Questions from a newbie

[Aelfwen]

Hello, I'm new here.

I was inspired to write a horror story for the halloween contest, but sadly I don't think I have enough time left to polish it. I would also like to run it past an editor and that I understand, takes time. It is my very first bit of erotica and I am still trying to overcome my nerves in publishing something so explicit and ... personal. I have read quite a few how-tos, but there are still a few questions I have.

- How do you decide what category the story will go into, when the story expands through several?

- The story has a non-consent occult theme, and as such it is bound to upset some readers. Should I include a short note before the story as a warning?

- Is there anything I should know to expect or know of before publishing a story here? I am aware of trolls hiding under the bridges, but are there other dangers I should be aware of?

I suppose, I would like to get to know this community a little better before I take the plunge.

 

[oggbashan]

...

Question 1- How do you decide what category the story will go into, when the story expands through several?

...

We have discussed category selection many times on the Authors' Hangout. You could search for threads with 'category' in the title.

But - some categories trump any other. If the story contains Gay Male, that's where it should go.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Only Pretend Pilot is authorized to answer writer questions.

 

[Areala-chan]

- How do you decide what category the story will go into, when the story expands through several?

- The story has a non-consent occult theme, and as such it is bound to upset some readers. Should I include a short note before the story as a warning?

- Is there anything I should know to expect or know of before publishing a story here? I am aware of trolls hiding under the bridges, but are there other dangers I should be aware of?

I suppose, I would like to get to know this community a little better before I take the plunge.

Pick whatever the main erotic focus of the story is, and submit to that category.
If your story has non-consent elements relating to any of the primary characters, regardless of the rest of the content, I'd strongly suggest submitting it to the NonCon category. Readers there know what to expect and won't require a disclaimer.

As far as what to expect when publishing here:

- Make sure you follow the rules. LIT doesn't allow stories with under-18 characters engaging in any sexual stuff, period. In theory the site also doesn't publish stories where characters are subjected to sexual abuse against their will, but it also has a category for Non-Consent, so I've no idea what to make of that. I don't write it, and I don't read it, so I don't know "how much rape is too much". Likewise, pornographic violence is a no-go. It doesn't mean nobody can be hurt, and some categories like Erotic Horror will probably let you go a little further, just don't go overboard with the gore.

- As a new writer, your submission will likely be subjected to higher-than-normal levels of scrutiny by Laurel to make sure you're within the guidelines. It will take several days between when your story is submitted and when it gets accepted or rejected. Stories awaiting publication will be marked 'Pending' on the page where you can view your submissions. If it gets published, 'Pending' will change to 'approved'. If it's not approved, its status will be listed as 'rejected'. Clicking on that red 'rejected' will open a page explaining the reason(s) for the rejection. You can then edit your submission to fix the problem(s), submit it again, and repeat until everything's kosher.

- If your story is rejected, it doesn't mean Laurel thinks your story sucks, it just means one or more things weren't up to the site's standard. Don't get depressed if this happens. Laurel doesn't reject a story because she didn't like it, and she won't reject it for the occasional spelling error or grammar mistake.

- Once your story gets published, ignore its vote tally for the first 24-48 hours. Stories, especially in controversial categories like Non-Con, Incest, and Loving Wives, can suffer huge swings in one direction or another while your story is on the New list, and thus more visible and easily targeted by the trolls who happily 1-bomb everything in categories they don't agree with.

Hope that helps.

 

[Pequin]

Pick whatever the main erotic focus of the story is, and submit to that category.
If your story has non-consent elements relating to any of the primary characters, regardless of the rest of the content, I'd strongly suggest submitting it to the NonCon category. Readers there know what to expect and won't require a disclaimer.

As far as what to expect when publishing here:

- Make sure you follow the rules. LIT doesn't allow stories with under-18 characters engaging in any sexual stuff, period. In theory the site also doesn't publish stories where characters are subjected to sexual abuse against their will, but it also has a category for Non-Consent, so I've no idea what to make of that. I don't write it, and I don't read it, so I don't know "how much rape is too much". Likewise, pornographic violence is a no-go. It doesn't mean nobody can be hurt, and some categories like Erotic Horror will probably let you go a little further, just don't go overboard with the gore.

