WELCOME TO THE FANFIC MAILING LIST FAQ!
==========================
LAST UPDATED: February 6, 1998
Updated Sections: - What is the fanfic mailing list?
- How do I subscribe to/unsubscribe from the ML?
- E-mail addresses for White Wolf and Tybalt
- How do I post to the ML?
- What can I post to the ML?
- What is SPAM?
- How large a file can I send to the ML?
- 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the list
down?'
- What's this about "subject tags"?
New Section: - What is an MST?
Deleted Section: - Is there an archive for stories posted to the ML?
* FAQ Co-Creators:
Andy Skuse (Panda) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress
askuse@execulink.com safyr@juno.com
* Current Maintainers:
Sapphire, The Blue Tigress Gary Kleppe
safyr@juno.com kleppe@execpc.com
If you have any questions or comments regarding this FAQ, or would like
the latest updated version, please E-mail either of the two addresses
above.
A text version of this FAQ can be found at:
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/woodcut/77/ffmlfaq.txt
Yoo C. Chung has put together an HTML version of the FFML FAQ at:
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq.html
***VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTES***
1) DO NOT POST TEST MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
If you think you've been unsubscribed or if you think the list is
down, see the section "* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the
list down?'"
2) DO NOT POST CHAIN MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
Be forewarned that anyone posting a chain message to the FFML will be
immediately banned. Chain messages include any E-mail that instructs the
recipient to forward it to as many people as possible, especially
computer virus warnings.
3) Gary and Sapphire have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the actual
list management itself. If you have a problem with the list, email
the list moderators. See section "* Who are the moderators of the
list?"
***IMPORTANT FAQ NOTE: For the following information about email
messages and requests, any word in square brackets should NOT include
the brackets with the word. The square brackets are used only to clarify
the word(s) they contain.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================
* What is the fanfic mailing list?
* How do I subscribe to/unsubscribe from the ML?
* How do I post to the ML?
* What can I post to the ML?
* What's this about "subject tags"?
* What about story format?
* Who are the moderators of the list?
* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the list down?'
* How large a file can I send to the ML?
* What is SPAM?
* Don't beat a dead horse.
* What is C&C?
* What is an MST?
* What is a 'LEMON' fanfic?
For information about fanfic related websites, newsgroups and irc, see
the "FFML Resources" guide. If you missed it when it was posted, send a
request to either of the FAQ Co-Maintainers listed at the top of this
FAQ. Or you can get it from the following websites:
A plain text version is at:
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/woodcut/77/ffmlgde.txt
HTMLized versions can be found at:
http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/Anime/FFML.Resource.Guide.html
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/resource-guide.html
====================
* WHAT IS THE FANFIC MAILING LIST?
The fanfic mailing list (ML) is a forum for authors and fans to discuss
fanfics (fanfiction stories) with an anime/manga theme that are posted
to the ML. Generally, this means stories involving settings, characters,
props, or attacks or any combination of the above from anime/manga.
And just in case you don't know what anime or manga is, anime refers
to Japanese animation (cartoons) and manga refers to Japanese
graphic novels (comic books).
====================
* HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE TO/UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE ML?
To SUBSCRIBE to the mailing list, send an email message with the words
[subscribe ffml] in the body of the message to
[fanfic-request@fanfic.com]. The subject does not matter. You will
receive an automatic reply from the server; follow the directions in the
reply, and you will be subscribed.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list, simply send a message with the
words [unsubscribe ffml] in the body of the message to
[fanfic-request@fanfic.com].
====================
* HOW DO I POST TO THE ML?
Send mail to [ffml@fanfic.com]. Anyone can post to the ML, even those
not subscribed to it. Before you send anything, please, please, PLEASE
read the rest of the FAQ, especially the following sections "What can I
post to the ML?"; "What is SPAM?"; "Don't beat a dead horse"; and the
first section of "What is C&C?" If you're new to the net or just need
to brush up on your netiquette, check out the following website:
http://www.fau.edu/rinaldi/net/index.htm
====================
* WHAT CAN I POST TO THE ML?
You can post stories, of course, story ideas, and C&C. Also, where to
find background and character information and questions and answers
about the same. Email people directly when answering a simple question
and don't forget to remind people to email you directly when answering
your question.
