contains the phrase "turned 18" in the middle of other people sneaking around that character.

That seems like it could be interpreted either way as far as yay or nay with the rules. Feels weak, especially with what can be found in published stories here.

But it brings up the issue that seeing this is a word search all someone has to do to slip in underage content is to not use a number at all.

Or be like people here who have blatantly rule breaking stories the site allows here for no reason other than, yeah, whatever.

The 'rules' aren't much of a source of contention for people, its the half assed-if its even that-way of enforcing them. "we don't allow actual non consent stories, but hey, we have a category called non consent.

Then some here attack these people like its their fault the rules are treated like a joke.

 

[Voboy]

I'm afraid the assumption is on your part. I speak from real, practical experience. Contrary to what has been posted above by one person who tried to ferret out a reason for the rejection, because they're convinced I've simply got to be wrong. They themselves have admitted it's a well-written story, I've taken the advice offered here and revised, used a VE, used an audio read back, had three others go through the story and say it's a well-written story and that there was no such issue. left a note in my submission, written a follow-up email, deleted and resent... There's no reason for the story to have been rejected and no useful explanation offered.

And to top it off, to watch condescending replies like yours appear to genuine requests for help...

Again, I'm waiting around to ensure my first chapter is deleted, then I'm gone.

Do you not comprehend that someone who's been here as a VERY conscientious contributor to the site since 2014 might have a bit more credibility than you do? Particularly when they've cited chapter and verse in reply to your accusations?

Others have told you what would settle this: post the rejection reasons if you want nuanced help. Otherwise, take the advice you seem so quick to dish out, and leave.

Twice now you've said you're only waiting on a deletion before you bounce away from the site, but I doubt that's true. If it were, you wouldn't be posting here, nor anywhere else. It should not surprise you, in that regard, that some of us doubt your veracity. You claim you've washed your hands of the site, and yet here you are, dirtying them.

Good luck in your writing.

 

[Racoonteur]

Obviously, to anyone who has been publishing here for more than a few years, there is always a "perceived" reason why a story gets sent back. (I don't like to use the word "rejected" because that isn't actually what is happening or a re-submission wouldn't be allowed)

I have had a story sent back, and I have had a story reported and taken down. In the first case it was the use of the word "masturbate" in reference to what an underage character claimed to have witnessed. Simply changing the wording to "playing with himself" allowed the story to be published. No big deal. In the second case, a quick, polite PM to Laurel got the story reinstated.

If the reason for sending the story back was related to its content, it is important to know that context carries more weight than content. The words, age of your characters, and the actions within your plot which might trigger a send-back are dependent on the context in which you as the writer present them.

Yeah, no one likes the word, but there you go.
I can tell you that your story about an underage person claiming to have witnessed someone playing with themself goes far beyond anything I mention in my story. Yet yours is allowed.
My argument is that it's NOT CONTENT, it's a broken system or apathetic mod. There are far too many posts complaining and only one constant.

 

[AwkwardMD]

But it brings up the issue that seeing this is a word search all someone has to do to slip in underage content is to not use a number at all.

I mean, sure, we could dream up lots of ways to beat an increasingly-automated system.

Should we, though?

 

[Racoonteur]

Do you not comprehend that someone who's been here as a VERY conscientious contributor to the site since 2014 might have a bit more credibility than you do? Particularly when they've cited chapter and verse in reply to your accusations?

Others have told you what would settle this: post the rejection reasons if you want nuanced help. Otherwise, take the advice you seem so quick to dish out, and leave.

Twice now you've said you're only waiting on a deletion before you bounce away from the site, but I doubt that's true. If it were, you wouldn't be posting here, nor anywhere else. It should not surprise you, in that regard, that some of us doubt your veracity. You claim you've washed your hands of the site, and yet here you are, dirtying them.

Good luck in your writing.

I'm not looking for credibility. I have plenty of that from a writing career irl that stretches much farther back than 2014. Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because someone's hung around a message board for a period of time they somehow have a more valid point of view.

You clearly haven't read about the lengths I've already gone to, trying to play within the system, or you wouldn't make that ridiculous suggestion.

I am waiting to leave. The only reason I popped on here was because I read a genuine request for help met with snide condescension. Similar to what you're trying to dish out now.

Keep your luck and I'll go polish my writing awards. Deal?

 

[Voboy]

I'm not looking for credibility. I have plenty of that from a writing career irl that stretches much farther back than 2014. Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because someone's hung around a message board for a period of time they somehow have a more valid point of view.

You clearly haven't read about the lengths I've already gone to, trying to play within the system, or you wouldn't make that ridiculous suggestion.

I am waiting to leave. The only reason I popped on here was because I read a genuine request for help met with snide condescension. Similar to what you're trying to dish out now.

Keep your luck and I'll go polish my writing awards. Deal?

Congratulations on all your success.