- As a new writer, your submission will likely be subjected to higher-than-normal levels of scrutiny by Laurel to make sure you're within the guidelines. It will take several days between when your story is submitted and when it gets accepted or rejected. Stories awaiting publication will be marked 'Pending' on the page where you can view your submissions. If it gets published, 'Pending' will change to 'approved'. If it's not approved, its status will be listed as 'rejected'. Clicking on that red 'rejected' will open a page explaining the reason(s) for the rejection. You can then edit your submission to fix the problem(s), submit it again, and repeat until everything's kosher.

- If your story is rejected, it doesn't mean Laurel thinks your story sucks, it just means one or more things weren't up to the site's standard. Don't get depressed if this happens. Laurel doesn't reject a story because she didn't like it, and she won't reject it for the occasional spelling error or grammar mistake.

- Once your story gets published, ignore its vote tally for the first 24-48 hours. Stories, especially in controversial categories like Non-Con, Incest, and Loving Wives, can suffer huge swings in one direction or another while your story is on the New list, and thus more visible and easily targeted by the trolls who happily 1-bomb everything in categories they don't agree with.

Hope that helps.

This helped me a great deal! Thanks for asking the questions Aelfwen and for answering so detailed Areala-chan.

 

[Aelfwen]

Thank you for your very helpful answer. It has given me food for thought. What you said about the approval process is very re-assuring.

I have read the non-consent and horror category for years now, so I have some idea on what has been approved, but the lines seem drawn on sand. Fantastical elements seem to allow more leeway as well as plot driven stories. As a reader of horror stories, as well as the erotic ones, there is not much you can do without at least the threat of violence. When it comes to non-consent, then the fairytale "Sleeping Beauty" is a mainstream classic!

 

[oggbashan]

"Mainstream Classic" is not a good guide to what might be accepted at Literotica.

As a newbie, it would probably help if your first submissions stayed well within the accepted norms for this site.

 

[Aelfwen]

We have discussed category selection many times on the Authors' Hangout. You could search for threads with 'category' in the title.

But - some categories trump any other. If the story contains Gay Male, that's where it should go.

I shall try search again, but I did not seem to be able to get results in any searches. The message board layout s new to me and I have not quite figured out what all the buttons do.

 

[oggbashan]

This discussion is worthwhile reading:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=837141

As is this How-To:

https://www.literotica.com/s/love-your-readers-categories

 

[Aelfwen]

Thank you very much for those links.

I was trying to rush writing my first story, but you may be right in that I should probably not jump into the deep end at first go. I love the story and I cannot wait to share it, but I want it to be as perfect as I can make it. I have some other ideas I could play around with.

Off topic. I had a look at your stories and there is quite a few I find interesting.

 

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

Hello, I'm new here.

I was inspired to write a horror story for the halloween contest, but sadly I don't think I have enough time left to polish it. I would also like to run it past an editor and that I understand, takes time. It is my very first bit of erotica and I am still trying to overcome my nerves in publishing something so explicit and ... personal. I have read quite a few how-tos, but there are still a few questions I have.

- How do you decide what category the story will go into, when the story expands through several?

- The story has a non-consent occult theme, and as such it is bound to upset some readers. Should I include a short note before the story as a warning?

- Is there anything I should know to expect or know of before publishing a story here? I am aware of trolls hiding under the bridges, but are there other dangers I should be aware of?

I suppose, I would like to get to know this community a little better before I take the plunge.

I'm a newbie too!
It does take courage to submit your first story, I was so scared it would be rejected, and then when it was approved and people started reading it I was sure it would get no stars, or 1* only, but it has done ok.

There are people here that will edit for you. You can check here for one
https://www.literotica.com/editors/editors.php
Or post here
http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9
And once you have a editor that works well with you, you will have stuff edited quickly!

And welcome!

 

[Areala-chan]

Thank you for your very helpful answer. It has given me food for thought. What you said about the approval process is very re-assuring.

I have read the non-consent and horror category for years now, so I have some idea on what has been approved, but the lines seem drawn on sand. Fantastical elements seem to allow more leeway as well as plot driven stories. As a reader of horror stories, as well as the erotic ones, there is not much you can do without at least the threat of violence. When it comes to non-consent, then the fairytale "Sleeping Beauty" is a mainstream classic!

Glad I could help.