If you are looking for a chapter of a particular story and you know the
author's email address, please email the author first to request the
missing chapter instead of the ML. If you don't know the author's
address, try emailing someone else on the list who seems to have read
the fic or look in the Weekly Synopses lists at
http://pantheon.yale.edu/~mhc8/ffml-sl/ for information. Other ways of
obtaining missing or missed chapters are to check
the RAAC archives or the various FFML members' websites (see the "FFML
FAQ Resources" guide. Didn't get this? Email one of the FFML FAQ
Co-Maintainers and ask for a copy, or see the web addresses above).
This mailing list is mostly for stories not yet on
rec.arts.anime.creative, although there are exceptions such as if it's
not available via ftp anywhere or if the general consensus on the list
is to post it. Also, if you're posting the next part of a series that
has never been seen on the list before, post the previous parts unless
they're really big.
====================
* WHAT'S THIS ABOUT "SUBJECT TAGS"?
To help members of the list sort the mail they receive from the FFML
more efficiently please use the following tags in the subject header of
your posts to the FFML.
[Fanfic] = Marks a message as containing a fanfic story\chapter.
[C&C] = Message containing Comments & Criticisms on a fanfic.
[Spam], [Spamfic] = Self-explanatory. Sig characters go here. :)
[Info], [Announce] = Side notes, not quite spam, but not 'fics either.
[FAQ] = Frequently Asked Questions update or Resource Guide.
[Admin] = Moderators' (WW & Tybalt) use only. If a post comes over the
list with this tag, you should read it.
[Lemon] = See the section below on 'LEMON' fanfics.
Tags are also used to identify which series a fanfic is based on, e.g.
[Ranma], [BGC], [Inu-Yasha]. This will help direct your story toward
those who would like to read it. Other tags may indicate the general
tone of a fic, such as [Dark] or [WAFF] (the latter is an acronym for
Warm and Fuzzy Feeling).
====================
* WHAT ABOUT STORY FORMAT?
This is just to tell you to use US-ASCII characters and to wrap your
lines to about 74 characters a line or about 10 to 12 words a line.
Basically, whatever word processing program you use, save the story in
ASCII text format (the one with the extension .TXT). Don't use fancy
quotes and characters either; not all of these characters translate
very nicely to ASCII format.
Also, don't send it as an attachment; cut and paste the story in the
body of the message itself. Everyone has different mail readers and
these little formatting tricks makes it easier for more people to read
your story.
You also might want to note where to find previous parts or chapters
of the story. New list members are more likely to read that new
chapter if they can get their hands on the previous chapters.
You do want your story read, don't you?
====================
* WHO ARE THE MODERATORS OF THE LIST?
There are now two moderators as such of the FFML.
If you have any problems related to the list these are the folks to talk
to:
Tybalt at:
tybalt@fanfic.com
or
White Wolf at:
[wwolf@fanfic.com]
or
[fanfic-owner@fanfic.com]
====================
* 'I THINK I'VE BEEN UNSUBSCRIBED.' OR 'IS THE LIST DOWN?'
First, here's what NOT to do:
PLEASE DO NOT SEND TEST MESSAGES TO THE ML!!!
If you think the list is down, DON'T email the list!!! Ask one of the
moderators privately. Alternatively, E-mail another subscriber, or one
of the auxiliary lists (see the Resource Guide), and ask whether they
have been receiving list mail. If the list is down and you send a test
message, you're just making matters worse. And if the list isn't down
(or when it goes back up), you'll draw the wrath of the moderators down
on your head.
====================
* HOW LARGE A FILE CAN I SEND TO THE ML?
The current size limit for a single FFML post is 200 kilobytes. It's
certainly okay to write fanfics that exceed this size, but you should
break them down into 200 kb chunks for posting purposes. Just remember
to label the pieces so that readers will know which order they go in and
how many total parts there are. For example, if you have 3 parts, label
them Part 1/3, Part 2/3, Part 3/3. Also, try to put part numbers at the
beginning of the subject line, especially if you have a long subject
since the end may be lopped off.
A few subscribers may not be able to handle pieces of email as large as
200 kb. You may want to post in 100 kb or even smaller chunks to
accomodate them -- but that's up to you.
====================
* WHAT IS SPAM?
SPAM is junk mail/ off-topic conversation. DON'T SPAM a lot. We're a
pretty easy-going bunch about this, but if you don't stop when asked,
you may be banned from the list.