But is hasn't happened here. And "here" is what this thread is about. I don't see what you have to say that can possibly help the OP, though in fairness they're not exactly checking back in, either.

Again, good luck. You seem like you'll be much happier somewhere else.

 

[Racoonteur]

Congratulations on all your success.

But is hasn't happened here. And "here" is what this thread is about. I don't see what you have to say that can possibly help the OP, though in fairness they're not exactly checking back in, either.

Again, good luck. You seem like you'll be much happier somewhere else.

My first post was intended to be helpful. Then, as I suspected they would, the vultures descended.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I'm not looking for credibility. I have plenty of that from a writing career irl that stretches much farther back than 2014. Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because someone's hung around a message board for a period of time they somehow have a more valid point of view.

You clearly haven't read about the lengths I've already gone to, trying to play within the system, or you wouldn't make that ridiculous suggestion.

I am waiting to leave. The only reason I popped on here was because I read a genuine request for help met with snide condescension. Similar to what you're trying to dish out now.

Keep your luck and I'll go polish my writing awards. Deal?

Do you keep those writing awards over at your girlfriends house, the one from the Niagara Falls Region, that we wouldn't know?

 

[Voboy]

My first post was intended to be helpful. Then, as I suspected they would, the vultures descended.

Don't blame others.

You're choosing to engage.

And as I pointed out, you're doing so after loudly proclaiming how little you care. I'm unsure why you'd bother.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

View attachment 2586387
Yeah, no one likes the word, but there you go.
I can tell you that your story about an underage person claiming to have witnessed someone playing with themself goes far beyond anything I mention in my story. Yet yours is allowed.
My argument is that it's NOT CONTENT, it's a broken system or apathetic mod. There are far too many posts complaining and only one constant.

I understand your frustration.

We can't compare content without including the context in which it is delivered. In the case of my story that got sent back, the context was that of a fourteen year old girl falsely accusing someone that she thought was her mother's lover in an attempt to get him in trouble. It was presented in a manner that did not arouse, titillate, or sexualize the involvement of the minor character.

I have 13 stories published (the latest on 12/9/25) on this site that contain underage characters, so I take exception to anyone claiming that the site doesn't allow for them. I am no one special here and receive no grace not afforded to anyone else. If my underage content gets published and someone else's doesn't, there has to be a reason besides the suspected system glitches or moderator apathy.

What that is in your case, I have no clue.

 

[Racoonteur]

I understand your frustration.

We can't compare content without including the context in which it is delivered. In the case of my story that got sent back, the context was that of a fourteen year old girl falsely accusing someone that she thought was her mother's lover in an attempt to get him in trouble. It was presented in a manner that did not arouse, titillate, or sexualize the involvement of the minor character.

I have 13 stories published (the latest on 12/9/25) on this site that contain underage characters, so I take exception to anyone claiming that the site doesn't allow for them. I am no one special here and receive no grace not afforded to anyone else. If my underage content gets published and someone else's doesn't, there has to be a reason besides the suspected system glitches or moderator apathy.

What that is in your case, I have no clue.

If you'd like, I can send you chapter 2 and let you judge for yourself.
What you were able to get published is miles beyond what mine was rejected for.

 

[Racoonteur]

Don't blame others.

You're choosing to engage.

And as I pointed out, you're doing so after loudly proclaiming how little you care. I'm unsure why you'd bother.

What you call blaming is calling a jerk response a jerk response.

Deal with it.

 

[lovecraft68]

I mean, sure, we could dream up lots of ways to beat an increasingly-automated system.

Should we, though?

No, we shouldn't and that's not what I'm advocating.

However, if you're running a site and you have rules about what you don't want on your site you should have some real enforcement process and part of being real is being consistent and not by personal whim or being lax and playing favorites and making exceptions.

You want the rules followed, then make them concrete and more importantly fair in upholding them. Going back to my example, how can we condemn someone for writing a rape story when you have a category named non consent and another in Mind Control that literally has no consent and is 100% rape? That person is supposed to know the rule is a wink wink joke brought into play on occasion to keep up the facade they really mean it?

I don't break the rules because I'm not like that, I try to respect the house I've been invited to, but after an incident a couple of years ago involving a rule breaking story and how it turned out I admit that I don't give a rat's ass if anyone breaks the rules here and gets away with it. I've lost any incentive to police a place that not only refuses to correctly police itself but shits on people who want them enforced. Nope, I read a rule breaking story, oh, well, not by tent, not my circus.

 

[MelissaBaby]

>knock knock<

"Honey, what are you doing in there? Why is the door locked?"

"I'm just, uh...polishing my award."

 

[Voboy]

What you call blaming is calling a jerk response a jerk response.

Deal with it.

Based on what little I've read of your posts here, I'm amazed that anyone would ever choose to be a "jerk" to you. I commisserate.

Just... one of life's inexplicable mysteries, I suppose. For the life of me, I can't figure it out.