Tybalt <tybalt@fanfic.com>, who acts as FFML moderator to keep list
traffic at a manageable level, has the following policy on SPAM:
** Posts that are not allowed and can result in permanent banning:
Extremely offensive flames
Chain letters, especially virus warnings
Commercial solicitations
** Not allowed, may result in immediate temporary banning:
Test messages
Spam polls: off-topic surveys that ask for on-list responses
Continuation of a thread that has been banned by the moderators
Portrayals of the murdering of another author without permission (yes,
somebody actually did this).
** Not allowed, tempbanning may result for repeated offenses:
Controversial off-topic arguments
Fic requests (see below)
** Discouraged, tempbanning may result for excessive amounts:
"Me too"s -- posts that agree without adding anything
Character debates (e.g. "So-and-so is Ranma's Best Babe!")
Off-topic discussions
It is always a good idea to check through an entire thread before
posting in it. The question you are answering may have already been
answered, or the moderators may have already called a halt to the
thread.
Requests for fanfics should be emailed privately to the author(s). If
you don't know who the author of a fic is, try emailing someone else on
the list who seems to have read it or check the weekly synopses lists at
http://pantheon.yale.edu/~mhc8/ffml-sl/ Posting a fic request to the
list should be a LAST resort.
SPAM includes threads where a few people are replying to each other more
than twice a day so the list seems more like a conversation between two
or three people, and anything that would be better off emailed
privately. Don't forget that complaints about the amount of SPAM on the
list are SPAM themselves and tend to generate even more SPAM.
====================
* DON'T BEAT A DEAD HORSE
Threads that usually degenerate into SPAM, or are SPAM to start with,
are better not started on the list in the first place. If you really
have to ask about such topics on the list, make sure you remind everyone
to send responses PRIVATELY and not to the list. If you want to, you can
post the results of the PRIVATE discussions on the list afterwards.
- Romanji spelling. Especially, the 'u' argument. "Is Ryoga
spelled 'Ryoga' or 'Ryouga'? Just remember that there's more
than one 'official' system being used in the world today.
- Physics discussions. Anything from black holes to time travel.
Questions on these subjects may be E-mailed directly to Gary
<kleppe@execpc.com> for answering.
- Technical discussions. Mech designs, weapon comparisons, and
things that go boom.
- Character debates, such as those over who would make the best
spouse for character X or who would win in a fight between
characters Y and Z. (Characterization issues that are related to
a specific posted fic *are* fair game for the list, provided that
they are kept focussed and that the discussion stops when the
moderators ask that it do so.)
- Discussions of controversial topics like religion, politics, etc.
when not directly related to a particular posted fic.
====================
* WHAT IS C&C?
Comments and criticisms. Every author wants feedback on their stories
to help improve them. After all, this is what the list is really for.
When sending comments or criticisms to an author, there are a few things
to consider before posting your observations:
1) Lurk for a while before posting to the list. Spend some time getting
to know the FanFic ML. There is no better way to find out about
etiquette and 'unspoken' rules.
2) Some authors want comments on creative content (plot,
characterization, etc.) while others like a more detailed analysis of
their stories that includes technical aspects such as grammar and
spelling. Some authors greatly appreciate honest negative criticism,
while others would prefer those without anything nice to say to say
nothing at all. Often authors will indicate what kind of feedback they
are looking for in their authors' notes. If not, consider asking the
author via private email which type of response they would prefer.
3) Posting your C & C to the mailing list is fine unless the author
states otherwise. If an author specifically asks for private comments
then you should abide by their wishes.
4) In your C&C, quote however much (if any) of the story is necessary or
helpful for readers to understand what you are referring to. Sections
that you have no comment on should be snipped.
====================
* WHAT IS AN MST?
MST stands for Mystery Science Theater 3000, a cable TV show featuring a
man and two wisecracking robots. They are forced to watch bad movies,
and they make clever commentary on them as they go.
Fanfiction MSTs are based on the format of that show. In a fanfiction
MST, several characters (one of whom is usually the actual author of the
MST) read a fic and make running commentary.
It's important to note that an MSTing doesn't necessarily indicate a bad
fic. While it's true that some authors do MSTs to make fun of stories
that they didn't like, others do them for stories that they did like in
order to give them more exposure.
====================
* WHAT IS A 'LEMON' FANFIC?
'Lemons' are stories with explicit sexual content and should be labeled
as such in the [Subject:] field when posted. Not everyone on the ML is
over 21.
Example:
Subject: [LEMON] Story name
END OF FFML FAQ ------------------------